I Wish
Cherry Monroe Lyrics

The opening lines of Cherry Monroe's "I Wish" describe the power of memories in our lives, specifically those represented by tattoos. Some memories are amplified by these permanent markings on our skin, and yet others can be removed "surgically," suggesting that some memories can be erased or that some marks we make on our bodies may not fully capture the memories we want to hold onto. Despite the pain or discomfort involved in tattooing, people still choose to mark themselves in ways that are meaningful to them. This echoes the line "It's funny how we bend" in our effort to try and make amends, showing that even if we can't change the past, we bend and twist ourselves to try and compensate for it.

In the chorus, the song expresses a desire to remain young: "I wish I was forever young." This is a common sentiment, but one that hits even harder in a song about memories and life's struggles. The repetition of "I wish" is both plaintive and hopeful, as if the act of wishing itself might bring about some positive change. But the final lines suggest ongoing difficulties: "There's a cloud and it's hanging over me / It's days like these." Here, the song acknowledges that life is often difficult and that sometimes we simply have to endure and persist through tough times. Despite this, the final lines also suggest that the very fact we can remember those tough times is a marker of our resilience and strength.