| Nick Drake – Rider On The Wheel Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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As someone who relates a lot to Nick Drake, I think there is a very clear message in this song about not being able to relate to most people and feeling different from practically everyone. "And now you know my name," fairly literal, or basically you can communicate with me on a surface level. "But I don't feel the same" feel like an outsider, don't want to engage in surface level conversation. "But I ain't gonna blame the rider on the wheel," What is the rider on the wheel? Simple, the wheel is Earth, and everyone is a rider on it, but I think the simplification of life is specifically referring to simple people; people who live through life happily, do the normal things, don't do anything too bad or too good, and then disappear in history. These people make up most of humanity and there is no reason to try to change them or hold animosity towards them for being the way they are. Another interpretation is that he identifies that we are all riders on thee wheel, so we are all the same, so even if you feel different, you are acting the way you are and so are others, don't blame the rider on the wheel. The second verse is fairly literal to me; his music is not reaching anyone because it has not had time to get around, and it is really ahead of its time, but it holds truth for everyone. Third verse is about the absurdity of life. "Round and round we go," the Earth hurls across the universe. "Take it fast and slow" its just the way life works. "Must keep up a show, for the rider on the wheel," act like someone your not throughout society. |
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