Faith was a band-leader, orchestrator, and composer best known for his arrangements of standard tunes using lush string sections and female choruses. The latter sometimes sang, most often they just vocalized without words.
Faith's live orchestra was a staple of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's live-music broadcasts from 1938 to 1940. After moving to the U.S., Faith made many recordings for Voice of America. After working briefly for Decca Records, he went to work for Mitch Miller at Columbia Records. There, he turned out dozens of albums and provided arrangements for many of the pop singers of the 1950s. The use of the female chorus really became a Percy Faith signature with his mid-late 1960's "Young Lovers" projects; it was also used in his final Holiday album, "Christmas Is," released in 1967.
Faith's most famous and best-remembered recordings are "Delicado" (1952), "Moulin Rouge" (1953) and "Theme from A Summer Place" (1960).
Spinning Wheel
Percy Faith Lyrics
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Spinning Wheel got to go 'round
Talkin' 'bout your troubles
It's a cryin' sin
Ride a painted pony
Let the Spinning Wheel spin
You got no money, you got no home
Spinning Wheel all alone
You never learn
Ride a painted pony
Let the Spinning Wheel turn
Did you find your directing sign
On the straight and narrow highway
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Just let it shine within your mind
And show you the colors that are real
Someone is waiting just for you
Spinning Wheel spinning true
Drop all you troubles by the river side
The lyrics to Percy Faith's "Spinning Wheel" touches upon life's many ups and downs. The opening verse talks about the cyclical nature of life, where what goes up must come down, and how one must embrace life's constant changes. The song encourages the listener to ride along with the ups and downs of life, with the instrumental "Spinning Wheel" acting as a metaphor for life itself. The lyrics suggest that by facing one's troubles head-on like a "cryin' sin," one can learn and grow. The painted pony signifies the metaphorical journey of life, with the spinning wheel representing the circle of life.
The next verse implies that sometimes life can be challenging, with the singer referring to someone who has "no money" and "no home." But the Spinning Wheel is always there, ready to turn, and urging the listener always to be ready to ride the painted pony. The song suggests that life comes with many lessons, but it is how one chooses to perceive them that makes all the difference. The chorus reiterates the call to action, encouraging the listener to ride the painted pony and let the Spinning Wheel turn.
The final verse references the idea of a sign to guide one's way through life. It encourages the listener to let a reflective sign shine a light on what is real and to guide them on the "straight and narrow highway" of life. The lyrics suggest that someone is waiting for the listener, and if they follow the Spinning Wheel's path, they will find the true meaning of life. The song ends with the directive to drop one's troubles by the river and let them wash away.
Line by Line Meaning
What goes up must come down
Everything that goes up will eventually come back down.
Spinning Wheel got to go 'round
Life must continue, with its ups and downs, good and bad times.
Talkin' 'bout your troubles
Complaining or discussing about your problems.
It's a cryin' sin
It's a pitiful thing to complain about troubles; it will eventually lead to sorrow.
Ride a painted pony
Take a chance, take a risk, or grab an opportunity.
Let the Spinning Wheel spin
Let life continue with its fluctuations.
You got no money, you got no home
You have no financial stability and no place to live.
Spinning Wheel all alone
Going through life's ups and downs alone.
Talkin' 'bout your troubles and you
You discussing, and creating more problems for yourself.
You never learn
You never gain knowledge or insight to make positive changes in your life.
Did you find your directing sign
Have you found your sense of direction on the path you're taking?
On the straight and narrow highway
On the path of righteousness or correctness.
Would you mind a reflecting sign?
Would you be open to reflecting on your life's journey?
Just let it shine within your mind
Allow yourself to feel insight and illumination within your mind.
And show you the colors that are real
Give you clarity of awareness about what truly matters, and what doesn't.
Someone is waiting just for you
Someone is looking for a person like you to share their life with.
Spinning Wheel spinning true
Life goes on; it's still spinning, true to its nature of ups and downs.
Drop all your troubles by the riverside
Let go of all your worries and concerns and find some peace at a calm and peaceful place.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Clayton-Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind