She released her self-titled debut in 1987, and released "Mountain Soul II" on September 29, 2009.
Following throat surgery to repair her vocal chords, she released the album Only What I Feel in 1993 to the best reviews of her career and won multiple awards.
Patty Loveless has been one of the most popular country singers. According to her website, as of 2019 she has had 21 album releases, including 4 that went platinum and 3 that went gold, and nine #1 hits.
Nothin' But The Wheel
Patty Loveless Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out here underneath the stars
I've been flying past the houses, farms and fields
Leaving all I know back there
Rushing through the cold night air
And I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
Staying clear of the interstate
Trying to explain the way I feel
Till all at once it's half past three
And it's down, to just the trucks and me
And I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
I've been trying to drive you off my mind
Maybe that way baby I can leave it all behind
And forty-one goes on and on
And the lights go winding in the dawn
The sky's the color now of polished steel
And the only thing I know for sure
Is if you don't want me anymore
Then I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
And the only thing I know for sure
Is if you don't want me anymore
Then I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
The song "Nothin' But The Wheel" by Patty Loveless is a ballad that tells a story of a person who is driving at night, most likely trying to leave behind a past lover. The lyrics describe the driver as being on a rural road, traveling past farms and fields, and staying clear of the interstate roads. As the night progresses, the driver finds solace in the solitude of the journey, with nothing but the wheel to hold on to. The song's chorus "And the only thing I know for sure, is if you don't want me anymore, then I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel" serves as a reminder of the painful reality of unrequited love.
The lyrics of the song evoke a sense of loneliness, heartbreak, and restlessness that comes with trying to move on from a past love. The chorus particularly portrays the singer feeling like they are holding on to something intangible as they try to move forward with their life, and the only thing they have left is the steering wheel. This song's evocative lyrics can resonate with anyone who has experienced a broken heart and has cherished the feeling of solitude that comes from driving alone in the night.
Line by Line Meaning
Way on past the boulevards
I have left the familiar city streets behind and am traveling further away.
Out here underneath the stars
I am now in a more open and natural environment on my journey.
I've been flying past the houses, farms and fields
I have been traveling at a fast pace while passing by the rural landscape.
Leaving all I know back there
I have left behind all that is familiar and comfortable to me.
Rushing through the cold night air
I am speeding through the chilly darkness on my journey.
And I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
I am relying solely on my driving abilities and willpower to push through this journey.
Staying clear of the interstate
I am avoiding the main roads and highways that most people use for travel.
I'm seeking out those old two lanes
I am searching for the smaller, less traveled roads on my journey.
Trying to explain the way I feel
I am attempting to make sense of my emotions while I drive alone.
Till all at once it's half past three
Suddenly, without warning, time has flown by and it is now very early in the morning.
And it's down, to just the trucks and me
At this hour, there are only large vehicles traveling alongside me.
And I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
At this point in the journey, I am relying solely on my ability to drive.
I've been trying to drive you off my mind
I am attempting to push thoughts of a past love out of my head.
Maybe that way baby I can leave it all behind
I hope that by doing this, I can move on and leave my emotional baggage in the past.
And forty-one goes on and on
My journey continues along route 41, seemingly without end.
And the lights go winding in the dawn
As the sun begins to rise, the winding roads seem to be illuminated by its light.
The sky's the color now of polished steel
The sky is now a dark and metallic color, which matches the tone of my journey.
And the only thing I know for sure
Despite all of the unknowns on my journey, I am sure of one thing.
Is if you don't want me anymore
That if my past love no longer wants me, I am prepared to face that reality and move forward.
Then I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
This journey has become a metaphor for my life, where I am forced to rely solely on myself to keep moving forward.
And the only thing I know for sure
I reiterate my previous thought, that I am certain of one thing on this journey.
Is if you don't want me anymore
If my past love no longer feels the same way about me, I am ready to create a new life for myself, free from the baggage of the past.
Then I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
If I have nothing left to hold on to in my life, I still have my own willpower and ability to navigate my journey.
I'm holding on to nothin' but the wheel
This final statement summarizes the metaphorical nature of my journey, where I am forced to rely only on my own abilities to keep moving forward in life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LiveAcousticRock
This! Right here folks, is the true voice of country music.
There isn't a Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, , or any of these, so called country gals today, that can hold a candle to this gem of an artist named Patty Loveless.
Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis, Martina McBride, etc were the greats of traditional country music in the 80's 90's and early 2000's
What is called country today, for the most part, is nothing more than a crappy mix of pop, and rap.
The heart and soul of country music died years ago, and I don't see it ever returning.
The industry is catering to tweens, teens, and 20 something's.
I doubt seriously there are many 30, 40, 50, 60, year old people, or above out there who are spending their money on the crap country music execs are putting out there today.
If you want real country, dial back the clock to the days when country was country.
Start with Hank and work your way up from there to the 90's.
Yep! That's when country was country.
@aliciaclark9757
Congrats on making the country music hallofame. I really love
Your music. Your my hero your one of the best and so is Loretta
And patsy cline . I love you with
All my heart and soul.
Lots of hugs and kisses from me
To you.i will always love you
Deap down in my heart , you'll
Always better then new arrest
Out there. I love you! ❤
@MeetMeUndertheMoon-ui7jf
Miss Patty, if you're listenin', those of us who were in our glory days when you were on the radio all the time have missed you so much!
@chrisj8306
This is one of the best-written songs ever. I saw Patti live at the Springfield Fair in Massachusetts and she left the stage at the end of her performance. I screamed at the top of my lungs for "Nothing but the wheel". After 5 minutes or so, folks were starting to clear out, and all of the sudden, everyone heard Patti (Not on stage) say. "I heard that", then she walked back out on stage and said "This is for the guy back there" and she pointed straight at me and I nearly passed out. She did an extended version and it was "PURE GOLD"
@cmtouchette500
Now, this made me cry. What an amazing experience, Chris!
@nvrumi
That's a great story!
@wlg4rwg
Massachusetts. Imagine that. You were pointed out.
@c.d.7742
@@nvrumi And Patty is an amazing woman to do that for one of her fans.
@melissagregoire9278
You lucky, lucky dog you!!😅
@LiveAcousticRock
This! Right here folks, is the true voice of country music.
There isn't a Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, , or any of these, so called country gals today, that can hold a candle to this gem of an artist named Patty Loveless.
Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis, Martina McBride, etc were the greats of traditional country music in the 80's 90's and early 2000's
What is called country today, for the most part, is nothing more than a crappy mix of pop, and rap.
The heart and soul of country music died years ago, and I don't see it ever returning.
The industry is catering to tweens, teens, and 20 something's.
I doubt seriously there are many 30, 40, 50, 60, year old people, or above out there who are spending their money on the crap country music execs are putting out there today.
If you want real country, dial back the clock to the days when country was country.
Start with Hank and work your way up from there to the 90's.
Yep! That's when country was country.
@dwhunter8904
Man them mountain gals can sing. That mountain soul sound cannot be bought, taught or faked. She has it. My favorite female singer.
@plymouthfurious
Great Comment. So true. It can't be taught.