The song Wheels by Hawkwind is a powerful protest against the destruction of the environment and the lack of concern by humans towards this issue. The lyrics describe the devastating effects of pollution, nuclear radiation, and oil spills on the Earth's ecosystems, and the indifference of people towards these issues. The opening lines of the song depict the perspective of someone flying above the Earth, witnessing the devastation caused by pollution. The repeated question "how long do you think the wheels will keep on turning?" implies a sense of urgency and a call to action. As the lyrics progress, the singer highlights various alarming signs of environmental destruction, such as the loss of rivers, destruction of the ozone layer, and extinction of animals. The repeated line "and it's like you don't really care" emphasizes the frustration of the singer and their disbelief in humanity's lack of action towards these catastrophic events. Overall, the song Wheels is a powerful call to action against environmental destruction and a plea for people to start caring about the consequences of their actions.
