Journey – Wheel in the Sky

About the song

“Wheel in the Sky” is a poignant rock ballad by the legendary American band Journey, featured on their 1978 album, *Infinity*. Penned collaboratively by Robert Fleischman, Neal Schon, and Diane Valory, the song encapsulates themes of longing, uncertainty, and the relentless passage of time.

During its inception, Journey was navigating a transformative period, experimenting with a harder rock sound under new vocalist Robert Fleischman’s lead. Originally titled “Wheels in My Mind” as a poem by Diane Valory, it eventually evolved into “Wheel in the Sky” as the band refined its musical direction, eventually recording it with Steve Perry, who became their iconic frontman.

Upon its release, “Wheel in the Sky” marked a significant milestone for Journey, charting at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #45 on the Canadian RPM 100. Its reception was positive, with Cash Box highlighting its “tight lick guitar work” and effective vocal harmonies.

The song’s structure begins with a distinctive instrumental opening before Perry’s emotive vocals take center stage. The lyrics chronicle a narrator’s yearning for home after an extended absence, expressing a deep longing to reconnect with a loved one. The recurring motif of the “wheel in the sky” symbolizes the inevitable passage of time and life’s unpredictable journey, echoed in the narrator’s uncertainty about the future—”I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow.”

The heartfelt lyrics and soulful melody resonate with listeners, capturing the universal themes of homesickness and the search for meaning amidst life’s twists and turns. Neal Schon’s melodic guitar solo punctuates the emotional depth of Perry’s vocals, creating a powerful musical narrative that has endured through decades.

“Wheel in the Sky” remains a testament to Journey’s ability to blend introspective lyrics with memorable rock melodies, solidifying its place as a classic in the rock music canon. Its timeless appeal continues to captivate audiences, reaffirming its status as one of Journey’s most beloved and enduring compositions.

Video

Lyrics

“Wheel In The Sky”

Winter is here again oh Lord
Haven’t been home in a year or more
I hope she holds on a little longer

Sent a letter on a long summer day
Made of silver, not of clay
Ooh, I’ve been runnin’ down this dusty road

Ooh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’

I’ve been trying to make it home
Got to make it before too long
Ooh, I can’t take this very much longer, no

I’m stranded in the sleet and rain
Don’t think I’m ever gonna make it home again
The mornin’ sun is risin’, it’s kissing the day

Ooh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’

My, my, my, my, my
For tomorrow

Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
Ooh, I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps me yearning
Ooh, I don’t know, I don’t know

Oh, the wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
Ooh, I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
Ooh, I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know

Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
Don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow
Ooh, the wheel in the sky keeps turnin’
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’