1) American rockabilly revivalist Robert Gordon (March 29, 1947 – October 18, 2022) grew up in Bethesda, M.D., a suburb of Washington D.C. Unlike many of his heroes, he had a relatively comfortable childhood. At a young age, after hearing Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel, he was inspired to choose R'n'R as his future career path, according to Wikipedia. In the mid-seventies Gordon was a part of the then-flourishing downtown NYC punk scene, fronting the CBGB regulars, Tuff Darts (who appear on an early CBGB live compilation album). After recording one album with the band ("All for the Love of Rock 'n' Roll) he parted ways with the band to work with such artists as Link Wray and Chris Spedding, both of whom share a love for early rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. Bruce Springsteen wrote the song, Fire, for Gordon and played piano on the studio version which also features the guitar-legend Link Wray.
Official site
2) Robert Gordon is a Sheffield-based producer and co-founder of Warp Records. Most of his output is under pseudonyms (including "Track With No Name" as Forgemasters which was Warp's first release), but he has put out a handful of EPs and a full-length under his own name.
Drivin' Wheel
Robert Gordon Lyrics
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Can't be sold and it can't be bought
Love don't try to be something it's not
All I need is a love that's real
Love won't rob and love won't steal
Love that moves like a drivin' wheel
Well, all I want is a drivin' wheel
Well, all I want is a drivin' wheel
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All I want is a love that's right
To hold on to with all my might
Early in the morning and late at night
All I need is a love that's real
Love won't rob and love won't steal
Love that moves like a drivin' wheel
Well, all I want is a drivin' wheel
All I want is a drivin' wheel
All round up, is my ideal
The lyrics to Robert Gordon's "Drivin' Wheel" are about the singer's desire for a genuine, passionate love that cannot be bought or sold. He emphasizes that love should not try to be something it's not and should not rob or steal from those involved. He longs for a love that is constant, strong and unchanging like a "drivin' wheel". The repeated refrain of "All I want is a drivin' wheel" shows the singer's desperate need for this type of love in his life.
The image of a "drivin' wheel" is a metaphor for a love that is powerful and can endure through anything. Just as a wheel keeps moving forward and never stops, the singer's love should keep moving forward and never waver. The lyrics also highlight the singer's trust in love and his willingness to hold on to it through thick and thin. He recognizes that love is not always easy, but he still desires a real and authentic love in his life.
Overall, the song is about the search for a profound and lasting love that can withstand the test of time. The singer recognizes the importance of having a love that is genuine and true, and the lyrics speak to his desire for that type of love in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
All I want is a love that's hot
I want a passionate love that burns bright
Can't be sold and it can't be bought
This kind of love cannot be purchased or bartered for
Love don't try to be something it's not
Love is genuine and true, it doesn't pretend to be anything other than itself
All I need is a love that's real
I seek a love that is authentic and honest
Love won't rob and love won't steal
A true love won't take anything away from me, but instead will add to my life
Love that moves like a drivin' wheel
I desire a love that is powerful and unstoppable, like a wheel that propels and guides an automobile
Well, all I want is a drivin' wheel
My deepest desire is to have a love that is as strong as a drivin' wheel
All round up, is my ideal
I want everything to be perfect, with all aspects of my life and relationship in harmony
All I want is a love that's right
I want a love that feels correct and true, rather than forced or inauthentic
To hold on to with all my might
This love is worth holding onto and fighting for with all my strength
Early in the morning and late at night
I want to be with this love at all times, from sunrise to sunset
All I want is a drivin' wheel
Once again, my greatest wish is to have a powerful and unstoppable love driving my life forward
All round up, is my ideal
I still seek a perfect harmony in all aspects of my life
Contributed by Evan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.