First #1 Hit: The Midnight Oil (1973)<… Read Full Bio ↴Birthday: December 25th, 1948
First #1 Hit: The Midnight Oil (1973)
From 1980 to 1981, she and her two sisters hosted the last successful variety show, "Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters", on NBC.
In 1984, she and her two children were involved in a severe automobile accident, leaving her with serious injuries. All three were taken to Baptist Hospital in Nashville.
After giving her final concert performance at the Grand Old Opry House on October 23rd, 1997, she later moved into acting on the short lived soap opera, "Sunset Beach" on NBC.
In October 2006, she was honored with the release of a new tribute album "She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute To Barbara Mandrell" on BNA Records.
Wish You Were Here
Barbara Mandrell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's no fun with a heart that's broken
Ooh, baby, I wish you were here
I see lovers walking on the beach at sunset
I turned to you, I guess I'm just in the habit
Ooh, baby, I wish you were here
It's no fun alone drinking Piña Coladas
I wish you were here but you're with another
It's gonna be a long, lonely summer
If I knew where you were
I'd send you a postcard
Having a blue time, I'm so lonely so far
Ooh, baby, I wish you were here
If I knew where you were
I'd send you a postcard
Having a blue time, I'm so lonely so far
Ooh, baby, I wish you were here
I put on my gown, I turn all the lights out
Pull back the covers, I'm going to bed now
Ooh, baby, I wish you were here
Ooh, baby, I wish you were here
Ooh, baby, I sure wish you were here
The lyrics of Barbara Mandrell's "Wish You Were Here" are about longing for someone who's not there. In the song, the singer takes a vacation by the ocean but realizes that the experience is not enjoyable without her loved one. She sees couples walking on the beach, and she wishes that her loved one were there with her, enjoying the sunset and the scenery. She wishes that he could share her frustration at being alone, and that they could drink Piña Coladas and enjoy the ocean breeze together.
The singer is aware that her loved one is with someone else, and she expresses her feelings of loneliness and heartbreak, knowing that it's going to be a long, lonely summer without him. She wishes that she could send him a postcard and let him know how she feels, but she doesn't know where he is. She spends her nights alone in bed, wishing that he were there with her to keep her company. Overall, the song portrays a sense of longing and sadness, and it effectively conveys the emotions that come with missing someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
I took a vacation down by the ocean
I went on a trip to the beach for a change of scenery and relaxation.
But it's no fun with a heart that's broken
However, my emotional pain is preventing me from fully enjoying my time here.
Ooh, baby, I wish you were here
I deeply long for the presence of my loved one to share this experience with me.
I see lovers walking on the beach at sunset
As I watch other couples enjoying the romantic scenery, I feel the pang of missing my own partner.
I turned to you, I guess I'm just in the habit
I instinctively seek comfort and companionship from you, as I usually do.
I wish you were here, I gotta be honest
In all truth, my trip feels incomplete without you here by my side.
It's no fun alone drinking Piña Coladas
I can't fully enjoy the tropical drinks and resort life without your company.
I wish you were here but you're with another
Although I wish for your presence, I know you are with someone else.
It's gonna be a long, lonely summer
I anticipate a difficult and solitary season without you there to share it with.
If I knew where you were
If only I had knowledge of your whereabouts,
I'd send you a postcard
I would send you a physical reminder of my thoughts and feelings towards you.
Having a blue time, I'm so lonely so far
I am struggling emotionally and experiencing intense loneliness during this trip.
Ooh, baby, I sure wish you were here
Once again, my deepest desire is for you to be physically present with me during this difficult time.
I put on my gown, I turn all the lights out
As I prepare for bed in a strange place, I try to bring some small comfort to myself by setting my surroundings to my liking.
Pull back the covers, I'm going to bed now
I settle into bed for the night, trying to keep the loneliness at bay as best I can.
Ooh, baby, I wish you were here
Once again, my thoughts and heart turn towards you and desperately wish for your presence during this trying time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DENNIS W. MORGAN, RHONDA KYE FLEMING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1981 {November 15th} Barbara Mandrell's "Wish You Were Here"* peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "All My Rowdy Friends" by Hank Williams, Jr.
It reached #11 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart...
Between 1969 and 1989 Barbara Mandrell had fifty-four records on the Hot Country Singles chart, twenty-eight made the Top 10 with three* reaching #1...
Nine of her fifty-four charted records were duets; five with David Houston, two with Lee Greenwood, and one each with Waylon Jennings and the Oak Ridge Boys...
Barbara Ann Mandrell with celebrate her 72nd birthday next month on December 25th, 2020...
* She just missed having two more #1 records when both her "Only A Lonely Heart Knows" {1984} and the above "Wish You Were Here" peaked at #2 on the Hot Country Singles chart...
The remainder of the Billboard's Hot Country Singles Top 10 on November 15th, 1981:
At #3. "Miss Emily's Picture" by John Conlee
#4. "My Favorite Memory" by Merle Haggard
#5. "Bet Your Heart On Me" by Johnny Lee
#6. "If I Needed You" by Emmylou Harris and Don Williams
#7. "All Roads Lead To You" by Steve Wariner
#8. "Heart On The Mend" by Sylvia
#9. "It's All I Can Do" by Anne Murray
#10. "One Night Fever" by Mel Tillis
Jeffrey Lipinski
Always have been be a huge fan of Barbara Mandrell.
LOVE THIS SONG !!!
Love her so much growing up and still now
SHE IS SENSATIONAL.
Dave Wollenberg
Barbara hit #2 on ACC, 11-21-81. God bless ya, Miss Mandrell!
Amber Girl 78
That was the good ole days of country music!!
Connie Martin
I sure miss the 80's when singers had real talent.
Denise Mancina
I could sing this song word for word when it was on the radio
Randall Terry
Just bought her "Ultimate Collection", and to my unhappiness this song wasn't on it. This is one of her best!!!
JayDogTitan 1464
This may be her best song I don't know, she's got quite a few hits but it ranks at or near the top.
Camilo Wayne
Pro trick : watch series at kaldroStream. Me and my gf have been using it for watching lots of of movies lately.
Cash Will
@Camilo Wayne yup, been using kaldroStream for months myself :D
Kevin Miller
@Cash Will What's kaldroStream?