Wishes
Beach House Lyrics

The roses on the lawn
The roses on the lawn represent the uncertainty of which side someone is on.

Don't know which side you're on
It's hard to tell which person someone is supporting.

In a daze, it will change
People may not even be aware of which side they're on or it can easily shift.

Wishes on a wheel
This line implies that our desires and goals can be similar to spinning wheels that ultimately lead to uncertain outcomes.

Wishes on a wheel
Repeating this line emphasizes that idea and brings awareness to the unpredictability of the future.

The voices in the hall
This phrase suggests that people around us may consistently have an opinion, but not all of it may be significant.

Will carry on their talking
People will continue to talk, regardless of the value or impact of what they're saying.

Carry weight you can't take
Their words may hold a lot of power, but we may not always be able to handle it.

Wishes on a wheel
The repetition of this phrase reinforces that our desires are still uncertain and insinuates that they might not always be in our control.

Is it even real?
Suggests that we may doubt the likelihood of achieving our desires, making it unclear whether it is worth pursuing them at all.

The contact that you make
This line implies that the people we interact with have the ability to create lasting impressions.

The moment when a memory aches
Recalling a moment can elicit emotional or physical pain, but that moment is still preserved in our memory.

Who can tell?
Indicates that it's hard to decipher whether an experience was good or bad.

You do it well
Acknowledging someone's efforts in handling a personal struggle, task or emotion.

Wishes on a wheel
This line re-emphasizes the main idea of our desires being unpredictable and out of our control.

How's it supposed to feel?
We may not always know how to feel about achieving our goals or desires.

One in your life
Represents a unique and rare occurrence or experience that happens only once.

It happens once and rarely twice
Emphasizes that some experiences are hard to replicate or encounter for the second time.

One in your life
Repeating this line further reinforces the concept of a singular and significant experience.

It happens once and rarely twice
The repetition of this line makes this idea even more profound.

The roses on the lawn
The repetition of the first verse underscores the uncertainty and ambiguity that comes with decision-making and people's loyalty.

Won't know which side you're on
Repeating this phrase shows how often the outcome may be unclear.

On that hill, forever still
The final verse gives off a whimsical and sentimental tone, describing the acceptance that certain experiences may be fleeting and the best moments may go away forever.

Wishes on a wheel
Reinforcing the idea that our hopes, dreams and goals are uncertain and ever changing.

How's it supposed to feel?
The final line of the song expresses the uncertainty and anxiety of experiencing something big or fulfilling, and questioning if whatever we're feeling is appropriate.

Wishes on a wheel
The repetition of the line in the end acts as a final reminder of the song's central theme.