Wishlist
Eddie Vedder:: "It was a stream-of-consciousness exercise. McCready booked … Read Full Bio ↴Eddie Vedder:: "It was a stream-of-consciousness exercise. McCready booked studio time in a tiny studio here with our friend Stu behind the board and another friend playing drums. We don't have the discipline to sit down and teach each other parts, so you're writing simple chord changes that someone else can follow without having to take breaks to learn them. It was probably eight minutes long originally. I listened to the tape and picked out the better wishes." (Source Wishlist Songfacts).

Wishlist
Pearl Jam Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wish I was a neutron bomb for once I could go off
I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow still lived on
I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on

The Christmas tree I wish I was the star that went on top
I wish I was the evidence I wish I was the grounds
For fifty million hands upraised and open toward the sky
I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me
I wish I was as fortunate as fortunate as me
I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good
I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood

I wish I was an alien at home behind the sun
I wish I was the souvenir you kept your house key on
I wish I was the pedal brake that you depended on
I wish I was the verb 'to trust' and never let you down





I wish I was a radio song, the one that you turned up

Overall Meaning

"Wishlist" is a song by Pearl Jam that speaks volumes about the desires and aspirations of the human mind. The lyrics prompt thinking about all the things we dream of being or doing, and in this realization, it becomes clear as to how susceptible we are to happenings beyond the realm of possibility.


The first line of the song, "I wish I was a neutron bomb for once I could go off", articulates a desire to have the power to make a massive impact on the world. This implies a level of frustration where the person who desires this power feels powerless in their current situation. The following lines, "I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow still lived on, I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on the Christmas tree" suggest that the person desires to be remembered even if it means sacrificing themselves. They also amplify the desire to be essential, to matter in the lives of other people.


The line "I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me" speaks to the human desire for companionship and to be with people who matter to us. The song's lyrics express a simple desire to be fortunate, to have good news, to be trustworthy and dependable, and to be a source of comfort and joy to others. It's as though the collective imagination of the human mind is at play here, and the lyrics paint a dream-like picture of the perfect world that we wish to exist in.


Line by Line Meaning

I wish I was a neutron bomb for once I could go off
I wish I could explode with power and make a profound impact.


I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow still lived on
I wish I could make a sacrifice for the greater good and continue to exist afterwards.


I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on the Christmas tree
I wish I held a special place in your heart, like a cherished decoration on a holiday tree.


I wish I was the star that went on top
I wish I was the shining star that stood out and symbolized hope and positivity.


I wish I was the evidence I wish I was the grounds
I wish I could provide proof and justification for something, be the foundation for it to stand on.


For fifty million hands upraised and open toward the sky
I wish I could inspire and unify a large group of people to lift their hands in awe and wonder towards the heavens.


I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me
I wish I had someone who anxiously waited for my safe return after a long voyage.


I wish I was as fortunate as fortunate as me
I acknowledge and appreciate the blessings in my life, and wish others were equally fortunate.


I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good
I wish I could deliver only positive news, and bring joy and relief to people's lives.


I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro's hood
I wish I could radiate beauty and light like the full moon, reflected on a sleek and classic car.


I wish I was an alien at home behind the sun
I wish I could explore and exist in a world completely foreign to our own.


I wish I was the souvenir you kept your house key on
I wish I held a special significance in your life and was a constant reminder of happy memories.


I wish I was the pedal brake that you depended on
I wish I played a vital role in your life and provided a sense of security and stability.


I wish I was the verb 'to trust' and never let you down
I wish I could embody the concept of trust and always be reliable and dependable for those who need it.


I wish I was a radio song, the one that you turned up
I wish I could provide the soundtrack to your life and be the song that you love to blast and sing along to.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE VEDDER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Rodolfo Diaz Navarro

I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good... We can all relate to this song, I believe this is because we all have love in us. This song is so full of love.

Bambi Pardis

Its Christmas song

svirq

We are made of Love ❤
We are made with Love ❤
We are made for Love ❤
We are Love ❤

Rodolfo Diaz Navarro

@svirq Yes, absolutely yes.

Count Encryptic

You and me both, my good man.

4 More Replies...

32a34a

Eddie Vedder's voice is like medicine for the soul.

Mr Spawnlord

32a34a ..my line usually goes,
..."food for my soul"
either way bro, beautiful comment..

Cornelius Hometeam

N m

filippo random phil

:)

Good Morning

Couldnt agree more

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