Meaning of "The Wheel" by PJ Harvey

"The Wheel" by PJ Harvey is a powerful commentary on the tragic phenomenon of child disappearances. The revolving wheel symbolizes the cyclical nature of this heartbreaking event, with children vanishing behind vehicles and leaving only faded traces behind. The blind man singing in Arabic adds to the eerie atmosphere and perhaps alludes to the sense of loss and longing. The repeated mention of twenty-eight thousand serves as a stark reminder of the sheer number of missing children and the difficulty in processing such a tragedy. The sun-bleached photographs tied to the government building signify the official acknowledgment of these disappearances but also their gradual fading from public consciousness. Overall, the song paints a bleak picture of the harsh reality faced by families of missing children, urging listeners to remember and not let these disappearances be forgotten.