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The Big Wheel

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Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
   D#m     C#     F#     Ex2
   E     D     Ax3
E   D
[Verse 1]
Well, AI was oAnly a kBid - didn't knAow enough to Bbe afraid
APlaying tBhe game, but nAot the way Bthe big boys played
ANothing to lBose - mayAbe I had sBomething to trade
[Pre-chorus 1]
E   D   A
E   D
The wAay the bEig wheel sDpinsA  
E   D
[Verse 2]
Well, AI was Aonly a kBid, on a hAoly cruBsade
I plAaced no trBust in a fAaith that was Bready-made
ATake no cBhances Aon parBadise delayed
E   D   A
E   D
So AI do Ea slow fDadeA  
E   D   A
[Chorus]
   B  F#Playing fG#mor time
BDon't want to F#wait fEor heaven
   B  F#Looking G#mfor love
EFor an F#angel to forgEive my F#sins
   B  F#Playing wG#mith fire
BChasing somethF#ing new to Ebelieve in
   B  F#Looking foG#mr love
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
[Verse 3]
Well, I was oAnly a kBid, cruising Aaround in a Btrance
PArisoner of fBate, victim of cAircumstanceB  
I was liAned up for Bglory, but the tAickets sold oBut in advance
[Pre-chorus 1]
E   D   A
E   D
The wAay the bEig wheel sDpinsA  
E   D
[Verse 4]
Well, AI was onAly a kBid, gAone without Ba backward glance
AGoing Bfor broke, goAing for anoBther chance
AHoping for Bheaven - hAoping for a fBine romance
E   D   A
E   D
If AI do Ethe right DdanceA  
E   D   A
[Chorus]
   B  F#Playing fG#mor time
BDon't want to F#wait fEor heaven
   B  F#Looking G#mfor love
EFor an F#angel to forgEive my F#sins
   B  F#Playing wG#mith fire
BChasing somethF#ing new to Ebelieve in
   B  F#Looking foG#mr love
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
[Instrumental]
   D#m     C#     F#     Ex2
    E      D      Ax8
[Bridge]
DWheel goes round, Dlanding on a twist of faith
DTaking your chances you'll hDave the right answers
When the Efinal F#judgment beginsE  F#  E  F#  E  F#  
DWheel goes round, lDanding on a leap of fate
DLife redirected in Dways unexpected
SometiEmes the F#odd number winsE  F#  
The way the bEig wheel sF#pinsE  F#  
[Chorus]
   B  F#Playing fG#mor time
BDon't want to F#wait fEor heaven
   B  F#Looking G#mfor love
EFor an F#angel to forgEive my F#sins
   B  F#Playing wG#mith fire
BChasing somethF#ing new to Ebelieve in
   B  F#Looking foG#mr love
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
   B  F#Playing fG#mor time
BDon't want to F#wait fEor heaven
   B  F#Looking G#mfor love
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
[Outro]
B   F#   G#m
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
B   F#   G#m
EThe F#way the bEig wheel sF#pins
Repeat until fade out

All chords in this song (8)

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The Big Wheel

by Rush

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D#m

G#m

[Intro]

D#m C# F# E

E D A

E D

[Verse 1]

A A B A B

Well, I was only a kid - didn't know enough to be afraid

A B A B

Playing the game, but not the way the big boys played

A B A B

Nothing to lose - maybe I had something to trade

[Pre-chorus 1]

E D A

E D

A E D A

The way the big wheel spins

E D

[Verse 2]

A A B A B

Well, I was only a kid, on a holy crusade

A B A B

I placed no trust in a faith that was ready-made

A B A B

Take no chances on paradise delayed

E D A

E D

A E D A

So I do a slow fade

E D A

[Chorus]

B F# G#m

Playing for time

B F# E

Don't want to wait for heaven

B F# G#m

Looking for love

E F# E F#

For an angel to forgive my sins

B F# G#m

Playing with fire

B F# E

Chasing something new to believe in

B F# G#m

Looking for love

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

[Verse 3]

A B A B

Well, I was only a kid, cruising around in a trance

A B A B

Prisoner of fate, victim of circumstance

A B A B

I was lined up for glory, but the tickets sold out in advance

[Pre-chorus 1]

E D A

E D

A E D A

The way the big wheel spins

E D

[Verse 4]

A A B A B

Well, I was only a kid, gone without a backward glance

A B A B

Going for broke, going for another chance

A B A B

Hoping for heaven - hoping for a fine romance

E D A

E D

A E D A

If I do the right dance

E D A

[Chorus]

B F# G#m

Playing for time

B F# E

Don't want to wait for heaven

B F# G#m

Looking for love

E F# E F#

For an angel to forgive my sins

B F# G#m

Playing with fire

B F# E

Chasing something new to believe in

B F# G#m

Looking for love

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

[Instrumental]

D#m C# F# E

E D A

[Bridge]

D D

Wheel goes round, landing on a twist of faith

D D

Taking your chances you'll have the right answers

E F# E F# E F# E F#

When the final judgment begins

D D

Wheel goes round, landing on a leap of fate

D D

Life redirected in ways unexpected

E F# E F#

Sometimes the odd number wins

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

[Chorus]

B F# G#m

Playing for time

B F# E

Don't want to wait for heaven

B F# G#m

Looking for love

E F# E F#

For an angel to forgive my sins

B F# G#m

Playing with fire

B F# E

Chasing something new to believe in

B F# G#m

Looking for love

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

B F# G#m

Playing for time

B F# E

Don't want to wait for heaven

B F# G#m

Looking for love

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

[Outro]

B F# G#m

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

B F# G#m

E F# E F#

The way the big wheel spins

Repeat until fade out

About The Big Wheel Chords by Rush

Learn how to play The Big Wheel by Rush with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Big Wheel chords”, “The Big Wheel guitar chords”, or “Rush The Big Wheel chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Big Wheel chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Big Wheel lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D#m, C#, F#, E, D, A.

FAQ — The Big Wheel by Rush

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What key is "The Big Wheel" in?

The chords for "The Big Wheel" show the original chord names (including D#m, C#, F#, E, D, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.