Watching the Wheels
John Lennon
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People say I'm crazy Doing what I'm doing Well, they give me all kinds of warnings To save me from ruin When I say that I'm okay, well they look at me kinda strange "Surely, you're not happy now, you no longer play the game" People say I'm lazy Dreaming my life away Well they give me all kinds of advice Designed to enlighten me When I tell them that I'm doing fine watching shadows on the wall "Don't you miss the big time boy, you're no longer on the ball?" I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round I really love to watch them roll No longer riding on the merry-go-round I just had to let it go Ah, people ask me questions Lost in confusion Well, I tell them there's no problem Only solutions Well, they shake their heads and they look at me, as if I've lost my mind I tell them there's no hurry, I'm just sitting here doing time I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round I really love to watch them roll No longer riding on the merry-go-round I just had to let it go I just had to let it go I just had to let it go
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11 facts about this song
Composer and Artist"Watching the Wheels" is a song by the renowned English singer-songwriter John Lennon, who was a co-founder of the world-famous band The Beatles. Yoko Ono, Lennon's wife, was the co-producer of the song alongside John Lennon and Jack Douglas.
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Track's PurposeThe song functions as John Lennon’s response to those who questioned his "househusband" period. After Lennon left The Beatles, he decided to leave the music industry temporarily to bring up his son, Sean, which many didn't understand.
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Album and Release"Watching the Wheels" is a track from John Lennon and Yoko Ono's fifth and final studio album together called "Double Fantasy." The album was released on November 17, 1980.
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Song ReleaseThe song was released posthumously as a single in 1981 after Lennon's assassination in December 1980.
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Chart Performance"Watching the Wheels" did well on music charts, reaching No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart.
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Song's CompositionThe song is composed in the key of C major. It follows a tempo of 74 beats per minute, giving it a laidback and contemplative vibe.
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Music VideoA homemade music video was created featuring footage filmed by Yoko Ono around 1973 at the St. Regis Hotel and Central Park, both in New York City.
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Cover VersionsThe song has been covered by several artists including Eddie Vedder, Matisyahu, and Chris Cornell, attesting to its enduring popularity.
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Popular AppealDespite the fact that more than four decades have passed since its release, "Watching the Wheels" remains a fan favorite and is widely celebrated for its heartfelt and deeply personal message.
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Song MeaningThe song reflects Lennon's contentment with his family life and his decision to step back from the music business to spend time with his son, as he sings about the joys of "[watching] the wheels go round and round" rather than being part of the "merry-go-round." It speaks to Lennon's priority shift towards his personal life and enjoying the simpler things in life.
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Critical ReceptionInitially, the album and the song received mixed reception due to Lennon's departure from the political and social themes that colored his earlier solo work. However, over time, "Watching the Wheels" has been reevaluated and acclaimed for its introspective lyrics and mature sound.
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"Watching the Wheels Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Sep. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/7325072/John+Lennon/Watching+the+Wheels>.
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