There is more than one artist with this name:

1) The Cardinals forme… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:

1) The Cardinals formed in Baltimore in 1946 as the Mellotones by Leon Hardy (bass), Merredith Brothers (tenor), Donald Johnson (baritone) and Ernie Warren (lead). Jack Aydelotte (tenor, guitar) was added and they signed to Atlantic in 1951. Atlantic renamed them the Cardinals to avoid confusion with another Mellotones signed to Columbia. First single ‘Shouldn’t I know?’ was released in May 1951 and reached number 7 on the R’n’B charts. Third single ‘Wheel of fortune’, a cover of a white hit, reached number 6 on the R’n’B charts in 1952. Ernie Warren was drafted and replaced by Leander Tarver, then James Brown (not the famous one), but was back in time for their last hit, ‘The door is still open’, which reached number 4 R’n’B in 1954. The Cardinals released 12 singles for Atlantic and toured throughout this period, finally splitting at the beginning of 1957. Ernie Warren formed a new Cardinals in 1958. They toured into the 1960s before going their separate ways.

2) The Cardinals is a Manchester band. (http://www.myspace.com/thecardinalsmanchester)

3) The Cardinals was a Czechoslovak bigbeat group.

Wheel of Fortune
The Cardinals Lyrics

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KAY STARR VERSION
The wheel of fortune
Goes spinning around
Will the arrow point my way?
Will this be my day?

Oh, wheel of fortune
Please don't pass me by

Let me know the magic of
A kiss and a sigh

While the wheel is spining, spinning, spinning
I'll not dream of winning fortune or fame
While the wheel is turning, turning, turning
I'll be yearning, yearning
For love's precious flame

Oh, wheel of fortune
I'm hoping somehow
If you ever smile on me
Please let it be now

While the wheel is spining, spinning, spinning
I'll not dream of winning fortune or fame
While the wheel is turning, turning, turning
I'll be yearning, yearning
For love's precious flame

Oh, wheel of fortune
I'm hoping somehow

If you ever smile on me
Please let it be now

Overall Meaning

The Cardinals' song "Wheel of Fortune" is a bluesy track that explores the idea of chance and luck. The lyrics describe the titular "wheel of fortune" as it spins around, with the singer wondering if the arrow will point towards them, and if the day will be theirs for success and happiness. The song is full of longing and desperation, as the singer pleads with the wheel to not pass them by and to let them feel the magic of love. The repetition of the phrase "while the wheel is turning, turning, turning" emphasizes the uncertainty of life and the idea that everything can change in a moment, for better or worse.

The song's melancholic tone is complemented by the smooth, soulful vocals of the lead singer. The use of brass instruments, such as the trombone and trumpet, adds a touch of jazz to the mix, giving the song a slightly more upbeat and optimistic feel towards the end. The lyrics suggest that the singer isn't necessarily focused on winning "fortune or fame," but rather on finding love and companionship, as they yearn for the "precious flame" of affection.

Line by Line Meaning

The wheel of fortune
Life's unpredictable nature

Goes spinning around
Moves constantly and relentlessly

Will the arrow point my way?
Am I going in the right direction?

Will this be my day?
Will I have a breakthrough or success?

Oh, wheel of fortune
Reference to life's unpredictability

Please don't pass me by
Don't let me miss out on opportunities

Let me know the magic of
Give me a glimpse into the wonder of

A kiss and a sigh
The beauty of a romantic moment

While the wheel is spining, spinning, spinning
During life's constant motion

I'll not dream of winning fortune or fame
I won't focus on mere material success

While the wheel is turning, turning, turning
During life's unpredictable twists and turns