The band is rooted in musical styles that explore the territories between blues and bluegrass, old-time sing-alongs and foot-stompin’ fiddle tunes. They are subtle innovators who respect the past but whistle their own tunes, layering in rich textures and decidedly modern energy to forge a new sound.
They fit best among musicians like Langhorne Slim, Gillian Welch, or Adrienne Young and Little Sadie (with whom they’ve shared the stage) – deft musicians making a name for themselves by creating their own particular permutation of traditional forms. Yet the Steel Wheels share much with new Americana favorites like the Avett Brothers or Old Crow Medicine Show, with charisma that causes toes to tap and heads to nod, audiences hanging on their every word. Like those bands, The Steel Wheels have broad appeal. And they count among their fans former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune and indie folk darlings Over the Rhine.
The four-piece band is based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where multi-instrumentalist Jay Lapp was born and took inspiration from church hymns and folk fests, and where Trent Wagler has been a scene staple for nearly a decade. Lapp was touring with several successful Midwest bands when he and Wagler crossed paths in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and a musical partnership began. The two are joined by upright bassist Brian Dickel and fiddler Eric Brubaker to form the Steel Wheels. The band shines exceptionally in their live shows, and their palpable chemistry translates easily to Red Wing. Just listen to the exceptional four-part harmonies that support and accentuate Wagler’s scratchy tenor, which has been compared to that of Darrel Scott. Brubaker’s fiddle, both lively and evocative, suits the band exactly, and Dickel’s upright bass grounds the outfit. Jay Lapp’s signature mandolin style is remarkable and unmistakable.
The Steel Wheels have built a following from the East Coast to the Midwest and beyond, appearing at Americana festivals such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival, Floydfest, Folk Alliance, and Appalachian Uprising. Wagler and Lapp also regularly take a duo show to Ireland and have appeared with Peter Rowan at the ‘Ards International Guitar Festival.
In keeping with their music that takes a traditional idea on a modern adventure, Wagler and Lapp’s organized a week-long, 300-mile bicycle tour last year. Not only did they pedal themselves through the mountains of Virginia to seven gigs in seven days, they hauled their own gear the whole way, with one bicycle custom-framed for travel and another fitted with a trailer. It’s one more example that with inherent skill and energy, trust in the value of simplicity and a marked talent for taking something old-fashioned and making it relevant for today is one of The Steel Wheels’ greatest strengths.
Help Me
The Steel Wheels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So what do I have to give you?
You were air and I was lung
I'd have another day to live through
But it's shaky ground from where I stand
This blanket's made of gravel
You were water and I am land
I can't see which way to travel
Beg, steal, or borrow
Help me, help me if you can
Let's sing about tomorrow
I worked the ground with these two hands
But now no work seems to find me
Older bones can't work the land
And all the owners still survive me
Tell me, tell me if you can
The next town isn't sorrow
Tell me, tell me if you can
That there's work upon the morrow
Everywhere you go, there's a wind that blows
We are all in tow, everywhere you go
Years they come and go like rain
But these rock are never changing
Wounded when I know my name
This world will rearrange me
Help me, help me if you can
The future will reward you
Help me, help me if you can
May the universe record you
In "Help Me" by The Steel Wheels, the singer is in a state of uncertainty and is seeking help from someone else. The first stanza highlights the singer's perceived sense of inadequacy. They feel that there are "notes that can't be sung" and wonders what they have to offer. The singer compares themselves to their partner, who was once the air to their lung. They long for another day to live through, but they cannot seem to find steady ground. The metaphor of a blanket made of gravel conveys a sense of uneasiness and discomfort in one's situation, and the contrast between being water and land suggests a disconnect between the two.
The chorus repeats the singer's request for help. They are pleading for assistance in any way possible, whether it be through begging, stealing, or borrowing. The second half of the chorus offers a more hopeful tone through the suggestion of singing about tomorrow. The second verse outlines the singer's struggles with finding work. They once worked the ground with their own hands, but now older bones prevent them from doing so. Meanwhile, the "owners" still manage to survive. The singer asks about the next town, seeking reassurance that it will offer more than just sorrow, and that there will be work available for them.
The bridge presents a universal truth that we are all affected by the winds of change in one way or another. The singer remarks on how quickly time passes, and the final stanza shows that the world will continue to change and wound them. But, the singer remains hopeful that the future will reward those who help them, and the "universe will record" any generosity.
Line by Line Meaning
There are notes that can't be sung
Some experiences are indescribable
So what do I have to give you?
What can I offer to make a difference?
You were air and I was lung
You were vital to me, as I was to you
I'd have another day to live through
I wish for more time to address my problems
But it's shaky ground from where I stand
My situation is uncertain and unstable
This blanket's made of gravel
My circumstances are harsh and uncomfortable
You were water and I am land
You were fluid and adaptable, while I am rigid
I can't see which way to travel
I am lost and unsure of my next steps
Help me, help me if you can
I need your assistance and support
Beg, steal, or borrow
By any means necessary
Let's sing about tomorrow
Let's remain hopeful about the future
I worked the ground with these two hands
I put in the hard work and effort
But now no work seems to find me
My efforts are not yielding results
Older bones can't work the land
I am getting too old for manual labor
And all the owners still survive me
The wealthy are benefiting while I am struggling
Tell me, tell me if you can
Can you give me any reassurance?
The next town isn't sorrow
The future holds promise and possibilities
That there's work upon the morrow
Tomorrow holds opportunities for employment
Everywhere you go, there's a wind that blows
Change is constant and inevitable
We are all in tow, everywhere you go
We are all affected by these changes
Years they come and go like rain
Time passes quickly and without warning
But these rock are never changing
The challenges I face are constant and unforgiving
Wounded when I know my name
I feel vulnerable when faced with my own identity
This world will rearrange me
The world will constantly challenge and shape me
The future will reward you
Hard work and dedication will pay off in the end
May the universe record you
Your accomplishments will be recognized and remembered
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.