A Wish Away
The Wonder Stuff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With your bad name
Don't tell the people
That we're the same
You've got no hope for the future
So stop looking or someone to blame
It's about time you learned to laugh again
It's about time you learned to grin
'Cause just closing your eyes
At the things you despise, won't
Get you out of the great big mess you're in
So, shake it like a shaking thing
That you never had
And try to make out life is good
When life is something bad
Spin 'round like a spinning thing
That you've never seen
'Cause the bes thing that you've got
In life, is your
Eight Legged Groove Machine
Ah grin
It's about time you learned to laugh again
It's about time you learned to grin
Oh the jokes run fast
But the laughing stopped
What a terrible mess we've gotten in
Don't litter my streets with your bad name
Don't tell all my friends that we're the same
'Cause you've never had fun
And your life has just begun
And you're walking around
Thinking you're the only one
Who's not got anyone left to blame
The Wonder Stuff's song "A Wish Away" is an upbeat track with an underlying message about taking responsibility for one's own happiness. In the first verse, the lyrics address someone who has a negative attitude and is trying to bring others down with them. The singer urges this person to stop blaming others for their problems and start finding joy in life again. This sentiment is echoed in the chorus, where the singer encourages the listener to "learn to laugh again" and "learn to grin." The second verse continues in this vein, with the singer lamenting the lack of laughter and joy in the world and the mess that society has created.
One interesting aspect of the song is its title, "A Wish Away," which references the idea that many people believe that happiness is something to be wished for or waited for, rather than actively pursued. The song encourages listeners to take action and find their own happiness, rather than waiting for it to come to them. Additionally, the lyrics reference the "eight-legged groove machine," which is believed to be a reference to the band's album of the same name.
Another interesting fact about the song is that it was released as a single in 1988, but did not chart in the UK until it was re-released in 1990. The song eventually peaked at #43 on the UK singles chart. Additionally, the song has been covered by several other artists, including Emilie Autumn and Pop Will Eat Itself.
Chords (as provided by ultimate-guitar.com):
Verse:
D, D, D, D
D, D, D, D
D, D, D, D
D, D, D, D
Chorus:
A, G
D, A, G
A, G
D, A, G
Bridge:
Em, A
Em, A
Em, A
Em, A
Em, A, G
D, A, G
Outro:
D, D, D, D
D, D, D, D
D, D, D, D
D, D, D, D
Line by Line Meaning
Don't litter my streets
Please do not come to my town, and spread your negativity here
With your bad name
Please do not ruin the good name that we have built for ourselves
Don't tell the people
Do not spread lies about me to my community
That we're the same
Just because you are a certain way, it does not mean that I am same
You've got no hope for the future
You are pessimistic about the future, you think nothing good will happen.
So stop looking or someone to blame
Stop pointing fingers and do something to change your life
It's about time you learned to laugh again
You should start enjoying life again instead of being gloomy all the time
It's about time you learned to grin
You should have a positive outlook on life
'Cause just closing your eyes
You cannot solve your problems by ignoring them
At the things you despise, won't
Ignoring things you do not like will not make them go away
Get you out of the great big mess you're in
Not doing anything about your problems will not help you get out of your current situation.
So, shake it like a shaking thing
You need to get rid of the negative energy within you.
That you never had
You should not let your lack of experience with positivity discourage you from trying.
And try to make out life is good
You should focus on the good in life and not the bad.
When life is something bad
Life is always full of ups and downs but it's how we respond to them that matters.
Spin 'round like a spinning thing
You need to let go of any negativity or stress and enjoy the good things in life.
That you've never seen
Don't let lack of experience prevent you from being positive
'Cause the bes thing that you've got
The best thing you have is your positive attitude and outlook on life.
In life, is your
A positive attitude is the best thing in life.
Eight Legged Groove Machine
An eight-legged groove machine could be your happy place or something that makes you happy.
Ah grin
A smile and positive attitude can change your life
Oh the jokes run fast
People tend to make jokes in tough times.
But the laughing stopped
But people are no longer laughing because of negativity
What a terrible mess we've gotten in
We are in a negative situation
And your life has just begun
You're young and your life has just begun, keep a positive outlook.
And you're walking around
You're going through life with a negative outlook
Thinking you're the only one
You think only you are going through a tough time
Who's not got anyone left to blame
You cannot blame others for your negative outlook or your problems.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MALCOLM ROY TREECE, ROBERT JONES, MILES STEPHEN HUNT, MARTIN RICHARD GILKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
illusive 0ne
Power pop at its finest. Love this era of post new wave and pre grunge.
Chris Allan
I went to a lot of gigs in the 80s but their performance after the first album came out at Leeds (Uni - I think) was mental. When they launched into this, the audience surged forward so hard, I lost my hat and a shoe. They had their finger on the pulse for a short period and it was wonderful to behold.
AJAXKID123
Man, that guitar sound from that time period... I miss it. Takes me right back to nicer days.
miloandjoesdad01
It sure does. Surprisingly not a million miles from what the Roses were doing just up the motorway
Tom
The days were the same, your awareness of the world and attitude have just changed a bit.
Billy Anne Crews
Sure was better days!
Josp
Yo también quiero volver a esos días!
R W
Still have it on vinyl.
allyp 1972
Song that changed my life... was recording Enter the Dragon on ITV on VHS & left it recording till the tape run out, there was about 15 mins left after the film & a show called Rockin’ in the UK got recorded too, 1st or 2nd video that was on was this, it shaped my life, friends, girlfriends, pubs/clubs I went to in my late teens/early twenties, good times 😁
Barry Hardiman
Great film and band