Grown-up Christmas List
Foster David Lyrics


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Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you
With childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown up now
Can you still help somehow

I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream
So here's my lifelong wish
My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend

That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up
Christmas list
What is this illusion called

The innocence of youth
Maybe only in their blind belief
Can we ever find the truth
There'd be no more lives torn apart
And wars would never start

And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list




This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list

Overall Meaning

The song "Grown-Up Christmas List," written by David Foster and Linda Thompson-Jenner, is a nostalgic and emotional track that speaks to the innocence and hope of childhood, juxtaposed against the harsh realities of the world as an adult. The lyrics start by addressing Santa Claus as a figure from the singer's childhood, reminiscing on how they used to write to him with childish fantasies about what they wanted for Christmas. However, now that the singer is grown up, they have a different kind of wish list. Instead of wanting material presents for themselves, they express a lifelong desire for peace and love in the world.


The singer wishes for an end to war and violence, hoping that lives will no longer be torn apart in conflicts. They also desire that time will heal all hearts and that every person will have a friend. The lyrics suggest that the singer believes in an idealistic vision of the world, where good always triumphs over evil and love never comes to an end. The song's title refers to the fact that the singer's Christmas list has evolved from simple childhood wants to deeper desires for the world they live in.


The song's tone is melancholic, yet hopeful, with a tinge of sadness for the loss of the singer's childlike innocence, and optimism for what could be possible if everyone shared their vision for a better world. Overall, the track is a heartfelt reminder to consider the needs of others during the holiday season and to strive for a more peaceful and loving world.


Line by Line Meaning

Do you remember me
The singer is addressing Santa Claus, asking if he remembers them from childhood.


I sat upon your knee
The singer recalls sitting on Santa's lap as a child.


I wrote to you
The singer sent letters to Santa in their youth.


With childhood fantasies
The artist had many wishes and dreams in their childhood letters to Santa.


Well, I'm all grown up now
The artist is acknowledging that they are no longer a child.


Can you still help somehow
The singer is asking Santa if there's anything he can do to help a world in need.


I'm not a child
The singer is stating that they are now an adult.


But my heart still can dream
Even though the artist is no longer a child, they still have hopes and dreams in their heart.


So here's my lifelong wish
The artist is about to share their one and only lifelong wish.


My grown-up Christmas list
The artist's wish for a better world is what they consider to be their adult Christmas list.


Not for myself
The singer is clarifying that their wish is not selfish or for their own benefit.


But for a world in need
The artist's wish is for the betterment of everyone, for a world that is struggling.


No more lives torn apart
The singer wants to see a world where people are not separated or hurt by violence or conflict.


That wars would never start
The singer does not want any more wars or conflicts to arise in the world.


And time would heal all hearts
The singer believes that given enough time, people can heal from the pain they've experienced.


Every man would have a friend
The artist wants to see a world where everyone has someone they can rely on and call a friend.


That right would always win
The artist wants to see justice prevail in the world, with the right decision being made in every situation.


And love would never end
The singer believes that love should permeate every aspect of life, and should never cease to be present in the world.


What is this illusion called
The singer is questioning what it means to have the innocence of youth and if it's something that can only be found in a child's perspective.


The innocence of youth
The artist is referring to the idea that children have a certain purity and naivety about them, which may be lost as they grow older.


Maybe only in their blind belief
The artist is suggesting that perhaps young children are able to hold onto this innocence and belief in the good of the world because they are not yet fully aware of all of the bad things that may be happening around them.


Can we ever find the truth
The artist is wondering if it's possible to find the true meaning or purpose of life, even after losing the innocence of youth.


This is my only lifelong wish
The singer emphasizes that this is their only wish, showing the importance of their desire for a better world.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Linda Thompson, David Foster

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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