Song of the Week: Stephen Bruton's "Bigger Wheel"

Singer-songwriter Stephen Bruton passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer. He was 60. An Austin favorite. Here he sings about how he once thought he was a big wheel but now he's "giving it up to the Bigger Wheel." (Photo from The Austin Chronicle: find it here.)




This old world’s a crazy planet
Nothing goes the way you plan it
Seems like it’s got a mind of its own

All I know is that something’s missing
When I talked no one would listen
My poor heart had all but turned to stone.

I lost my job and spent my youth
My alibis are hundred proof
All I knew was women, song and wine

I lost the one love of my life
I wonder where she is tonight
I bet you I don’t even cross her mind

I ain’t no good at this—I’m tired of being afraid
It took a long time getting to the decision that I made
White flag . . . surrender
Right here, right now
I’m out, game over
This down-and-out high roller has found a better deal
What I got left from here on out
I’m giving it up to the Bigger Wheel

I thought I’d have it all by now
Who’s in charge here anyhow?
For a man that knew it all I know I don’t

Seems like I been here forever
Getting down to now or never
I could keep on hurting but I won’t

I ain’t no good at this—I’m tired of being afraid
It took a long time getting to the decision that I made
White flag . . . surrender
Right here, right now
I’m out, game over
This down-and-out high roller has found a better deal
What I got left from here on out
I’m giving it up to the Bigger Wheel

I ain’t no good at this—I’m tired of being a slave
It took a long time getting to the decision that I made
White flag . . . surrender
Right here, right now
I’m out, game over
This down-and-out high roller has found a better deal
What I got left from here on out
I’m giving it up to the Bigger Wheel

. . . to the Bigger Wheel
. . . to the Bigger Wheel

White flag . . .
Surrender . . .
Right here . . .
Right now . . .

I’m out . . .
Game over . . .
Surrender . . .
Right now . . .

. . . to the Bigger Wheel.