General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music Part 113........"The Wheels On The Bus Go Round and Round"

It wasn't until now that I realized how much influence something as simple as a wheel could have on songwriting. It's really amazing what all wheels can be used to represent.

In order to receive votes in this category the SONG TITLE had to have the word "wheel" in it. Also receiving votes in this category were "Hell On Wheels" by Fu Manchu, "Human Wheels" by John Mellencamp, "Helen Wheels" by Wings, "Big Brother Wheels" by The Buzzcocks, and "Wonder Wheel" by Dama Nilz.

"Spinning Wheels"- Angel Taylor. This song, which plays 3 times a day in Sprint, was featured on Angel Taylor's debut album "Love Travels" which scored the single "Like You Do" and gained Taylor notoriety on VH1 in their 2010 "On The Know- Artists On The Rise" promotion. The lyrics to this song are amazing, and they got lost in the soulfulness of Taylor's amazing voice. Many people have even gone on to call Taylor the "black Colbie Caillat" just due to their similarity of voices and styles. Stay tuned to bonus videos for a great acoustic version of this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=790DIbDaYqY

"Watching the Wheels"- John Lennon. In 1975, John Lennon had a very public and very controversial "retirement" from music to be a househusband to his wife Yoko Ono and to care for their new son Sean. Many people criticized the move just due to the fact that many critics complained that John Lennon had already abandoned his other son, Julian (an accusation that I think has much merit). The Beatles "Hey Jude" was actually written for Julian, but was written by Paul McCartney. I think that John Lennon was trying to change his image and like most of the other Beatles, thought he had accomplished everything he could accomplish up to that point. However, in 1980, John Lennon famously came out of retirement and released his album "Double Fantasy". The album, which included this song as an "answer" to as to why he spent 4 years in seclusion, was his first album since 1976 and his first time with original songs since 1975. The album was famous for being his last album, as Lennon was murdered a mere 3 weeks after the album's release. The album went on to win the 1981 Grammy for Album of the Year, with this song, the 3rd and final single from the album, peaking at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moCf_pghM-U

"Wheels"- Foo Fighters. Is it even possible for these guys to make a bad song? This song was recorded for their 2009 "Greatest Hits" album, and premiered at the White House for July 4th that year at a celebration for the military. Also, I've said it 100 times, but drummer Taylor Hawkins seriously looks like the Rated R Superstar Edge. I want to call him Adam Copeland so bad. Critics of this video called it "The Fray meets Weezer", and I surprisingly think the exact thing. This song was Foo's first appearance on the charts since 2007, peaking at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONkiLR5Ehys

"Wheels Within Wheels"- Cynic. This song from Cynic's 2010 EP "Re-Traced" makes me feel like I'm watching "Tron" or an old Max Headroom Coca-Cola commercial. This song is different, but then again so is most of Cynic's electro music. Cynic is an anomaly in the fact their first album "Focus" was considered a groundbreaking album in the techno music world in 1993, but the band disbanded after just one album. They didn't release another album until 2008 as a reunion project. This song here was never featured on either of their LPs, but remains one of their more well known songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2keHevAN54

"Two Wheels"- Wax. This guy cracks me up- I'm thinking a white afroman- see for yourself! Wax is from Hollywood, and this single was released on his latest album "Scrublife". LOL this video makes me laugh- this guy is trying way too hard!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv94SkcJAm4

"Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses"- Kathy Mattea. Wow, just SLIGHTLY changing gears here. Have I finally sold my soul to the "old people" devil by including Kathy Mattea? Wow, this is one artist I NEVER saw ever being on here. Oh well, first time for everything. Nothing against country music, but I think it's comical that Kathy Mattea's first #1 country single was about a retiring truckdriver going home to see his wife. Seriously? Anyway, this song was included on Mattea's first gold album, 1987's "Untasted Honey". I have just set this blog back 20 years. Sorry guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ElCpHuiWkA

"Wheels"- Jamie Cullum. Anyone else think Jamie Cullum sounds like the lead singer from the Fray? Jamie Cullum is one of our friends from across the pond in the UK who has seen great success in Europe. This single was included on his latest album "The Pursuit". While none of the songs were released in the US, the album was released and peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart. Bonus points for the unicycle riders. I've never seen how people do that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBHsOMEiXPY

"Wheels"- Dan Tyminski. You may not realize it, but you've definitely heard Dan Tyminski before. He provided the voice for George Clooney's character in "O, Brother Where Art Thou?" as the lead singer of the Soggy Bottom Boys (I smell a bonus video), a role which earned him both an Oscar and Grammy in 2001. This title track from his latest album put him a top the Billboard Bluegrass Charts, where he remains one of the more well known Bluegrass artists in a rather obscure genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_06a37XrsQw

"Wheel"- John Mayer. Can this guy possibly make a song that sucks? This song, which was included on his 2003 critically acclaimed album "Room For Squares" has always been a fan favorite despite never being released as a single. This is a fantastic live performance from the Canadian TV program "Intimate and Interactive". John Mayer will always be one of the best songwriters around when it comes to emotional soulful guitar ballads like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dUDhgyRoBM

"Wheel In The Sky"- Journey. Steve Perry's is amazing, but I hate how he "makes love" to the camera.....that's all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFC8sDTXlng

"Jesus Take the Wheel"- Carrie Underwood. No words for this one.........oh yeah, except that Carrie Underwood is freaking hot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lydBPm2KRaU

"Shoulder To The Wheel"- Saves The Day. These are guys are so 90's! This guys from Princeton, New Jersey included this song on their second album, 1999's "Through Being Cool". I love when bands can be cool towards the end of an era and even into a new era keeping the same style. This video makes me think I'm watching "Cant Hardly Wait", which actually came out the previous year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHBJ-73LQjQ

"Lonely Wheel"- The Almost. I love when artists change positions/instruments (Dave Grohl) and start a new band. Lead singer Aaron Gillespie was originally the drummer for Underoath, and started the Almost as a side project. This song was included on their 2009 album "Monster, Monster", which also included my favorite song by the band, "Hands". I watch The Almost's video and see them perform and I can't help but think that they'd be really good to see live. Aaron Gillespie is also, for the record, the baddest ginger ever- what amazing hair!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bklajyW0jpM

BONUS VIDEOS- "Spinning Wheels"- Angel Taylor. Amazing acoustic version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ5uoccvWpk

"Man of Constant Sorrow"- The Soggy Bottom Boys from "O, Brother Where Art Thou?". The famous "singing in the can" scene. Look close and you'll see Stephen Root, better known as Milton in "Office Space".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krwywj_gIjk

"Can't Get Over You"- Gavin DeGraw. No reason

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDWhfsQHq1o

The Almost with the world's most awesome ginger