Keyboardist/singer/songwriter/arranger/musical director Patrice Rushen has … Read Full Bio ↴Keyboardist/singer/songwriter/arranger/musical director Patrice Rushen has had an outstanding career with several Top Ten R&B hits, including "Haven't You Heard," "Forget Me Nots," "Feels So Real," and "Watch Out." Arguably she has received much of her popularity through other acts copying or sampling her material. "Forget Me Nots" was the basis of Will Smith's "Men in Black" from the blockbuster movie of the same name on Big Willie Style and George Michael extensively used the same track for his hit 'Fastlove'. R. Kelly's "Remind Me" was sampled from her "You Remind Me," a popular radio-aired LP track from Straight From the Heart. Others who have sampled Rushen's music include Def Jeff (Rushen's "Hang It Up") Zhane ("Groove Thang") and a dance act called Daddy's Favourite who remade 'Haven't you heard' into a track called "I Feel Good Things For You".

Born September 30,1954, in Los Angeles, CA, Rushen's parents enrolled her in music classes at U.S.C. when she was three. In her teens, she won a solo competition at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival. The attention garnered from this earned her a contract with Prestige Records. After recording three albums and becoming an in-demand session player, Rushen signed with Elektra Records in 1978. Forging an engaging jazz/R&B/funk fusion, she regularly hit the R&B charts. Her five albums for the label were Patrice, Pizzazz, Posh, Straight From the Heart, and Now. Some of these sides can be found on Haven't You Heard:The Best of Patrice Rushen.

In 1993, Rushen signed with Disney's Hollywood Records. Her first and only release was the excellent Anything but Ordinary, which yielded the inspiring single "My Heart, Your Heart." Hollywood wasn't satisfied with the album and shelved it. Sindrome Records bought the rights to the album and reissued it with the single, and some LP tracks received airplay on R&B and smooth jazz radio stations. Rushen became a member of the jazz collective the Meeting, appearing on several releases. Her busy schedule includes session dates and being the musical director for several different tours and TV specials. 1997's Signature found Rushen returning to her jazz roots for this solid album of instrumentals.

In fall 2000, Patrice Rushen appeared as a part of Sisters Being Positively Real, an act on Brown Baby Entertainment Group.
is an American jazz pianist and R&B singer. She is also a composer, record producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and music director. Her 1982 single, "Forget Me Nots", received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Rushen had great success on the R&B and dance charts. "Haven't You Heard" went number 7 on the R&B charts, with "Forget Me Nots" as her only top 40 pop hit in the United States.
Rushen is the elder of two daughters born to Allen and Ruth Rushen.[1] In her teens, she attended south LA's Locke High School and went on to earn a degree in music from the University of Southern California.[2] Rushen married Marc St. Louis, a concert tour manager and live show production specialist,[3] in 1986.[4] They have one son Cameron.[4][5] Her nickname is "Babyfingers," a reference to her small hands. In 2005, Rushen received an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree from Berklee College of Music.[6] She has been a member of jazz fusion band CAB.[7]

Her song "Hang it Up" was featured on the 2005 video game Fahrenheit.[8]

Wishful Thinking
Patrice Rushen Lyrics

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I have walked and talked beside you
If only in a dream I had last night
I adore you
But if my dreams and thoughts about you
Gliding in endless fly past my heart

Shall I put my arms around you?
Would it be too bold if I did?

Should I approach you?
Oh how many times I've watched you
All of my intentions have been for you
To try me
You're like my music, cause it's love in my soul
(Wish I knew ya, could talk to ya)
Wishful thinking (Wishful thinking)
I am a poetess, we can run
All day long
(Let me know ya, I can show ya)
Wishful thinking (Wishful thinking)
Shall I put my arms around you?
Would it be too bold if I did?
Should I approach you?
Oh how many times I've watched you
All of my intentions have been for you
To try me
You're like my music, cause it's love in my soul
(Wish I knew ya, could talk to ya)
Wishful thinking (Wishful thinking)
I am a poetess, we can run
All day long

(Let me know ya, I can show ya)
Wishful thinking (Wishful thinking)

You're like my music, cause it's love in my soul
Let's make this more than just
Wishful thinking (wishful thinking)
You're like my music, cause it's love in my soul
Let's make this more than just
Wishful thinking (wishful thinking)
You're like my music, cause it's love in my soul
Let's make this more than just
Wishful thinking (wishful thinking)
You're like my music, cause it's love in my soul
Let's make this more than just

Wishful thinking (wishful thinking)
You're like my music, cause it's love in my soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Patrice Rushen's song "Wishful Thinking" appear to be about unrequited love. The singer is expressing feelings of admiration for someone who they have only seen in their dreams or from afar. The singer longs to connect with this person and wonders if they should take the risk to approach them. Throughout the song, the singer compares their feelings for this person to the love and passion they feel for their music.

The lines "You're like my music, cause it's love in my soul" and "Let's make this more than just wishful thinking" suggest that the singer wants to turn their dreams into reality and pursue a relationship with this person. However, they acknowledge that their desire may only be a fantasy, hence the title "Wishful Thinking."

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of yearning and hopefulness, as the singer grapples with the uncertain prospect of whether or not their feelings will be returned.

Line by Line Meaning

I have walked and talked beside you
Although we may have never actually met or spoken, I have imagined and dreamt about being in your presence.

If only in a dream I had last night
My encounter with you has only been in my subconscious.

I adore you
I have strong feelings of affection and admiration towards you.

But if my dreams and thoughts about you
As much as I enjoy fantasizing about you, I acknowledge that it is only in my mind.

Gliding in endless fly past my heart
The idea of you continually floats through my heart and mind.

Shall I put my arms around you?
I am considering the possibility of making a move on you physically.

Would it be too bold if I did?
I am hesitant to take action because I do not want to risk offending or scaring you.

Should I approach you?
I am trying to figure out if it would be appropriate to initiate contact with you.

Oh how many times I've watched you
I have observantly noticed you on multiple occasions.

All of my intentions have been for you
My purpose and desire has been solely focused on you.

To try me
I am hoping that you will give me an opportunity to show you who I really am.