Yorn started as a drummer who also played guitar. In 1990, he was drumming for his band in a high school talent contest when someone suggested he sing the Replacements song "Talent Show." That went over so well, a competing band asked him to sing Neil Young’s "Rockin' In the Free World" with them.
He was first recognized when the Farrelly brothers picked "Strange Condition" for their film Me, Myself & Irene.
He has gained increasing popularity following the use of his song "Just Another" on popular WB television show Dawson's Creek.
Another of his songs, Murray was used in the credits of the film Igby Goes Down
The song "Undercover" was used in the first Spiderman movie and appears on the soundtrack.
The song "Lose You" was used in the closing of an episode of House on Fox.
Wheels
Pete Yorn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To take ourselves away
We got telephones
To say what we can say
We all got higher and higher everyday
Come on wheels
Take this boy away
We're not afraid to die
So come on wheels
Take me home today
Come on wheels
Take this boy away
Now when I feel
My time is almost up
And destiny is in my right hand
I'll turn to Him
Who made my faith so strong
Come on wheels
Make this boy a man
We're not afraid to ride
We're not afraid to die
Come on wheels
Take me home today
Come on wheels
Take this boy away
The lyrics for Pete Yorn’s song Wheels highlight the idea that we all have the ability to leave and escape from our current situation, whether that be physically or mentally. The opening lines “We’ve all got wheels to take ourselves away, we got telephones to say what we can say” suggest that we have the ability to leave and communicate with others about our departure. The repetition of “higher and higher everyday” could also be interpreted as growing dissatisfaction with one’s current situation, leading to the desire for change.
The chorus plays with the idea of fear and mortality, with Yorn proclaiming that “we’re not afraid to ride, we’re not afraid to die” which could either be seen as recklessness or as a willingness to take risks in order to achieve something greater. The song then takes a turn towards spirituality, with the final verse talking about turning to a higher power in times of doubt or struggle. This culmination of themes suggests that the song is ultimately about the search for purpose and the need to make changes in order to achieve that.
Overall, Wheels is a song that touches on themes of restlessness, risk-taking, and spirituality, all tied together with the idea of escape and the search for something better.
Line by Line Meaning
We've all got wheels
We all have the means and resources to escape from our current situations.
To take ourselves away
To physically or emotionally distance ourselves from our problems or challenges.
We got telephones
We have the ability to communicate with others and express our thoughts and feelings.
To say what we can say
To convey our deepest truths and emotions through our words and expressions.
We all got higher and higher everyday
We continuously strive to elevate ourselves and our experiences, in pursuit of growth and progress.
Come on wheels
Invoking the empowering and liberating force of our resources and abilities.
Take this boy away
Emphasizing the urge to break free from limitations and embark on a new journey.
We're not afraid to ride
We embrace challenges and risks, and do not shy away from them.
We're not afraid to die
We understand the impermanence of life, and accept it as a necessary part of our journey.
So come on wheels
Urging the wheels or resources to guide us further on our chosen path.
Take me home today
Implying the need to find a sense of belonging and peace, by embarking on a transformative journey.
Now when I feel
Presenting a moment of introspection and contemplation.
My time is almost up
Realizing the limited time we have left to achieve our goals and desires.
And destiny is in my right hand
Acknowledging our power to shape our own destiny, through our actions and choices.
I'll turn to Him
Seeking guidance and support from a higher power or spiritual belief.
Who made my faith so strong
Recognizing the role of faith and spirituality in building inner strength and resilience.
Make this boy a man
Expressing the desire to transform and evolve, from a state of uncertainty and doubt to one of strength and confidence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHRISTOPHER HILLMAN, GRAM PARSONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind