One of the most popular African-American comedians of the late 1990s, TV star turned screen actor Jamie Foxx first became known for his many roles on Keenen Ivory Wayans’ long-running comedy variety show In Living Color. Since then, Foxx has played both raucous and sensitive nice-guy roles in a number of films, and earned particular acclaim for his portrayal of a talented but egotistical quarterback in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday.
Born Eric Bishop in the small town of Terrell, Texas, on December 13, 1967, Foxx was raised by his grandparents after his parents separated. He enjoyed a happy upbringing, going to church every day with his grandparents and excelling at everything from academics to music to football. During his teen years he had his first taste of the entertainment business as his church’s choir director and music director, and also started his own R&B band. Foxx studied music while a student at the U.S. International University in San Diego; it was during his college days that he got his start as a stand-up comedian. Attending a comedy club one night with some friends, he was encouraged to take the stage and perform some impersonations, which proved incredibly popular with the audience. Foxx’s enthusiastic reception led to his decision to move to L.A. and pursue a comedy career. At the age of 22 he was hired for In Living Color, and he subsequently landed a recurring role on Charles Dutton’s sitcom Roc in 1985.
Foxx was ultimately given his own show in 1996; that same year, he appeared in a supporting role in The Truth About Cats and Dogs, which cast him as a friend of Ben Chaplin. He was also featured in the boxing satire The Great White Hype, and the following year he got star billing opposite fellow comedian Tommy Davidson in the poorly received comedy Booty Call. After playing a DJ in Ice Cube’s The Players Club (1998), Foxx earned some of his best reviews to date for his role in Any Given Sunday (1999). He subsequently returned to straight comedy, starring in Antoine Fuqua’s crime comedy Bait as an ex-con trying to mend his ways, and as a man caught in a convenience stored robbery in Held Up.
In 2001, Foxx was given an opportunity to again flex the dramatic chops he displayed in Any Given Sunday with a role as Drew Bundi Brown in Michael Mann’s biopic Ali. Then, after a role in the barely seen 2003 Sylvester Stallone drama Shade, Foxx embarked on his busiest year yet. 2004 saw him star in no fewer than four films, the most noteworthy of them being the thriller Collateral. The tense summer flick not only saw Foxx again under the direction of Mann, but cast on an equal level with Hollywood uber-star Tom Cruise. His turn as a hapless cab driver who is forced into a menacing partnership slowly advancing Foxx’s dramatic screen presence, the role served as proof to many that his talents extended well beyond what many may have suspected. When it was announced shortly thereafter that Foxx would be donning the trademark sunglasses to essay the role of legendary blues pianist Ray Charles in Director Taylor Hackford’s eagerly anticipated biopic Ray, it was only a matter of time before audiences found out how deep Foxx’s talents as an actor truly ran. So effective was Foxx in recreating Charles’ unique style and unmistakable visage that many critics speculated an Oscar nomination may be in calling for the one-time funnyman turned dramatic powerhouse. When the star-studded evening in February did finally arrive and the envelope that would reveal the best actor of 2005 was breathlessly opened, Foxx did indeed take the prize — raising already stratospheric expectations regarding his future career to a fever pitch.
Foxx subverted expectations by capitalizing on his Oscar win with an R&B album that garnered respectable reviews and solid sales. He returned to films in the summer action flop Stealth — in a supporting role to would-be superstar Josh Lucas — and appeared as a leader of men in Sam Mendes’ Gulf War film Jarhead. In 2006 he reteamed with Michael Mann, starring as Tubbs in the big-screen adaptation of Miami Vice. Late in the year, he starred in the much-anticipated adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, opposite fellow actor-musicians hyphenates Eddie Murphy and Beyoncé Knowles. He is also known for his big leading role in Law Abiding Citizen.
Wish U Were Here
Jamie Foxx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I might be doin' better
It's kinda hard tryin' to survive
In all this crazy weather
Everybody wants my number
Everybody's callin' my name
But in the midst of all of this
I can still hear you say
Son, walk upright
And straighten your tie
You don't want one of those good jobs to pass you by, no
Don't act no fool
I'm watching you
And now that you're gone, it still feels like you do
I wish (I wish)
I wish you were here
To see the things I've done
I wish you were here
You'd be so proud of your son
I wish you were here
To celebrate with me
I wish you were here
Now all of these people ask me
"Is it lonely at the top?"
Or do I find comfort
In all the things I got
Well these cars keep me movin'
These planes keep me high
A million dollar home
But I'm barely gettin' by
'Cause I miss our talks (whoa)
One thing you used to say (used to say)
When things got hard (hard on me)
Get down on your knees and pray
And then those walks (then those walks)
It's just the simple things
We still do all of this
But only in my dreams
I wish, oh
(I wish you were here) wish you were here with me
To see the things I've done
I wish (you were here)
You would be so proud of your son
(I wish you were here)
And that's all I know to say
That's all I know to pray (to celebrate with me)
Is that I wish you were here
But sometimes I wonder why
Why can't you still be here with me?
Wish God would've waited a couple more years for you to see
I'm tryna stay strong
Barely holdin' on
I know I'll see you again, but for right now, rest in peace
And when I get to heaven
First thing they'll say to me
Tell me have you seen Estelle Marie Talley?
Find out where you are
Run into your arms
Wrap your wings around me
And whisper in my ear, well done
(I wish you were here) well, well, well done, my son
(To see the things I've done) well done, well done, oh
(I wish you were here)
(You'd be so proud of your son)
(I wish you were here)
(To celebrate with me)
(I wish you were here)
The song "Wish U Were Here" by Jamie Foxx is a heartfelt tribute to his mother who passed away. The lyrics of the song reflect on his mother's words of wisdom and guidance, which are still resonating with him even after her death. As the song begins, Foxx admits that he might be doing better by the time his mother would have received his letter. He reflects on the challenges of his life as a celebrity and how everybody wants a piece of him, but despite that, he still remembers his mother's advice to walk upright, straighten his tie and not let any good opportunities pass him by. He also recalls that his mother always watched over him and advised him not to act like a fool. He admits that even after her death, he still feels her presence.
The chorus "I wish you were here" is a recurring phrase throughout the song, expressing Foxx's longing for his mother's presence. Foxx wishes that his mother could see all the things he has achieved and would have been proud of him. He feels that he is barely getting by, despite having everything most people would dream of. He misses the simple things he used to share with his mother - their talks, her advice, and walks they used to take. Foxx recalls his mother's advice to get down on his knees and pray when things got hard, and how such wise words still ring true for him today. He wishes his mother could still be with him on this journey, but he knows that he will see her again in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
By the time you get this letter
At the time you receive this message
I might be doin' better
I may be in a better condition
It's kinda hard tryin' to survive
It's quite difficult to survive
In all this crazy weather
During all these difficult circumstances
Everybody wants my number
Everyone desires to contact me
Everybody's callin' my name
Everyone is addressing me
But in the midst of all of this
Despite all of this
I can still hear you say
I can still recollect your advice
Son, walk upright
My father advises me to be morally upright
And straighten your tie
To look presentable and professional
You don't want one of those good jobs to pass you by, no
I shouldn't lose any opportunities for good jobs
Don't act no fool
I shouldn't act stupidly
I'm watching you
My father is observing me
And now that you're gone, it still feels like you do
Although my father is gone, I still feel his presence
I wish (I wish)
I really desire
I wish you were here
I wish you were still alive and with me
To see the things I've done
To witness my achievements
You'd be so proud of your son
My father would be happy and proud of me
To celebrate with me
To participate in my celebration
Now all of these people ask me
Now many people are inquiring from me
"Is it lonely at the top?"
If I feel lonely being successful
Or do I find comfort
If I'm finding solace
In all the things I got
In my possessions and achievements
Well these cars keep me movin'
These luxury cars keep me on the move
These planes keep me high
These planes keep me in high spirits
A million dollar home
A luxurious house worth millions of dollars
But I'm barely gettin' by
But I'm barely surviving
'Cause I miss our talks (whoa)
I miss chatting with my father
One thing you used to say (used to say)
A particular advice he would always say
When things got hard (hard on me)
When things were difficult for me
Get down on your knees and pray
To kneel down and pray to God
And then those walks (then those walks)
And those walks we used to take
It's just the simple things
It's just the basic things
We still do all of this
We still reminisce about those simple things
But only in my dreams
But only in my imagination
I wish, oh
I desire so much
(I wish you were here) wish you were here with me
I wish you were here so we could be together
And that's all I know to say
That's all there is to say
That's all I know to pray (to celebrate with me)
That's all I know to pray for, to celebrate with me
But sometimes I wonder why
Occasionally, I question why
Why can't you still be here with me?
Why can't my father still be alive?
Wish God would've waited a couple more years for you to see
I wish God had given my father a few more years to live
I'm tryna stay strong
I'm attempting to remain strong
Barely holdin' on
I'm just barely holding on
I know I'll see you again, but for right now, rest in peace
I know I will reunite with my father someday, but for now, he should rest in peace
And when I get to heaven
When I die and reach heaven
First thing they'll say to me
The first thing they'll ask me
Tell me have you seen Estelle Marie Talley?
If I have met my late mother in heaven
Find out where you are
To determine my location
Run into your arms
Embrace you tightly
Wrap your wings around me
To hold me close in a loving hug
And whisper in my ear, well done
To softly congratulate me on my achievements
(I wish you were here) well, well, well done, my son
I desire you to say, well done son
(To see the things I've done) well done, well done, oh
I wish you could see my accomplishments and congratulate me
(You'd be so proud of your son)
You would be really proud of me for my achievements
(I wish you were here)
I really desire you were here with me
(To celebrate with me)
To share celebrated moments with me
(I wish you were here)
I really wish you were here with me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Durrell Babbs, Jamie Foxx, Breyon Prescott, Joseph Bereal, Theron Feemster
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Wannie Wallace
[Verse 1]
By the time you get this letter
I might be doin better
It's kinda hard trying to survive
In all this crazy weather
Everybody wants my number
Everybody's callin my name
But in the midst of all of this
I can still hear you say
Son, walk upright
And straighten yo tie
You don't want one of those good jobs to pass you by
Don't act no fool, I'm watching you
And now that you're gone
It still feels like you do, I Wish
[Chorus]
I wish u were here
To see the things I've done
I wish u were here
You'd be so proud of your son
I wish u were here
To celebrate with me
I wish u were here
[Verse 2]
Now all of these people ask me
"Is it lonely at the top?..."
Or do I find comfort
In all the things I got
Well these cars keep me movin
These planes keep me high
A million dollar home
But I'm barely gettin by
Cause...
I miss our talks,
One thing u used to say (used to say)
When things got hard (Hard on me)
Get down on your knees and pray
And then those walks (then those walks)
Its just the simple thangs
We still do all of this
But only in my dreams, I wish
[Chorus]
I wish u were here
To see the things I've done
I wish u were here
You'd be so proud of your son (you would be so proud of yo son)
I wish u were here (thats all I kno to say, thats all I kno to pray)
To celebrate with me
I wish u were here
But sometimes I wonder why
Why cant u still be here wit me?,
Wish God would've waited a couple more years for u to see
I'm tryna stay strong
Barely holdin on
I kno I'll see u again,
But for right now, rest in peace
And when I get to heaven
First thing they'll say to me
Tell me have u seen Estelle Marie Talley
Find out where u are,
Run into your arms
Wrap yo wings around me
And whisper in my ear, well done
[Chorus]
I wish u were here
To see the things I've done
I wish u were here
You'd be so proud of your son
I wish u were here
To celebrate with me
I wish u were here
edwin
By the time you get this letter
I might be doin better
It's kinda hard trying to survive
In all this crazy weather
Everybody wants my number
Everybody's callin my name
But in the midst of all of this
I can still hear you say
Son, walk upright
And straighten yo tie
You don't want one of those good jobs to pass you by
Don't act no fool, I'm watching you
And now that you're gone
It still feels like you do, I Wish
[Chorus]
I wish u were here
To see the things I've done
I wish u were here
You'd be so proud of your son
I wish u were here
To celebrate with me
I wish u were here
[Verse 2]
Now all of these people ask me
"Is it lonely at the top?..."
Or do I find comfort
In all the things I got
Well these cars keep me movin
These planes keep me high
A million dollar home
But I'm barely gettin by
Cause...
I miss our talks,
One thing u used to say (used to say)
When things got hard (Hard on me)
Get down on your knees and pray
And then those walks (then those walks)
Its just the simple thangs
We still do all of this
But only in my dreams, I wish
[Chorus]
I wish u were here
To see the things I've done
I wish u were here
You'd be so proud of your son (you would be so proud of yo son)
I wish u were here (thats all I kno to say, thats all I kno to pray)
To celebrate with me
I wish u were here
But sometimes I wonder why
Why cant u still be here wit me?,
Wish God would've waited a couple more years for u to see
I'm tryna stay strong
Barely holdin on
I kno I'll see u again,
But for right now, rest in peace
And when I get to heaven
First thing they'll say to me
Tell me have u seen Estelle Marie Talley
Find out where u are,
Run into your arms
Wrap yo wings around me
And whisper in my ear, well done
[Chorus]
I wish u were here
To see the things I've done
I wish u were here
You'd be so proud of your son
I wish u were here
To celebrate with me
I wish u were here
kehumile ramadie
By the time you get this letter, I might be doing better
Its kinda hard trying to survive, in all this crazy weather
Everybody wants my number
Everybody's calling my name
But in the mist of all of this I can still hear you say
"Son walk up right and straighten your tie
You don't want one of them good jobs to pass you by
Don't act no fool, I'm watching you"
And now that you're gone, it still feels like you do, I wish
I wish you were here
To see the things I've done
I wish you were here
You'd be so proud of your son
I wish you were here
To celebrate with me
I wish you were here
Now all of these people ask me, is it lonely at the top
Or do I find comfort in all the things I got
Well these cars keep me moving
These planes keep me high
A million dollar home, but I'm barely getting by cuz
I miss our talks, One thing you used to say
When things got hard, get down on your knees and pray
And then those walks, its just the simple things
We still do all of this, But only in my dreams, I wish
I wish you were here
To see the things I've done
I wish you were here
You'd be so proud of your son
I wish you were here
To celebrate with me
I wish you were here
But sometimes I wonder why
Why can't you still be here with me
Wish God would've waited, a couple more years for you to see
I'm trying to stay strong, barely holding on
I know I'll see you again
But for right now rest in peace
And when I get to heaven, first thing they'll say to me
Tell me have you seen Estelle Marie Tallie
Find out where you are
Run into your arms
Wrap your wings around me, and whisper in my ear, " Well done"
Well, well done my son, well done
I wish you were here
To see the things I've done
I wish you were here
You'd be so proud of your son
I wish you were here
To celebrate with me
I wish you were
Jae Bizzle
This song still hit me hard. I lost my mom in 05. Still hurts till this day.
TJ Davis
07 RIP Meria
Jason Gallagher
How the hell can he sing this song without breaking down. I can't even listen to it without crying. Rest in piece dad. Looking forward to seeing you again. I love you
Jessie Howard
I feel the same way bro I lost my pops as well as u n I tried singing this song I broke down right away
Gee Gee
🎯😢
Arionna Long
I just lost my dad two months ago and this was one of his favorite songs and to hear it kills me but i feel closer to him knowing he’s watching down on me😞 Rip dad 5-22-20❤️
Liz Borders
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your father.
C-Rob 4presidentTV
As I get dressed to lay my mother to rest today this is all I can play , please pray for me
mark thompson
This album dropped about 3months after my grandma passed and gets to me every time. Really wish she could see the man ive become. R.I.p. Adell Thompson
C Holmes
This is a beautiful song. It makes me cry like a baby. Missing my girls. My Grandma Eudora Cobb Swinson and my Mom Stephaline Holmes!!!❤️❤️