The Big Wheel
by Rush

Album: Roll The Bones (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Neil Peart ("Roll The Bones Radio Special"): "The Big Wheel is a good example on this album; where it seems to be autobiographical, but it's really not. It's where I've looked for a universal of that tradeoff between innocence and experience, and that song certainly addresses that. Not in the circumstances of my own life so much, or if it is, it's not important that it be autobiographical, that's just by the by really. Very much I want to find universal things that others can relate to, and that's a thing that's part of everyone's life, so I think that's probably one reason why I'm drawn to it. And then so much of it is drawn from observing people around me too, so that becomes a factor in it too; how they responded to life, and how they take to it. How they adapt to that innocence and experience thing." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington

Comments: 2

  • John from Overland Park, KsI have to agree with Joe Public. The bridge had some lyrics that I particularly liked: "Wheel turns round, landing on a leap of fate / Life redirected in ways unexpected / Sometimes the odd number wins." The twisting of the common phrases "leap of faith" and "twist of fate" I thought was particularly imaginative.
  • Joe Public from Anytown, AlThis is just an anthem for life and every young person's simple dreams. This is the way that ordinary people live. "Playing for time / Don't want to wait for heaven / Looking for love / For an angel to forgive my sins / Playing with fire / Chasing something new to believe in / Looking for love / The way the big wheel spins."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.