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 asking 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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Lyrics submitted bykevin
Watching the Wheels Lyrics as written by John Lennon
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
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Watching The Wheels song meanings
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+15
Memory
Every time I hear this song I can't help but tear up.
I was a photojournalist that worked my way up to a major newspaper in a highly competitive field. Eventually I became director of photography. I didn't like the person I had become. I had ulcers. My marriage and kids were suffering. So, "I just had to let it go."
I completely threw away my 15-year photojournalism career in a blink of an eye to become a wedding photographer, and stay-at-home Dad during the week. People DID say I was crazy. People did try to give me advice on why I should get back in the game. I lost my friends who could no longer relate to me. People judged me for "losing my ambition." I lost the identity I had my entire adult life.
One day, this song came on the radio and I realized every word of it could be the anthem for what I was going through. My eyes filled up with tears and I just started crying. It was as if I had finally gotten the opportunity to grieve over the loss of a loved one–my former identity.
See AlsoThe Meaning Behind “Watching the Wheels” by John LennonThe Meaning Behind The Song: Watching The Wheels by John Lennon - Old Time MusicHere was John Lennon telling me it was okay to make the choice I had made. That I wasn't crazy after all. That everybody else might not understand, but that is okay as long as I do.
Ever since that moment, this song has been the anthem for my life. The ultimate symbol for empowering yourself to take charge of your life, control your own destiny and let others think whatever they are going to think.
Thank you so much John Lennon.
srkeeganon June 28, 2012Link
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+7
General Comment
It is also about how the physical world is an illusion and that he is just doing his time before he moves on to a higher state of being. He figured out that blaming government, people, etc. doesnt work and that we are all just water from different rivers all on different stages of spiritual evolution so he cant blame someone for not understanding because he is blaming himself
dynabol17on June 11, 2003Link
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+5
Song Meaning
I'm not sure if anyone's mentioned this already, but when Lennon wrote the "watching shadows on the wall" bit I'm sure he must be referring to Plato's "Allegory of the Cave". I've always liked that part.
Meadyon February 08, 2013Link
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+4
General Comment
I can see it as being more about people who are driven by materialism rather than religion. They see anyone who doesn't feel the need to succeed financially as being misguided.
purrbiscuiton June 19, 2003Link
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+4
General Comment
It's one of the greateste Lennon's songs and unfortunately, one of his last songs :(, the song talks about what people said to him when he was just having a rest with his son Sean and he was no longer on the music business.
HaiZuKion June 24, 2003Link
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+2
General Comment
i think the songs means he's taking a break from the world from fame and all the rest and he's relaxing watching the wheel of the world spin
shamon July 30, 2005Link
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+1
General Comment
HaiZuKi is exactly right-It was about people trying to motivate him to re-enter the music business when he was perfectly content just staying at home raising his son.
tripperfreekon December 11, 2004Link
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+1
General Comment
I love this song because it kinda describes me and what I want. I really don't care about money, or a big job, or any of that. I don't feel the need to become rich. I also don't believe in god in the sense of a big being in the sky. Im not atheist but thats a different story. This song is really cool and sadly, it was one of John's last.
MGM777on April 08, 2005Link
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+1
General Comment
i wish he was still alive ..i think the world would be a better place if he was till here
sweetkungfumasteron January 30, 2006Link
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+1
General Comment
As I grow older (41 at the moment), this song takes on deeper meaning. I see many people struggling and fighting so hard for the things they think they need, the things they believe will define and complete them, and yet I feel no need to struggle so hard for things that ultimately mean so little.
My hope is that with time, others will see that all we really need to pursue is inner happiness.
IslandMykon November 02, 2007Link
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