I Wish
Tuck And Patti 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
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tuck & Patti's song "I Wish" reminisce about happier days in the past. The singer, now an adult, looks back at their childhood when their only worry was what Christmas toy they would receive. Even though they were sometimes unable to get something, they were still happy because of the joy the day brought. The singer remembers sneaking out with their "hoodlum friends" and being scolded by their mother for doing so. They also recall being sent to the principal's office for writing something inappropriate on the wall and playing doctor with a girl, both of which they now understand were wrong. Despite this, the singer longs for the days of childhood innocence and happiness, wishing they could come back once more.

The song is a testament to the power of childhood memories and the longing for simpler, happier times. There is a sense of nostalgia and yearning in the lyrics that is relatable to anyone who has grown up and left their childhood behind. It also speaks to the idea that even though we may have had difficult or challenging times in our youth, there was still joy to be found in those moments.

Line by Line Meaning

Looking back on when I
Remembering a time in the past

Was a little nappy headed boy
When I was a young boy with unruly hair

Then my only worry
At that time, my only concern

Was for Christmas what would be my toy
What gift I would receive on Christmas was all I thought about

Even though we sometimes
Despite the fact that occasionally

Would not get a thing
We didn't receive any gifts

We were happy with the
We found joy and happiness in the

Joy the day would bring
Happiness of the holiday season

Sneaking out the back door
Leaving secretly through the back exit

To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
To spend time with mischievous acquaintances

Greeted at the back door
Was met at the back entrance

With boy thought I told you not to go outside
Reprimanded for disregarding previous instruction not to leave the house

Tryin' your best to bring the
Attempting to hold back the

Water to your eyes
Tears from flowing

Thinkin' it might stop her
Believing it may prevent her from

From woopin' your behind
Punishing by spanking

I wish those days could come back once more
Nostalgic desire for the past

Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why those good times ended

Cause I love them so
Because I cherished and adored those moments

Brother says he's tellin'
Brother stating he will reveal

'Bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Discussing you pretending to be a doctor with a girl

Just don't tell I'll give you
Don't share the secret and I'll give you

Anything you want in this whole wide world
Anything desired will be granted

Mama gives you money for Sunday school
Mother provides you money for Bible study

You trade yours for candy after church is through
Bartering for sweets after the church session ends

Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy)
Smoking tobacco and leaving crude comments on the wall

Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the wall
Teacher sending you to the principal's office located nearby

You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
Realizing that kind of behavior is unacceptable

But while you were doin'it-it sure felt outta sight
Despite the behavior being irresponsible, it was still enjoyable at the time

I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing the wish to experience those moments again

Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why those carefree times ended

I wish those days could come back once more
Nostalgic yearning to relive those happy times

Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why those blissful times ended

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

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS