I Wish
BBC Children In Need featuring Adrian Lester Lyrics
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Then my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing
We were happy with the joy the day would bring
Sneaking out the back door to hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
Greeted at the back door, I thought I told you not to go outside
Tryin' your best to bring the water to your eyes
Thinkin' it might stop her from whippin' your behind
Why did those days ever have to go?
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
'Cause I love them so
Brother says he's tellin' 'bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Just don't tell I'll give you anything you want in this whole wide world
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
You trade yours for candy after church is through
Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall, I can't do it
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
But while you were doin' it, it sure felt out of sight
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
What did you say?
Baby, baby, baby
In "I Wish" by Adrian Lester, the lyrics take the audience on a trip down memory lane as the artist reminisces about his childhood. The song begins with a nostalgic look back at the past, specifically to when he was a "little nappy headed boy". During that time, his biggest worry was what Christmas toy he would receive. Although times were tough and sometimes the family didn't receive much on special occasions, they were still able to find joy. The artist then paints a picture of sneaking out with his "hoodlum" friends, only to be caught by his mom, resulting in being disciplined. The chorus of the song repeats the lyrics "I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go? Cause I love them so.”
The second verse continues the theme of reminiscing about the past, with the artist's elder brother telling tales about him playing "doctor" with a girl. However, the artist thinks he has a solution - giving his brother anything he wants in exchange for not telling on him. Next, the artist remembers trading money meant for Sunday school for some candy, smoking cigarettes, and writing something "nasty" on the wall, which landed him in the principal's office. The final lines of the song speak to the realization that certain behaviors were not acceptable, but in the moment, they felt "out of sight".
The lyrics to "I Wish" exhibit a sense of longing for a simpler time, an idyllic view of childhood that is often viewed through a rose-tinted lens. The song's catchy melody plays into the artist’s reminiscing, reminding the audience of happy memories of a bygone era, and perhaps of their own childhoods. All the while, the artist wonders why those days ever had to end.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back on when I was a little nappy headed boy
Reflecting on my childhood, when I was younger and had unkempt hair
Then my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy
My main concern was what present I'd receive for Christmas
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing
Despite occasionally receiving nothing as a gift
We were happy with the joy the day would bring
We found happiness in the joyous spirit of the occasion
Sneaking out the back door to hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
Leaving the house through the back entrance to join my mischievous companions
Greeted at the back door, I thought I told you not to go outside
Being scolded by an adult for leaving the house, despite being warned not to
Tryin' your best to bring the water to your eyes
Attempting to cry to avoid punishment
Thinkin' it might stop her from whippin' your behind
Believing that crying might prevent getting spanked
I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire to relive those moments from the past
Why did those days ever have to go?
Questioning why those happy times had to end
Brother says he's tellin' 'bout you playin' doctor with that girl
My sibling told on me for playing doctor with a girl
Just don't tell I'll give you anything you want in this whole wide world
Bribing my sibling not to share my secret with the promise of granting any wish
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
My mother gives me money to attend Sunday school
You trade yours for candy after church is through
I exchange my money intended for Sunday school for candy after the service ends
Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall
Engaging in inappropriate behavior like smoking and defacing property
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall, I can't do it
The teacher punishes me by sending me to the principal's office, but I cannot bear to do it
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
As I mature, I realize that such actions were wrong
But while you were doin' it, it sure felt out of sight
Despite the wrongdoing, it still felt exciting
What did you say?
Questioning what was just said
Baby, baby, baby
Affectionately addressing someone, using a term of endearment
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rachel Cat
You can tell how warm her heart got when she was listening to him sing her song. I loved his reaction to meeting her. This was just the sweetest video honestly.
Mubashir A.
It may have had to do with the song choice as well. I for one couldn't believe that he was singing "Never Grow Up". It's one of the most beautiful and underrated songs of Taylor's.
WitchesDontBurn -
The connections: Taylor is Joe’s girlfriend. Joe worked with Olivia in the favourite. Olivia worked with Shaun in Broadchurch. And Also, Phoebe is there, who worked with Olivia in Fleabag and now Taylor made a cover for her show Killing Eve. Amazing shows and artists altogether.
Keshavee Nandan
*Olivia worked with Phoebe on fleabag, Phoebe wrote that show and has been organising stage performances of it for years n finally got noticed and breathed air into that show, won several Emmys including best comedy writing 🙃
Sky XCX
Plus Phoebe and Taylor were on SNL together
ngl
Phoebe was also in Broadchurch
SilentKnight43
Somewhere there's a connection to Kevin Bacon.
Muskan
Which cover did Taylor make for Killing Eve?
NancyinNYC
There's absolutely NOTHING "savage" about Swift's behavior in this video. She couldn't be nicer or kinder or more encouraging. WTF, BBC? Clickbait much?
Kent
"SAVAGE" is also a slang word - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx2f5lMh3e8