The Cellar - Fortuna's Wheel in Pop Culture

Journey, "Wheel in the Sky" on the car stereo--kid asks me, "What is this song called?"

I explain the "Wheel in the Sky" is the Wheel of Fortune. And, "I don't know where I'll be tomorrow," is both a reference to the belief in shifting fortunes over which we have no control, as well as a frequent theme in Journey's music to the melancholy of traveling on a musical tour, and missing one's home. Ironically, while his fortunes are "up" --his band is successful--he is unhappy.

Next song (completely random) --John Lennon, "Watching the Wheels"

Again, the Wheel(s) of Fortune. I explain that he has disassociated from the attachment to "fortunes" being "up" or "down" and has chosen a different value system. He even lampoons our society's obsession with pursuing "good fortune" with the line, "no longer riding on the merry-go-round" --presenting the Wheel of Fortune as a diversion that leads nowhere.

The only thing that could have improved this lesson is if The Doobie Brothers, "Wheels of Fortune" would have come on next,

Quote:

Changin' wheels of fortune
Drivin' us on and on
Winnin', sometimes losin'
As soon as it's here it's gone

I'm so tired of losin'
But I still play the game
And I know there's no reason
Still I go on searchin' just the same

Can you think of any other "Wheel of Fortune" themed songs?