Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, his interest in music formed when he began playing drums at the age of 10. He says that he came home one day and his mom told him that she had signed him up for drum lessons. He states that those lessons are the main reasons he is where he is in music today. By the age of 14 he was playing in bands, playing drums while getting more familiar with other instruments, and by the age of 16 he was touring in them. He later found a different outlet for his creativity through writing lyrics and music in an acoustic duo, which eventually led to the formation of The Ready Set. He was a member of a ska band, "Take Sides", an acoustic band, "brideandgroom" and a hardcore band, "Saints Never Surrender" before creating The Ready Set in the fall of 2007.
During the summer of ‘07, Jordan wrote a few songs and kept them to himself, as his main focus was the acoustic duo he was a part of. When the other member left to pursue a different career, Jordan decided to take the songs he had started, finish them up, and put together a Myspace page just for fun. In January of 2008, he released his first EP “Syntax and Bright Lights”, which was completely written and recorded in his basement. He soon after began writing for his second release, a full-length titled “Tantrum Castle”, also recorded in his basement.
Shortly after his high school graduation, he began touring in other bands, which made it clear to him where his heart was: The Ready Set. In July of 2008 he released “Tantrum Castle” and began touring full-time as The Ready Set. His live performances have evolved greatly since his early days, changing from a two-man show with keys, vocals, and a computer, to a complete full-band show with bass, drums, and lights. Witzigreuter says that his first performance for The Ready Set was at a coffee shop (The Mocha Lounge) where he worked in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Since then, The Ready Set has toured with numerous bands, including a supporting slot on a full US tour with Boys Like Girls, both The Bamboozle and Bamboozle Left, the Bamboozle Roadshow, the MTV VMA Tour, as well as many smaller tours.
The Ready Set has also made performances on MTV on multiple occasions, including an appearance on MTV's TJ Search Live Finale and being the "One to Watch" on MTV's 10 on Top. Witzigreuter has also been featured twice on MTV's Buzzworthy: once on December 11, 2009 as an up and coming artist, and again the following year on September 7, 2010, complete with an interview video and a live performance video.
Throughout multiple self-booked tours, The Ready Set has continued to prove itself as a show worth seeing as well as hearing with it’s abundant energy and emphasis on showmanship. In November 2009, Witzigreuter signed with Decaydance Records and Sire Records, both subsidiary labels of Warner Bros. Records. He released his first full–length studio album, I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming, on June 15, 2010.
The lead single, "Love Like Woe" has reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100, #15 on the Billboard pop chart, and #15 on the Mediabase Top 40 Radio chart.
Wishlist
The Ready Set Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tying ribbons up in your hair
Wishing that I could be there
Stay awake, stay aware
Cause I'll try
To stay awake throughout the night
And I will chase the sun in flight
Ooh, winter came, I was gone
Flight departures, times we've lost
Saw you standing in the snow
Such a vibrant glow
Oh, did you ever think I'd come home
I couldn't spend this night alone
Cause you're number one on my wish list, baby
Oh, in a little bit I'll be there
Like a star shot through the air
To make a checkmark on my wish list, baby
Airplane
Could you take me far away
To the snow enveloped plains
Cause she's there, cause she's there
I fly
In a coast to coast charade
But if only for one day
I'll be there, I'll be there
Ooh, winter came, I was gone
Flight departures, times we've lost
Saw you standing in the snow
Such a vibrant glow
Oh, did you ever think I'd come home
I couldn't spend this night alone
Cause you're number one on my wish list, baby
Oh, in a little bit I'll be there
Like a star shot through the air
To make a checkmark on my wish list, baby
Ooh, I promise I'll be there
Cause you're the number one on my wish list, baby
Ooh, I promise I'll be there
Cause you're the number one on my wish list, baby
I've got time, twenty four hours
Waiting for the go ahead from the tower
If I had just one wish
Get me home for Christmas
I've got time, twenty four hours
Waiting for the go ahead from the tower
If I had just one wish
Get me home for Christmas
Oh, did you ever think I'd come home
I couldn't spend this night alone
Cause you're number one on my wish list, baby
Oh, in a little bit I'll be there
Like a star shot through the air
To make a checkmark on my wish list, baby
Ooh, I promise I'll be there
Cause you're the number one on my wish list, baby
Ooh, I promise I'll be there
Cause you're the number one on my wish list, baby
Oh, did you ever think I'd come home
I couldn't spend this night alone
Cause you're number one on my wish list, baby
Oh, in a little bit I'll be there
Like a star shot through the air
To make a checkmark on my wish list, baby
The Ready Set's "Wishlist" is a song about a person who is away from their loved one during the holidays. The snowbird referred to in the first line is a nickname for the person they are missing, who ties ribbons in their hair. The singer wishes they could be there with them during this special time, but they will stay awake and aware until they are reunited. The chorus emphasizes their desire to be with this person, with lyrics like "Cause you're number one on my wish list, baby" and "Like a star shot through the air to make a checkmark on my wish list, baby." They describe being far away and wanting to be taken to the snow enveloped plains where their love is waiting for them. The final lyrics express the singer's hope to make it home for Christmas, as they only have 24 hours and one wish.
Overall, "Wishlist" captures the bittersweet longing of being separated from loved ones during a special occasion. The lyrics are filled with longing and desire, while the upbeat music keeps the song from feeling too heavy. It's a relatable track for anyone who has ever been away from someone they love during the holidays, and it serves as a reminder to cherish the time spent together.
Line by Line Meaning
Snowbird
Winter has come, and I am far away from my loved one who is tying ribbons in their hair, and I am wishing I could be there with them.
Wishing that I could be there
I long to be with my loved one, and I wish I could be there with them in the winter snow.
Stay awake, stay aware
I must stay awake and aware, as I will do everything I can to be with my loved one.
Cause I'll try
I promise to try my best to stay awake and aware throughout the night.
To stay awake throughout the night
I will do everything I can to stay awake all night, so I can be with my loved one.
And I will chase the sun in flight
I will not rest until I am with my loved one, and I will chase the sun as I travel to be with them.
Till I'm there, I'll be there
No matter what it takes, I will be there with my loved one in the winter snow.
Ooh, winter came, I was gone
Winter has arrived, and I am far away from my loved one.
Flight departures, times we've lost
I have missed flights and lost time trying to be with my loved one.
Saw you standing in the snow
I have seen my loved one standing in the winter snow, looking beautiful and vibrant.
Such a vibrant glow
My loved one has a radiant and beautiful aura.
Oh, did you ever think I'd come home
I am determined to come back to my loved one, and I wonder if they ever thought I would make it back to them.
I couldn't spend this night alone
I cannot bear the thought of spending one more night alone without my loved one.
Cause you're number one on my wish list, baby
My greatest wish is to be with my loved one, and they are the most important thing to me.
Oh, in a little bit I'll be there
I will be with my loved one very soon, and I can't wait.
Like a star shot through the air
I will travel quickly to be with my loved one, like a shooting star in the night sky.
To make a checkmark on my wish list, baby
Being with my loved one will fulfill my greatest wish, and I can finally check it off my wish list.
Airplane
I am getting on a plane to travel to my loved one and be with them in the winter snow.
Could you take me far away
I am asking the airplane to take me far away to my loved one, who is waiting for me in the winter snow.
To the snow enveloped plains
I am flying to the snow-covered plains where my loved one is waiting for me.
Cause she's there, cause she's there
My loved one is waiting for me in the winter snow, and I am determined to be with them.
I fly
I am flying to be with my loved one, no matter what it takes.
In a coast to coast charade
I am traveling across the country to be with my loved one.
But if only for one day
Even if I can only be with my loved one for one day, I will make the most of it.
Ooh, I promise I'll be there
I promise to be with my loved one no matter what, and nothing will stop me from being with them.
Cause you're the number one on my wish list, baby
My loved one is everything to me, and being with them is my number one wish.
I've got time, twenty four hours
I have a limited amount of time to be with my loved one, so I am making the most of every hour.
Waiting for the go ahead from the tower
I am waiting for permission from the airport tower to take off and be on my way to my loved one.
If I had just one wish
If I could have one wish, it would be to be with my loved one in the winter snow.
Get me home for Christmas
All I want for Christmas is to be with my loved one, and I will do everything I can to make it happen.
Contributed by Peyton R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.