The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Why am I so angry?
Why am I so mad?
Is it my new girlfriend?
Maybe mom and dad
How did I get so pissed off?
So many people have it worse
Is it something in my past life?
Some kind of new age voodoo curse?
[Chorus]
And I'd love to be happy
I forget how it feels
Driving towards somewhere
Instead of spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Where did I get all this tension?
I'm shaking like a leaf
If it's not one thing, it's another
That is my belief
Lost, freaked out and sorry
You know I'm miserable too
My violets are blood red
And my roses are blue
[Chorus]
Spinning my wheels
They go 'round, and around, and
Around, and around, and around, and
Around, and around, and around, and
Around, and around, and around, and
Around, and around
And I'd love to be happy
I'd love to find glad
But something inside me
Just wants to stay mad
And I need to start smiling
I forget how that feels
Driving toward somewhere
Instead of spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Spinning my... spinning my wheels
Spinning my... spinning my wheels
Spinning my... spinning my wheels
Spinning my... spinning my wheels
Why am I so mad?
Is it my new girlfriend?
Maybe mom and dad
How did I get so pissed off?
So many people have it worse
Is it something in my past life?
Some kind of new age voodoo curse?
[Chorus]
And I'd love to be happy
I forget how it feels
Driving towards somewhere
Instead of spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Where did I get all this tension?
I'm shaking like a leaf
If it's not one thing, it's another
That is my belief
Lost, freaked out and sorry
You know I'm miserable too
My violets are blood red
And my roses are blue
[Chorus]
Spinning my wheels
They go 'round, and around, and
Around, and around, and around, and
Around, and around, and around, and
Around, and around, and around, and
Around, and around
And I'd love to be happy
I'd love to find glad
But something inside me
Just wants to stay mad
And I need to start smiling
I forget how that feels
Driving toward somewhere
Instead of spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Spinning my wheels
Spinning my... spinning my wheels
Spinning my... spinning my wheels
Spinning my... spinning my wheels
Spinning my... spinning my wheels
Lyrics submitted by rabidpenguin
Spinning My Wheels Lyrics as written by Michael Gurley Joie Calio
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I really love this line:
"My violets are blood red, And my roses are blue."
I think this song conveys something we've all felt before. When nothing in life ever changes and it feels like the good things are passing you by. You start to get depressed, despite having nothing to really complain about.