Human Wheels

You know, It dissapoints me a bit to see no comments on such an amazing song. The first verse, to me, is making a statement about the vastness of the world, and how insignificant a single human life is to it. "Unequal to the sweeping curve of life,stand on this single print of time." The meaning I take from the chorus is a sort of realization of the difference the human race in general does make, stating that "human wheels" keep the world moving forward."While the clock keeps the pace" I guess could refer to the keeping of history;but seeing how humans keep the world going does "help the light to my face" I am not quite sure about the second verse, though it seems almost to refer to a dissapointing or dismal part of the timeline. The meaning of the third verse seems like a simple enough meaning. Keep im mind,this is simply my opinion,I would love to hear other people's interpretations of the lyrics.I have another theory about the point of view the song is coming from, but I want to read other people's ideas.

I always took the "human wheels" to be about alienation of labour - Peoples lives tick away, just wheels in the machine, while the world sweeps around, huge and incomprehensible and wonderful, which the narrator grieves at, but refuses to relinquish the idea. I may be strongly influenced by knowing of Mellencamps general leftist tendencies though.

@nealmorton

it's not so much the eastern "religions" as it is the ancient eastern thought process. as well as the thinking of the native americans. I believe it was the cheyenne who said we don't inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children. The ancient asians had the attitude that a young lady would plant a tree today so her great-grandchildren might enjoy the shade.

2 other mellencamp songs stand out to me in tandem with this one: you gotta stand for something and paper in fire. Mellencamp hits a balance we all seem to seek without knowing we seek it. the same balance eastern thought has been practicing for millenia. the balance between being self-centered and being self-aware.

Self-centered is "i want". I want a smooth life, money, good things, "why do bad things always happen?", etc;

Self-aware is knowing that i am but one short lived human being in a vast universe in an unknown stretch of time. I learn when to give and when to take. I keep check on my appetite and don't consume too much.

Self-aware can seem self-centered; but i assure you focusing on the self for a bit can give great insight into how we each fit into the grander scheme.

And Mellencamp does a fantastic job of setting these ideas in verse and song.

I agree that this is a great song, and I'm surpirsed there are not more comments.

I think the song is written from the perspective of someone who is mourning the death of someone they loved and admired, possibly a "larger than life" father figure. This loss is causing him to reflect on the nature of life and death. He experiences a feeling of insignificace. There is also a recognition that life goes on (human wheels spin round and round) while our time on earth always grows shorter (while the clock keeps the pace).

The lyrics are full of images of death and burial ("draw its last breath" "vault" "pale reflection" and "dust to which this flesh shall return").

From the first time I heard this song, I thought of the Eastern Religions (or philosophies), with their emphasis on rebirth and the endless cycle of life. Too me, the song speaks of a person understanding their place and time.