It’s a scenario many musicians dread, yet some club owners seem to relish. As one musician recounted, the set was barely 20 minutes in, the house was packed, and then came the owner: “You’re fired, or I’m not paying you!” All for playing what the crowd actually wanted to hear. The quick musician’s wit? “Gear will be in the truck in 20 minutes! Sorry folks, fired for playing what YOU wanted. Catch us tomorrow at ____!”
This anecdote resonated with many online, especially when the topic drifted to the ever-present “Wagon Wheel.” My own journey to this discussion started with a simple Google search for “Wagon Wheel” guitar tabs. Trying to find steel guitar tabs for popular songs can sometimes be hit or miss online, highlighting just how ubiquitous some songs are – and aren’t – in certain instrumental communities.
The conversation echoed a similar debate on Mandolin Cafe. One memorable post featured a photo of a band’s tip jar, listing prices for song requests. Right at the bottom, demanding a hefty $20 tip, was “Wagon Wheel.” The opinions on the song were polarized. Some musicians clearly loathed it, while others pragmatically admitted, “If it gets the crowd up dancing and singing along to ‘rock me momma like a wagon wheel lyrics,’ we’re playing it.” That line, “rock me momma like a wagon wheel lyrics,” and the singalong energy it ignites, is undeniably part of the song’s broad appeal, even if it’s become a bit of a cliché for some musicians.
On a slightly different note, the popularity of Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” video also brings up a point about responsible media. While visually compelling, the scene of Rucker walking down railroad tracks raised eyebrows for some, especially those involved in railroad safety advocacy. The concern is understandable; such imagery can inadvertently encourage unsafe behavior around railroad property, especially among younger viewers.
Finally, thinking about song requests and audience expectations in different musical contexts brought a humorous thought: Has anyone ever yelled “Free Bird!” at the Boston Pops Orchestra?
It’s always engaging to see these discussions unfold and to be reminded of the shared experiences and sometimes humorous frustrations within the music community. It’s good to be back in the conversation.
