"Proud Mary" by Ike & Tina Turner is an energetic song about working hard and finding happiness. The lyrics describe leaving a good job in the city and traveling down the river, where the people are happy and willing to give. The big wheel represented the constant cycle of life, and the burning Proud Mary represented the determination and strength to keep moving forward. The song celebrates the joy in hard work and the freedom that comes with it. Overall, "Proud Mary" is an anthem for those who persevere in the face of adversity and find happiness in the simple pleasures of life.