Queen and Paul parted ways amicably in 2009, with Paul remarking that he would like to get back together in the future to raise money for charity. Paul has since reunited with Bad Company, and they toured in 2010. Over the years, he's also successfully toured and released albums with his own group centered around him. Paul is ranked number 55 on Rolling Stone magazine's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". His work has been long influenced by American blues and rock n roll, and he helped play a role in the 70s arena rock and hard rock scenes both in the U.K. and the U.S.
Wishing Well
Paul Rodgers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you ain't goin' anywhere
Run 'round the town singin' your blues
I know you ain't goin' anywhere
You've always been a good friend of mine
But you're always sayin' "Farewell"
And the only time that you're satisfied
Throw down your gun, you might shoot yourself
Or is that what you're tryin' to do?
Put up a fight you believe to be right
And someday the sun will shine through
You've always got something to hide
Something you just can't tell
And the only time that you're satisfied
Is with your feet in the wishing well
But I know what you're wishing for
Love in a peaceful world (yeah)
Love in a peaceful world (oh yeah)
Love in a peaceful world
You have always been a good friend of mine
But you're always sayin' "farewell"
And the only time that you're satisfied
Is with your feet in the wishing well
Yes
I wish you well
I wish you well
Everybody has a wish
Everybody has a dream yeah, yeah
I wish you well
Well, you dream
Your own dream
The lyrics in Paul Rodgers's song "Wishing Well" speak to someone who is struggling with inner turmoil and constantly seeking happiness, yet always falling short. The opening lines, "Take off your hat, kick off your shoes / I know you ain't goin' anywhere," indicate that the person being addressed is restless and looking for something more. The following lines - "Run 'round the town singin' your blues / I know you ain't goin' anywhere" - suggest that this person is vocal about their problems and seeking attention for them, yet not taking any steps to solve them.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that the only time this person is content is when their feet are in the wishing well - a metaphor for wishing for something to change without actually taking action to make it happen. The second verse tells this person to "throw down your gun, you might shoot yourself," indicating the self-destructive nature of their behavior. The lyrics then offer a glimmer of hope with the line "Someday the sun will shine through," suggesting that there is a way out of this pattern of unhappiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Take off your hat, kick off your shoes
Relax and unwind, don't worry about leaving
I know you ain't goin' anywhere
I understand you're not leaving this place
Run 'round the town singin' your blues
Expressing your sadness through music as a way of coping
I know you ain't goin' anywhere
I understand you're not leaving this place
You've always been a good friend of mine
You've been a loyal companion to me for a long time
But you're always sayin' "Farewell"
You're constantly talking about leaving, but you never do
And the only time that you're satisfied
You only feel content when you're indulging in your own wishes
Is with your feet in the wishing well
You find happiness in your own daydreams and fantasies
Throw down your gun, you might shoot yourself
Stop fighting and causing harm to yourself
Or is that what you're tryin' to do?
Are you trying to harm yourself deliberately?
Put up a fight you believe to be right
Stand up for what you think is the right thing to do
And someday the sun will shine through
If you keep persisting, things will eventually get better
You've always got something to hide
You're keeping some secrets to yourself
Something you just can't tell
There are some things that you're not ready to reveal yet
And the only time that you're satisfied
You only feel content when you're indulging in your own wishes
Is with your feet in the wishing well
You find happiness in your own daydreams and fantasies
But I know what you're wishing for
I understand the things that you truly desire
Love in a peaceful world (yeah)
You want to experience love in a world that's at peace
Love in a peaceful world (oh yeah)
You really want to experience love in a world that's at peace
Love in a peaceful world
The main thing that you want is love in a world without violence or hate
You have always been a good friend of mine
You've been a loyal companion to me for a long time
But you're always sayin' "farewell"
You're constantly talking about leaving, but you never do
And the only time that you're satisfied
You only feel content when you're indulging in your own wishes
Is with your feet in the wishing well
You find happiness in your own daydreams and fantasies
Yes
Affirmation of agreement
I wish you well
I hope for the best for you
I wish you well
I hope for the best for you
Everybody has a wish
Everyone has something they want or strive for in life
Everybody has a dream yeah, yeah
Everyone has aspirations they want to achieve
I wish you well
I hope for the best for you
Well, you dream
Go ahead and have your own dreams
Your own dream
Chase your dreams and aspirations
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gerald Beckley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BengtLofqvist
I got goosebumps and tears in my eyes and that is not often these days. First time i listen to this live version, always loved the song and always loved his voice, but as it said down below in the comments oh God that man can sing
@tomedwards1879
Paul Rodgers is the best lead singer of any rock band by a million miles
@grobbler1
He's stunning, but no Ian Gillan.
@tomedwards1879
Ive seen both of them live and believe me , it's not even close. Ian Gillan is a screamer, whilst Paul Rodgers is a singer.
@grobbler1
@@tomedwards1879 Nah. Gillan has a great range. The screams were just dynamics that were the icing on the cake.
@tomedwards1879
@@grobbler1well ive seen them both live. Im telling you Gillan is not in the same league. Not even close
@grobbler1
@@tomedwards1879 Nah.
@Katsem
God, that man can sing. Sounds as good as he did in 1970.
@rdubay01
Saw him 4 years ago at DTE in Clarkston and I'm wowed
@ericr5431
Better!!!! I seen FREE at the Syndrome when I was a junior in high school.