JOURNEY - WHEEL IN THE SKY

Released: March 1978

Charts: US: #57 

“Wheel in the Sky” marked a turning point for Journey—both musically and vocally. Originally a poem called “Wheels in My Mind” written by Diane Valory, the lyrics were adapted into a rock track by Robert Fleischman (briefly the band’s lead singer), Neal Schon, and Ross Valory. By the time recording for Infinity officially began in 1977, Steve Perry had taken over vocal duties. Perry’s powerful voice helped elevate the song into one of Journey’s earliest hits, and it became a signature track as they transitioned into a more radio-friendly rock sound. It was their first charting single, peaking at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, and helped pave the way for the band’s massive success in the ’80s.

Lyrically, the song touches on themes of restlessness, time, and longing, centered around the metaphor of the wheel in the sky turning — “Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’, I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow” — capturing the loneliness and unpredictability of life on the road. What’s interesting is how this song captures a philosophical tone — it’s less of a typical love song and more about uncertainty, movement, and longing, wrapped in that “life-goes-on” feeling. the metaphor of the wheel constantly turning adapts with anyone dealing with instability or change, especially in the context of life on the road, which the band was very much living at the time.

Even though it wasn’t a massive hit on the charts, it was the foundation for the band’s eventual explosion in popularity. Perry’s arrival shifted the entire dynamic, helping Journey evolve from a prog-rock cult band into a radio-dominating arena rock act. It’s kind of poetic in itself — a song about forward momentum was the one that actually started pushing them forward.