I Wish
How to Dress Well Lyrics

I wish, I wish, I wish
Expressing a strong desire for the following things

To every city, every hood, and every block
Wishing for the message of the song to reach people in every part of America

Ghetto America
Wishing for the struggles of people living in America's ghettos to be recognized

Rollin' through the hood
Driving around the neighborhood

Just stopped to say what's up
Visiting a friend's house and briefly catching up

And let you know your baby boy aint doin' so tough
Telling the friend's mother that the singer is struggling with life

Even though you passed, going on four long years
The friend's mother has passed away four years ago

Still waking up late at night crying tears
The singer is still grieving the loss of the friend's mother

Just thinkin' about those days you used to talk to me
Recalling the conversations the singer had with the friend's mother

Smilin' while I'm sippin'on this Hennessy
Drinking Hennessy while reminiscing about the past

And remember we'd brag on how rich we would be
Talking about aspirations to succeed and become wealthy

To get out this hood was like a fantasy
Leaving the neighborhood seemed impossible and unattainable

Now you hear my songs, the radio is playin'
Talking about how the singer's music is getting popular and played on the radio

Oh I can't believe my ears and what everybody is sayin'
Expressing disbelief in the success of the singer's music

Boy I tell you folks don't know the half
Saying that despite the success, people don't know the true struggles and pain that the singer experiences

I would give it all up just to take on ride with you
The singer would give up all of his success to be able to spend time with his friend's mother again

How I used to kick it on the front porch with you
Reminiscing about spending time with the friend's mother on the front porch

And how I used to lay back and smoke weed with you
Remembering smoking weed with the friend's mother

And all the little basement party joints we'd do
Recalling the small parties held in the friend's mother's basement

Now I'm just missing you
Expressing the pain and loss of not being able to see the friend's mother again

I wish that I could hold you now
Wishing to be able to physically hold the friend's mother

I wish that I could touch you now
Wishing to be able to touch the friend's mother

I wish that I could talk to you, be with you somehow
Wishing to be able to have a conversation and spend time with the friend's mother

I know you're in a better place, even though I can't see your face
Acknowledging that the friend's mother is no longer suffering but expressing the pain of not being able to see her again

I know you're smilin' down at me, sayin' everything's OK
Believing that the friend's mother is watching over the singer and wants him to be happy

And if I make it out this thug life, I'll see you again someday
Expressing the hope of being reunited with the friend's mother in the future

Ever since this money come, it's been nothing but stress
Talking about how money has brought more stress to the singer's life

Sometimes I wish that I could just trade in my success
Wishing to give up the success for a simpler and happier life

Y'all look at me and say, Boy, you've been blessed
People see the singer as lucky and fortunate

But y'all don't see the inside of my unhappiness
People don't see the struggles and pain that the singer experiences beyond his success

Man, I swear this shit gets heavy like a ton
Expressing the weight and burden of the singer's responsibilities, success, and hardships

That's why you hear me shootin' this real shit off like a gun
The singer expresses his emotions and feelings honestly and directly through his music

Mmmm I wonder how my friends would treat me now, if I was iced up with a Bentley and a house
Wondering whether his friends would treat him differently if he had more wealth and success

That's why fake-ass niggas get fake-ass digits, and fake-ass player get a real player hatin'em
Commenting on how fake people are only interested in a person's success and how some people become envious and hateful towards successful individuals

Honey Love goes platinum and y'all ass come 'round, but y'all don't wanna raise the roof until my shit is goin' down
People only show up and celebrate the singer's success once it's reached a certain level and ignore him when he's struggling

Voices in my head be tellin' me to come to church, say the lord is the only way for you to stop the hurt
The singer is struggling with pain and confusion, and is contemplating turning to religion for guidance and healing

Dreaming of windows black-tinted like a hearse, but waking up to life sometimes seems worse
Expressing the desire for privacy and protection from the outside world but acknowledging that life can be difficult and painful

And all I ever wanted is to be a better man, and I try to keep it real with my homies, man
The singer has a desire to be a better person and stay true to his values and principles

Want me to save the world, I don't understand, how did I become the leader of a billion fans
Feeling overwhelmed and confused by the expectations and responsibilities placed on him as a successful artist with many fans

Instead of y'all throwin' them stones at me, somebody pray for me
Expressing the desire for support and understanding from others instead of judgement