I Wish
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Looking back on when I
Was a little nappy headed boy
Then my only worry
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes
Would not get a thing
We were happy with the
Joy the day would bring
Sneaking out the back door
To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
With, "Boy thought I told you not to go outside"
Trying your best to bring the water to your eyes
Thinking it might stop her from whooping your behind
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
'Cause I love them so
Brother says he's telling
About you playing doctor with that girl
Just don't tell I'll give you
Anything you want in this whole wide world
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
You trade yours for candy after church is through
Smoking cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy)
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall
You grow up and learn that kind of thing isn't right
But while you were doing it-it sure felt out to sight
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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"I Wish" (1976) is a hit funk song by Stevie Wonder. It was released as a single and included on the album Songs in the Key of Life. Written and produced by Wonder, the song focuses on his childhood. The single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the United World Chart.
In 1999, Will Smith recorded "Wild Wild West", a hip-hop song that sampled the instrumental track from "I Wish". Wonder also appeared in the music video of the song, which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 film, Wild Wild West. Read Full Bio"I Wish" (1976) is a hit funk song by Stevie Wonder. It was released as a single and included on the album Songs in the Key of Life. Written and produced by Wonder, the song focuses on his childhood. The single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the United World Chart.
In 1999, Will Smith recorded "Wild Wild West", a hip-hop song that sampled the instrumental track from "I Wish". Wonder also appeared in the music video of the song, which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 film, Wild Wild West.
Another cover of the song was done by Randy Coven, Al Pitrelli and John O'Reilly for their 1992 album C.P.R., with a young Zakk Wylde on vocals. Céline Dion also performs this song in her Las Vegas show "A New Day...".
The song is covered by Patti LaBelle, Fantasia and Yolanda Adams on the soundtrack to the Warner Bros. animated movie Happy Feet released on October 31, 2006, although a small piece of the original song can be heard during a brief dance sequence. It has also been covered by Donny Osmond on a DVD of a concert he performed in London, as well as by Widespread Panic on its 2004 live release Night of Joy. The song was also covered by Melanie C in 2003 at her Shepherd's Bush performance and included as a B-side on her single "Yeh Yeh Yeh".
Fingerstyle jazz guitarist Tuck Andress has also recorded a solo guitar arrangement.
In 1999, Will Smith recorded "Wild Wild West", a hip-hop song that sampled the instrumental track from "I Wish". Wonder also appeared in the music video of the song, which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 film, Wild Wild West. Read Full Bio"I Wish" (1976) is a hit funk song by Stevie Wonder. It was released as a single and included on the album Songs in the Key of Life. Written and produced by Wonder, the song focuses on his childhood. The single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the United World Chart.
In 1999, Will Smith recorded "Wild Wild West", a hip-hop song that sampled the instrumental track from "I Wish". Wonder also appeared in the music video of the song, which was featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 film, Wild Wild West.
Another cover of the song was done by Randy Coven, Al Pitrelli and John O'Reilly for their 1992 album C.P.R., with a young Zakk Wylde on vocals. Céline Dion also performs this song in her Las Vegas show "A New Day...".
The song is covered by Patti LaBelle, Fantasia and Yolanda Adams on the soundtrack to the Warner Bros. animated movie Happy Feet released on October 31, 2006, although a small piece of the original song can be heard during a brief dance sequence. It has also been covered by Donny Osmond on a DVD of a concert he performed in London, as well as by Widespread Panic on its 2004 live release Night of Joy. The song was also covered by Melanie C in 2003 at her Shepherd's Bush performance and included as a B-side on her single "Yeh Yeh Yeh".
Fingerstyle jazz guitarist Tuck Andress has also recorded a solo guitar arrangement.
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Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Looking back on when I was a little nappy-headed boy
Then my only worry was for Christmas, what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing
We were happy with the joy the day would bring
Sneaking out the back door to hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine, huh
Greeted at the back door with, "Boy, thought I told you not to go outside"
Trying your best to bring the water to your eyes
Thinking it might stop her from whooping your behind
[Chorus]
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
Cause I love them so
[Verse 2]
Brother said he's telling 'bout you playing doctor with that girl
Just don't tell and I'll give you anything you want in this whole wide world
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
You trade yours for candy after church is through
Smoking cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (You nasty boy)
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall
You grow up and learn that kind of thing ain't right
But while you were doing it, it sure felt outta sight
[Chorus]
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
Dave Bowman
This song does not age. It's the sign of a genius.
Bioniking
The entire album is genius!
Giada Tommasi
Like all songs by Stevie ;-)
Leslie Beckwith
right
Denise Whisler
Amen!
Diego De Luca
@MolotovBurner100 shut up
The REAL Austin Hendrix
The bassline was enough to have to me hooked, but those lyrics man.
Tony Montgomery
You know music sir
FlavioCalichman SP-Brasil
oh man, between this one and Sir Duke the competition is very hard
Not Fabio
@aristhera it’s not just about the exact circumstances. Just that feeling of being a kid again and having no worries except for toys on Christmas. Being a kid and hanging out with friends, getting into mischief knowing the consequences.
It’s all about childhood memories and innocence, when all you cared about was having fun. Not having to worry about all the stuff that comes with being an adult. He’s not being ironic, of course he wants to relive those days. A lot of those memories you look back and reminisce/laugh at because you didn’t know any better and things were much more simple