This Wheel's on Fire
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"This Wheel's on Fire" is a song written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko. It was recorded by Dylan and appeared on his 1975 album The Basement Tapes, as well as on The Band's 1968 album Music From Big Pink.
In 1968, a version by Julie Driscoll with Brian Auger and The Trinity became a hit in the United Kingdom. It peaked at number five on the UK singles chart. With its use of distortion, the imagery of the title and the group's flamboyant dress and performance, this version came to represent the psychedelic era in British music. Driscoll recorded the song again in the early 1990s with Adrian Edmondson as the theme to the BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, whose main characters are throwbacks to that era.
In 1987, the song was covered by English rock band Siouxsie & the Banshees for their all-covers album, Through the Looking Glass. Released as the first single from that album, the Banshees' version climbed to number fourteen on the UK singles chart.
Other artists who have released their own versions, include The Byrds, Hamilton Camp, Phil Lesh, Golden Earring, The Hollies, Ian and Sylvia, Les Fradkin, Leslie West, Serena Ryder, and Guster.
Personnel on The Band version
- Rick Danko -Lead vocal, bass guitar
- Levon Helm -Drums, backing vocal
- Garth Hudson -Clavinet, Lowrey organ
- Richard Manuel -Piano, backing vocal
- Robbie Robertson -Electric guitar
