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
But thought I told you not to go outside
Tryin' your best to bring the
Water to your eyes
Thinkin' it might stop her
From woopin' 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 tellin'
'Bout you playin' 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
Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy)
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the wall
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
But while you were doin'it-it sure felt outta 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, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
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. Another cover of the song 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.
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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Zoe P.
[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, ooh
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 says he's telling
About 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 isn'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?
Theresa Champagne
This Christmas is looking quite sparse for us, but I told my children that I will not hear any complaints, or self pity.
Then I quoted, "even though we sometimes wouldn't get a thing, we were always happy with the joy the day would bring..."
And that is how it is going to be this Christmas, like it or not.
So glad to have grown up with the best music!
Thank you, Stevie!
Dwight K Schrute Beet Farmer
The bassline was enough to have to me hooked, but those lyrics man.
Dwight K Schrute Beet Farmer
@DomesticOnion well, I do listen to Motley Crue to get into the zone
DomesticOnion
you struck me as more of a motly crue kinda guy
Vincent Jones
DWIGHT
Mountain Rigi
Prince once said, "This is the greatest album ever created"
Treebard
He was correct
Glenn Buschkuhl
Between this and Slayer’s Reigning Blood , Prince was right.
Remember going to Crazy Eddie’s in the south Bronx to buy this album with my Dad.
It was his purchase.
Lerf8
Duh that is just common sense that this the best artist and album of all time
Michael Wilks
@1000 mg. Why is that a racist statement 1000, if you consider that to be a racist statement maybe it's because you are a racialist. I'm not sure if it was Chuck Berry or little Richard that deserves that distinction but it damn sure wasn't Elvis Presley. And I think that Elvis, and Jerry Lee Lewis and any of the rest of them that lay claim to this title would concur with my opinion. Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis and that blue suede shoes guy I can't remember his name. Any of them would tell you that they "cut" their teeth and formulated their style by watching African American artist like the ones I formerly mentioned. But what difference does it make where who or what, music is universal and wonderful, especially back then. I like Elvis, Jerry Lee, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Whispers, the Manhattans The Stylistics and a cavalcade of others. In varying ways, music is like beauty only instead of the eyes of the beholder, it's in the ears of the listener.
reallythankful 2
@Barba Negra
MJ was entitled to his opinion too. Everyone is.