White began performing when she was a child, singing in a gospel group with her parents and brother. The group, called the White Family Singers, sang at local church and community gathering. After a while, the children began working pop music into the act, most notably Elvis Presley. As a teenager, Lari sang show tunes at talent contests and sang with a local rock & roll band. She earned a scholarship to the University of Miami, where she studied vocals and music engineering. After a while, she began writing her own songs, singing in local clubs at night and taking professional singing jobs. Upon graduating from college, she travelled around the United States, looking at various local music scenes. In 1988, she decided to move to Nashville and try to become a professional.
Later in 1988, she appeared on the Nashville Network's You Can Be a Star and won the first prize. The award led to a record contract with Capitol. Before the end of the year, she had released a single on Capitol, "Flying Above the Rain," which became a regional hit in the South but failed to break into the big time. Later that same year, she joined Ronnie Milsap's publishing house and began taking acting lessons. For the next few years, White continued in this vein, choosing to hone her talent, sing in local dinner theaters and wait for another break. That break arrived in 1991, after an ASCAP showcase revived interest in her talents. Following the showcase, Rodney Crowell asked her to sing backup vocals in his live band. In 1992, White signed a record contract with RCA and Crowell produced her debut album, Lead Me Not, which was released the following year.
Lead Me Not received strong reviews and produced three minor hit singles: "What a Woman Wants," "Lead Me Not," and "Lay Around and Love You." Wishes, White's second album, became her breakthrough release, producing the Top Ten singles "That's My Baby," "Now I Know," and "That's How You Know (When You're in Love)." Don't Fence Me In, White's third album, wasn't quite as successful as its predecessor, but it continued her success. Stepping Stone followed in 1998. In 2004, after a lenghty hiatus that found the artist building her own home studio, White released the self-produced Green Eyed Soul on the UK based Mesmerizing Records.
Wishes
Lari White Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If wishes were horses
I'd ride a fast one
If wishes were wings
I'd fly wild and free
If wishes were trains
I'd be on the last one
You'd be loving me
If wishes were blue skies
I'd never get rained on
I'd walk in the sun
Whenever I please
If wises were dreams
I'd dream the same one
Over and over
Of you loving me
I whisper your name
On each star I see falling
That old wishing well
Gets each penny I find
And every year I blow out every candle
And close my eyes
And wish you were mine
Oh if wishes came true
Then you would be mine
The lyrics of the song "Wishes" by Lari White express the sentiment of wanting things to be different and yearning for someone's love. The song starts with the simile "if wishes were horses, I'd ride a fast one" which sets the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The lyrics personify different modes of transportation like horses, wings, and trains to convey a sense of longing to get away and be with the one they love. If wishes could come true, the person in the song would be with their desired love interest. The song taps into the listeners’ sense of hope and expresses the deep desire to be with someone who doesn’t reciprocate their feelings.
The chorus sings: "If wishes were blue skies, I'd never get rained on / I'd walk in the sun, whenever I please / If wishes were dreams, I'd dream the same one / Over and over, of you loving me." These lyrics continue the theme of wanting things to be perfect and not having any obstacles in their path. The verse "I whisper your name on each star I see falling / That old wishing well gets each penny I find / And every year I blow out every candle / And close my eyes and wish you were mine" further explores the idea of trying everything possible to make a wish come true.
Line by Line Meaning
If wishes were horses
If simple desires could be easily fulfilled
I'd ride a fast one
I would have only the best
If wishes were wings
If simple desires could easily take flight
I'd fly wild and free
I would enjoy boundless freedom
If wishes were trains
If simple desires could be as reliable and convenient as trains
I'd be on the last one
I would take advantage of the very last train ride available
If wishes came true
If simple desires could easily come to fruition
You'd be loving me
You would be romantically interested in me
If wishes were blue skies
If simple desires brought only clear and perfect weather
I'd never get rained on
I would never have to face any difficulties or obstacles
I'd walk in the sun
I would bask in happiness and fulfillment
Whenever I please
At any time that I wished
If wishes were dreams
If simple desires could be manifested in the subconscious mind
I'd dream the same one
I would have the same dream repeatedly
Over and over
Again and again
Of you loving me
In which you showed me affection and care
I whisper your name
I say your name very quietly
On each star I see falling
Whenever I witness a shooting star
That old wishing well
A well believed to fulfill wishes when coins are thrown inside
Gets each penny I find
I give every coin I come across to the well
And every year I blow out every candle
At each birthday, I extinguish every candle on the cake
And close my eyes
I shut my eyes tight
And wish you were mine
I hope you could be with me romantically
Then you would be mine
My wish for you to be with me romantically would be granted
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Harold Machroli
Just watched Big Eden and had to hear this song again. Gives me goosebumps. Absolutely amazing!
purplekraze93
Harold Machroli me too its on repeat for me. I sing and hum it all the time!!
Jude Evans
I love that movie, which is what got me looking for this song. 💜
Michael Scott
Honestly, one of my all-time favorite movies. This song gets me every time.
Expressive World
Me too❤
bradly odinsson
Found this through Big Eden and loved the song. Such a beautiful and poignant expression from a lovely singer.
westexbear
People really need to discover this beautiful artist. The song and music its simplicity pulls at your heartstrings. thanks for posting
purplekraze93
westexbear right though!!
Michael Kip
My wife and I dance to this regularly and at out wedding reception. Love you Linda.
19ford53
RIP Lari! You will be greatly missed. Gone to soon.