Come on and break me a limb at a time
Wrap me around your spokes so tight
There is no letting go
Spin me around to blur the line between you and I
What are you waiting for?

Lo and behold baby
These are the things you make me do
Katherine wheel I'm burning for you
Please don't stop until my heart no longer screams
Katherine wheel
Katherine wheel

Holding hands won't be enough
In a world giving head to a god
Love in theory and practice chapter one

Lo and behold baby
These are the things you make me do
Katherine wheel I'm burning for you
Please don't stop until my heart no longer screams
Katherine wheel
Katherine wheel

I twist and turn in your arms swirl
The dizzier I get the clearer I see with you
I'm at peace with the world within

[Repeat x2]
Lo and behold baby
These are the things you make me do
Katherine wheel I'm burning for you
Please don't stop until my heart no longer screams
Katherine wheel
Katherine wheel


Lyrics submitted by darkninja55, edited by soullessbunny

Katherine Wheel Lyrics as written by Ville Hermanni Valo

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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Katherine Wheel song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    My opinion of this song is that katherine wheel is referring to the fireworks that spin around. There's a lot of references to "spinning", like the firework. This is the same with "burning". Also, Ville talks about his heart screaming, and the katherine wheels are known for their screaming as they wizz round. Plus, in love there are always fireworks between the two lovers. That's my spin on things :)

    xEllenon July 26, 2010   Link
  • +1
    Lyric Correction

    Lo and behold baby These are the things you make me do Katherine wheel, I'm burning for you I'm burning for you

    Come on and break me a limb at a time Wrap me around your spokes so tight There is no letting go Spin me around to blur the line Between you and I What are you waiting for?

    Lo and behold baby These are the things you make me do Katherine wheel, I'm burning for you Please don't stop until my heart no longer screams Katherine wheel Katherine wheel

    Holding hands won't be enough In a world giving head to a gun Love in theory and practice, chapter one

    Lo and behold baby These are the things you make me do Katherine wheel, I'm burning for you Please don't stop until my heart no longer screams Katherine wheel Katherine wheel

    I twist and turn In your arms swirl The dizzier I get the clearer I see With you I'm at peace with the war within

    Lo and behold baby These are the things you make me do Katherine wheel, I'm burning for you Please don't stop until my heart no longer screams Katherine wheel Katherine wheel

    Lo and behold baby These are the things you make me do Katherine wheel, I'm burning for you Katherine wheel, I'm burning for you Katherine wheel Katherine wheel I'm burning for you

    ElektroNoobieon February 18, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    heartsfuneral92on August 05, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    when was this released?

    Radulykenon February 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    classic HIM love song

    hxclollyon February 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    absolutely love this song, winning the battle for #1 on the album for me. just an awesome tune all around, but im so curious, does anyone have any clue on the identity of this Katherine Wheel? i take it they are a women, but are they just fictional? is there some kind of referance im not picking up on? please let me know...

    also, the last line in the second verse, i think its supposed to be Love in theory and practice, as in the title of the album

    and in the last line of the bridge, it sounds more like hes saying With you im at peace with the war within

    Keritheanimalon February 19, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    also, i dont think ville would be so shallow to say "giving head to a god". i thought it was that at first too, and it scared me. like i thought metallica said "ill splatter c*m on his grave", but it was really "ill splatter colour on this grey".

    but anyways. its "giving head to a gun". its in the screamworks booklet.

    and the last line is "love in theory and practice, chapter one", also from the booklet.

    Radulykenon April 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    @ Keritheanimal

    a katherine wheel is a torture device

    dracoIgnison May 16, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I believe the line is also "With you I'm at peace with the war within." One of my favorite lines.

    demolitionlover4on August 20, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song it's very interesting because the title of the song "Katherine Wheel" St. Catherine of Alexandria who was tortured on a device called "Spinning Wheel" in which the person was strapped to a wheel that turned and the executioner used a hammer to break their bones-it was a slow death. You can tell from such parts of the song:

    "Come on and break me a limb at a time, wrap me around your spoke so tight, there's no letting go. Spin me around to blur the light between you and I"

    It kind of turns the torture into a love song, I presume he's referring to love and how it can sometimes hurt as if in you're in this torture device. This is what I love about HIM, they can turn a horrific torture device into a beautiful love song. Well done Ville Valo.

    Eddie516on June 16, 2012   Link

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