At the time of the song's composition, the band had decided to follow a new direction into an edgier sound and began recording simple hard rock pieces with the new lead vocalist Fleischman. He was replaced by Steve Perry once work on Infinity began in earnest. The song started as a poem titled "Wheels In My Mind", written by Diane Valory, the wife of Journey bassist Ross Valory.
Cash Box said it has "tight lick guitar work and effective lead and backing vocals."
"Wheel in the Sky" reached #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978, becoming Journey's first song to chart on the Hot 100, and also reached #45 on the Canadian RPM 100.
The narrator of "Wheel in the Sky" describes the newly arrived winter, as he is lamenting not having been home "in a year or more." He is missing home and longing to return and reconnect with an unnamed woman, and he hopes that "she holds on a little bit longer." He sings forlornly of "running down a dusty road" and admits, "I can't take this very much longer."
Throughout the refrain narrator notes the "wheel in the sky" which "keeps on turning," and hence can be interpreted as Diane Valory's metaphor for the various twists and turns of the narrator's life on the road as he repeatedly emphasizes, "I don't know where I'll be tomorrow." Alternatively, the wheel in the sky has often denoted the sun, which "keeps turning" in its apparent revolutions around the earth, and with each successive turn marks the passage of another day, bringing one closer to an anticipated date or event, and in this case the narrator's reunion with the woman.
Wheel in the Sky
Journey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haven't been home in a year or more
I hope she holds on a little longer
Sent a letter on a long summer day
Made of silver, not of clay
Ooh, I've been runnin' down this dusty road
Ooh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
I don't know where I'll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
I've been trying to make it home
Got to make it before too long
Ooh, I can't take this very much longer, no
I'm stranded in the sleet and rain
Don't think I'm ever gonna make it home again
The morning sun is risin'
It's kissin' the day
Ooh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
I don't' know where I'll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin', whoa, whoa, whoa
My, my, my, my, my
For tomorrow
Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
Ooh, I don't know where I'll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps me yearnin'
Ooh, I don't know, I don't know where
Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
Ooh, I don't know where I'll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
Ooh, I don't know, I don't know, I don't know
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
Don't know where I'll be tomorrow
Ooh, the wheel in the sky keeps turnin'
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
The lyrics to Journey’s Wheel in the Sky tell the story of a man who has been away from home for quite a long time and is eager to return. He is uncertain about his future and where he will end up, but he is determined to make it home. He is feeling stranded and alone in the cold and wet weather, and he is unsure if he will ever be able to make it back to the one he loves. As he makes his journey, he is constantly reminded of the “wheel in the sky” that keeps turning, symbolizing the constant movement and change in life.
The song is poignantly written with a lot of emotion underlying the lyrics. The story being told is relatable to anyone who has experienced the feeling of homesickness or uncertainty. The use of the phrase “wheel in the sky” is especially evocative, suggesting the cycles of life, the inevitability of change, and the fact that we are constantly moving forward in time. The repetition of the chorus is also powerful, emphasizing the sense of endless motion and the fact that the singer of the song has no control over his fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Winter is here again, oh Lord
The singer is experiencing winter and expresses their hopelessness to God.
Haven't been home in a year or more
The singer has been away from home for an extended period of time.
I hope she holds on a little longer
The singer is concerned about the well-being of someone close to them.
Sent a letter on a long summer day
The artist sent a written message during the summer.
Made of silver, not of clay
The letter was well-crafted and of high value.
I've been runnin' down this dusty road
The singer has been traveling on a difficult path for some time.
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
Life goes on, and things continue to move forward.
I don't know where I'll be tomorrow
The artist is uncertain about their future and where they will end up.
I've been trying to make it home
The artist's goal is to return home.
Got to make it before too long
The artist feels a sense of urgency about reaching their destination.
I can't take this very much longer
The singer is at their breaking point and can no longer handle their current circumstances.
I'm stranded in the sleet and rain
The artist is in a difficult and unpleasant situation.
Don't think I'm ever gonna make it home again
The singer has lost hope of ever reaching their destination.
The mornin' sun is risin'
A new day has begun.
It's kissin' the day
The sun is shining down on the world.
Oh the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the ongoing nature of life's journey.
I don't' know where I'll be tomorrow
Repeating the chorus to emphasize that the future is uncertain.
Ooh the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin'
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the ongoing nature of life's journey.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Diane T. Valory, Neal Joseph Schon, Robert Fleischmann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bbluemicks
It's 2024 and A Huge YES !!! I still listen to Journey, I'm 75 yrs old and I've followed Journey Journey since day 1!! Steve Perry is #, so gifted and no one can replace him ! It's not just music we hear, it's words and music! Happy New Year to anyone who reads this! And always remember, it's words that touch the heart and soul and the music that brings it full circle.
@ginnieperslin1208
1/22/24. My and Steve Perry's birthday. His 75th and my 60th. Still love their music.
@simonekalina5679
🎉❤@@ginnieperslin1208
@ladyjc7273
I’m 34 and Journey was my first favorite band. Love them! Happy New Year!
@tolgakirbiyik796
To new years every time you listen. A beautiful song of good times for sure
@seekthe9
So you were a fan of Journey before Steve joined? I just learned recently that they had 3 albums before him! I agree Steve Perry is UNRIVALED, but the guy touring with them since 2008 and currently, is actually really good!
@Michael-it7if
This song is by far my favorite Journey song. Sound is great, got some piano parts in it, and Steve Perry is absolutely on point. Stunning voice. God given talent. Purely magical.
@yolandamakintubee9713
Not to Mention he's so hot
@kennek6224
fallen angel wants to go back home to heaven
@user-ee8du9op1b
One of the best voices in history