Travis Biggs was a keyboardist who worked with Isaac Hayes during the late … Read Full Bio ↴Travis Biggs was a keyboardist who worked with Isaac Hayes during the late '70s, a period that found Hayes flirting with disco. Biggs also released two spacy, synth-driven LPs of his own during that era: 1976's Challenge, on TB&C, and 1979's Solar Funk, on MCA subsidiary Source. He is best remembered for the much-sampled cut "Tibetan Serenity."

I Wish
Travis Biggs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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
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

Overall Meaning

In Travis Biggs's song, "I Wish", he reminisces about his childhood and how simple life was back then. He looks back fondly at the days when his only worry was what he would get for Christmas and how despite not always getting what he wanted, he and his family were still happy with the joy of the day. He also remembers the rebellious phase he went through with his hoodlum friends, sneaking out of the back door and getting into trouble with his mother. He even remembers trading his Sunday school money for candy and getting into trouble with his teacher for writing something nasty on the wall. Despite all of these mistakes, he wishes for those days to come back because he loved them so much.

This song is an ode to the innocence and simplicity of childhood. It highlights how we tend to look back at our childhood through rose-tinted glasses, forgetting about the difficulties and hardships we faced at that time. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a time when life was uncomplicated, carefree, and happy. The song reminds us that no matter how tough our current situation may be, we can always take solace in our memories of the past and cherish the moments we spent with our loved ones.

Line by Line Meaning

Looking back on when I
Reflecting on a past time

Was a little nappy headed boy
Was a young child with unkempt hair

Then my only worry
At that time, my sole concern was

Was for Christmas what would be my toy
What gift I would receive for Christmas

Even though we sometimes
Despite the occasions when we

Would not get a thing
Received no gifts at all

We were happy with the
We were content with the

Joy the day would bring
Happiness brought by the holiday itself

Sneaking out the back door
Quietly leaving through the rear exit

To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
Mixing with rebellious acquaintances

Greeted at the back door
Confronted upon return

With "Boy thought I told you not to go outside"
Reprimanded for disobeying previous instruction

Trying your best to bring the water to your eyes
Attempting to cry

Thinking it might stop her from whooping your behind
Hoping it would prevent a physical punishment

Brother says he's telling
Brother claims to report

About you playing doctor with that girl
Regarding a youthful exploration of sexual curiosity

Just don't tell I'll give you
Don't reveal the secret and I'll reward you with

Anything you want in this whole wide world
Any desire can be fulfilled

Mama gives you money for Sunday school
Mother provides funding for church education

You trade yours for candy after church is through
Exchanging the money for sweets

Smoking cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall ("You nasty boy.")
Engaging in forbidden activities such as smoking and illicitly writing on surfaces

Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall
Being disciplined for bad behavior by an authority figure

You grow up and learn that kind of thing isn't right
Later in life, realizing such behavior is inappropriate

But while you were doing it-it sure felt out to sight
At the time, the actions seemed thrilling and exciting

I wish those days could come back once more
Desiring to re-experience the positive elements of the past

Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why the enjoyable past had to end

Cause I love them so
Because those days were cherished

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stevie Wonder

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS