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.
I Wish
Stevie Wonder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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?
The lyrics to Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" reflect both nostalgia for a simpler time in the singer's life, as well as a recognition that some of the behaviors he engaged in during that time were not always the best. In the first verse, he reflects on his childhood, where his biggest worry was what toy he might receive for Christmas. While he acknowledges that his family sometimes struggled financially ("even though we sometimes would not get a thing"), he emphasizes that they were still able to find joy in the holidays. However, he also describes sneaking out of the house to hang out with "hoodlum friends," only to be caught by his father, who warned him not to go outside. He tries to cry to avoid punishment, but it's clear that he knew he was doing something he shouldn't have been.
In the second verse, Wonder introduces a storyline in which he trades candy for his mother's Sunday school money and writes something inappropriate on the wall at school. He even references playing "doctor" with a girl, a potentially sexualized behavior that he recognizes may not have been acceptable. Despite this, he expresses a desire to return to those carefree days, wondering why they couldn't come back again.
Overall, the song suggests a complex mix of emotions - fondness for the simple joys of childhood, as well as recognition that some of the behaviors he engaged in were perhaps misguided. It's a relatable message, as many people have likely looked back on their own youthful indiscretions with a mix of nostalgia and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back on when I
Reflecting on my childhood and past experiences
Was a little nappy headed boy
When I was a young child with curly/kinky hair
Then my only worry
At that time, my only concern was
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
What present I would receive on Christmas day
Even though we sometimes
Despite the fact that at times
Would not get a thing
We did not receive any gifts
We were happy with the
We still found joy in
Joy the day would bring
The happiness that the holiday brought
Sneaking out the back door
When I would leave through the rear of the house
To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
To spend time with my mischievous/bad influence friends
Greeted at the back door
Met with disapproval upon my return
With, "Boy thought I told you not to go outside"
Reprimanded with a reminder of what I had been told
Trying your best to bring the water to your eyes
Attempting to cry to avoid punishment
Thinking it might stop her from whooping your behind
Believing that tears could prevent getting spanked
I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire to relive the past
Why did those days ever have to go?
Questioning why the times changed and could not stay the same
Cause I love them so
Because those moments hold a special place in my heart
Brother says he's telling
My brother is saying
About you playing doctor with that girl
That you were playing a game of "doctor" with a girl
Just don't tell I'll give you
Asking for discretion and offering a bribe
Anything you want in this whole wide world
Any desire can be fulfilled for keeping the secret
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
My mother provides funds for me to attend religious education
You trade yours for candy after church is through
I exchange the money for sweets after the class concludes
Smoking cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy)
Engaging in misbehavior such as smoking and defacing property
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall
I am reprimanded and sent to the principal's office
You grow up and learn that kind of thing isn't right
I mature and realize that such actions are inappropriate
But while you were doing it-it sure felt out to sight
Despite this, at the time it felt exciting and fun
I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire to relive the past
Why did those days ever have to go?
Questioning why the times changed and could not stay the same
I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire to relive the past
Why did those days ever have to go?
Questioning why the times changed and could not stay the same
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlo Duncan
That opening bass riff is untouchable.
Andre Calhoun
Carlo Duncan Stevie was inspired to write that bassline after hearing EWF's shinning star. If you go back and listen they are very similar. Greatness inspiring more greatness
May K
But Will Smith did it... Wild Wide West
Renfield
It's what inspired Bjorn and Benny of ABBA to write The Name Of The Game.
Regina Springfield
SPOT ON!!!!
Peter Kroll
@Renfield They took a lot of inspiration from others, from anywhere.
Not that this is bad, it's also a skill to know what is worthwhile.
christopher theiss
This is one of those songs even if you're alone in an empty house you're still gonna dance your ass off.
Tony Montgomery
So right Christopher!!!
Virna Lisi Arije
Bless UPS!
Even if Your Sitt'n 'N' a Chair!;)PEACE
Norm Appleton
Especially when you get to to the do da dooh da doo do doo