Fortuna's Wheel in Pop Culture

[Flint]

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,

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?