Consider… Read Full Bio ↴Originally performed by Free on their 1973 album Heartbreaker.
Considered one of the band's "definitive" songs, it reached #7 on the UK charts.
Wishing Well
Queen Paul Rodgers Lyrics
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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.
And I know what you're wishing for
Love in a peaceful world
Love in a peaceful world
Love in a peaceful world
Love in a peaceful world
You've 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.
In "Wishing Well," Queen and Paul Rodgers sing about a familiar figure - a friend who never stays put, always running away from their problems. The lyrics urge this person to stop running and start fighting, both for their own well-being and for a better world. The wishing well, which pops up throughout the song, is a metaphor for this person's tendency to seek solace in false hopes, rather than taking action to change their circumstances.
The first verse speaks directly to this person, urging them to stay and confront their problems, rather than running around town feeling sorry for themselves. The second verse takes a darker turn, with Queen and Rodgers speculating that this person might even be considering suicide (hence the line "throw down your gun"). However, they offer a glimmer of hope, with the lyrics "put up a fight you believe to be right, and someday the sun will shine through."
The chorus is where the metaphor of the wishing well really comes into play. This person is never satisfied, always wishing for something more, and the only time they feel content is when they're living in a fantasy world, rather than confronting reality. But Queen and Rodgers also recognize that this person is longing for something real - love in a peaceful world - and they urge them to start fighting for it.
Overall, "Wishing Well" is a song about the importance of taking action, rather than retreating into fantasies or relying on false hopes. It's a message that's particularly relevant in today's world, where it can be tempting to give up in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Take off your hat, kick off your shoes
Let's relax and forget about the outside world, for just a little while
I know you ain't goin' anywhere
You don't have any plans, except for the present moment
Run 'round the town singin' your blues
You're feeling down and out and just want to let it all out
I know you ain't goin' anywhere.
You're not going anywhere, but that's okay, let's stay here and talk it out
You've always been a good friend of mine,
You've been there for me in the past, and I value our friendship
But you're always sayin' "Farewell"
You tend to leave abruptly, without explanation
And the only time that you're satisfied
You're only truly happy when you're alone, with your thoughts
Is with your feet in the wishing well.
You find comfort in the idea of making wishes, as if that will make your problems disappear
Throw down your gun, you might shoot yourself
Stop fighting yourself and let go of your anger or sadness
Or is that what you're tryin' to do?
Are you subconsciously trying to hurt yourself?
Put up a fight you believe to be right
Don't stay silent, stand up for your beliefs
And someday the sun will shine through.
If you keep fighting for what you believe in, things will eventually get better
You've always got something to hide
You keep certain things to yourself, even from those closest to you
Something you just can't tell
You have secrets even you don't fully understand or want to confront
And the only time that you're satisfied
You find peace when you're alone and not forced to confront your issues
Is with your feet in the wishing well.
You escape into your imagination, hoping for a solution that doesn't involve working through your problems
And I know what you're wishing for
I can tell what you want, even if you won't say it out loud
Love in a peaceful world
You want to be surrounded by love and kindness
Love in a peaceful world
You want to live in a world where love and acceptance are the norm
Love in a peaceful world
You believe that love and peace are the answer to all our problems
Love in a peaceful world
You long for a world where everyone is treated with love, kindness and respect
You've always been a good friend of mine,
Despite your flaws, I still see you as a good friend and care about you deeply
But you're always sayin' "Farewell"
Your tendency to run away from your problems makes it hard to maintain a strong connection
And the only time that you're satisfied
You find peace in moments of solitude, but ultimately, it doesn't solve your problems
Is with your feet in the wishing well.
You're obsessed with the idea of escaping your issues and finding a solution that doesn't require effort or hard work
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GERALD BECKLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind