Jan Leyers had previous experience in the rock group Beri-Beri, while Paul had experience in the British-Belgian rock group Octopus and as a solo artist.
The group formed in 1986 after Jan and Paul met each other in Paul's hometown of Heist-op-den-Berg (Jan, for his part, is a native of Wilrijk). They debuted that year under the name the Soul Sisters with a single titled "You Get to Me." Later on, they also release the singles "Talk About It" and "Like a Mountain." They had a huge hit with "The Way To Your Heart", a Motown-sounding song which even made the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States while also achieving success in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. In 1988, the group changed its name to SoulSister and their first official album, "It Takes Two," was released, with Paul on the keyboards and Jan on the guitar, with various men on back-up. EMI signs the deal and publishes the album.
In 1990, the two gentlemen underwent another change in name, this time to Leyers, Michiels, and SoulSister. Later that same year, they release Heat, which includes hit singles "Through Before We Started," "Sweet Dreamer," and "Well Well Well." Some of the songs on the album allowed Jan Leyers, who was admittedly more into rock music than soul, show off his skills on the electric guitar.
The group started a triple run in 1992. That year, they released the album Simple Rule, which included a hit title track, as well as "Broken" and "Ain't That Simple." The following year, in 1993, the group released a live album, Live Savings. In the meantime, Jan is asked to co-write "That's As Close as I Get To...", a song that is sung by American country singer Aaron Tippin.
In 1994, the group begins its final chapter with the album "Swinging Like Big Dogs." Popular tracks off of this album are "Wild Love Affair," "If This is Love," "Tell Me What it Takes," and "I Need Some Time." By this time, the group has gone back to being known simply as SoulSister.
In 1995, SoulSister split. Two years later, EMI releases a "Very Best Of" compilation album. Meanwhile, both men go their separate ways. Paul Michiels goes solo and performs the same soulful, Motown-sounding music that made SoulSister a success, while Jan Leyers joins with Filip Cauwelier and Joost Van den Broek to play hard rock music as the band My Velma (named after a character in the Raymond Chandler novel Farewell, My Lovely).
Jan and Paul teamed up again in 2000 to record individual songs for the Jan Verheyen movie Team Spirit. Jan performed a track titled "Only Your Love Will Do" while Paul recorded a piece titled "Shine Your Light on Me."
In 2007 the news was announced Soulsister will reunite for a special concert in 2008. They will play the Sports Palace in Antwerp on March 1. Exactly 20 years after the release of their first album, and 12 years after their split.
Wishing
Soulsister Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every other day would be the same
As this one now
Mmm oh oh!
Praying
Tommorow you still may know my name
Say it loud
Say it loud
Wishing I was the only one beside you
Wishing I was
Wishing I was
Wishing I was the only one to guide you
Wishing I was
Wishing I was
It's funny
It took me so long to get it right
Even so, now we know
Lovers
Don't feel lost in the dead of night
Oh no, no, no
no, no, no!
Wishing I was the only one beside you
Wishing I was
Wishing I was
Wishing I was the only one to guide you
Wishing I was
Wishing I was
Don't deny your love
The way that I did
The way that I did
Don't defy your luck
The way that I once did
Wishing I was
Wishing I was
The only one, only one
Wishing I was
Wishing I was
The only one, only one
Wishing I was the only one beside you
Wishing I was
Wishing I was
Wishing I was the only one to guide you
Wishing I was
Wishing I was
The singer is expressing their desire for the current moment to last forever, wishing that every day could be as perfect as this one. They hope that tomorrow, the person they care deeply for will still know their name and acknowledge their presence "Say it loud, say it loud." The singer then expresses their strongest wish, which is to be the only person next to the person they love, acting as their guide.
The singer then mentions how it took them a while to realize and understand their feelings, but now that they do, they know that love isn't something to feel lost or uncertain about. The singer warns the person they care about not to make the same mistakes they did of denying their own feelings and luck, and instead to embrace them fully.
Overall, this song is about the bittersweet nature of love and how powerful it can be. The singer expresses their deep desire to be with the person they love, but also acknowledges the challenges that come with love and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm wishing
Expressing a desire for something
Every other day would be the same
Wanting every day to be as wonderful as the current one
As this one now
The current day being full of happiness and joy
Praying
Asking for something in a heartfelt way
Tommorow you still may know my name
Hoping to be remembered and recognized in the future
Say it loud
Expressing the importance of making oneself known
Wishing I was the only one beside you
Desiring to be the special person next to you
Wishing I was
Continuing to express strong desire for something
Wishing I was the only one to guide you
Wishing to be the only one to be able to support you
It's funny
Expressing an ironic or humorous idea
It took me so long to get it right
Realizing it took a long time to figure things out
Even so, now we know
Despite the past, understanding the present clearly now
Lovers
Referencing the love between two people
Don't feel lost in the dead of night
Urging the lover to not lose their way in difficult times
Oh no, no, no
Expressing a warning or concern
No, no, no!
Further emphasizing the warning or concern
Don't deny your love
Advising not to reject the love felt for someone
The way that I did
Drawing from personal experience to provide advice
Don't defy your luck
Urging to not reject opportunities or chances
Wishing I was the only one, only one
Repeating the strong desire to be the one and only special person
Wishing I was the only one beside you
Repeating the strong desire to be next to you
Wishing I was the only one to guide you
Repeating the strong desire to be the only one to support you
Writer(s): Paul Anna Michiels, Jan Anna Leyers Copyright: Siren Music Bvba
Contributed by Joshua J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.