I Wish
Tuck Patti Lyrics
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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
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
The lyrics to Tuck and Patti's song, "I Wish," are reflective of the nostalgia and fondness for childhood, with the singer reminiscing about the memories of being a little child during Christmas and hanging out with his hoodlum friends. The first two lines introduce the nostalgia, helping us understand that the singer is looking back on the past, wishing for a return to simpler times. The lines "then my only worry/Was for Christmas, what would be my toy" indicate that the singer's childhood was innocent and carefree and that his main concern was only that of a child.
The vocalist acknowledges that even when things were tough, they were content with the joy that the day would bring. The lyrics also indicate that even though the parents were strict and disciplined the child, the child did things anyway, such as "sneaking out the back door/ to hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine." When the child gets caught and punished by his mother, he thinks of crying but knows deep down that it will not change anything, as "it might stop her from woopin' your behind."
There's a contrast between the joyful memories of the past and the lessons learned in adulthood. The lines "you grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right/but while you were doing it - it sure felt outta sight" explicate that the singer has realized that the behavior that they indulged in as a child was not appropriate, but at the time, it felt amazing. The song's chorus acts as a nostalgic lament, expressing the desire to return to the past when things were simpler and more innocent.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back on when I
Reflecting on a time in the past
Was a little nappy headed boy
When I was a young child with unruly hair
Then my only worry
At that time, my sole concern
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Was what present I would receive on Christmas day
Even though we sometimes
Despite the fact that on occasion
Would not get a thing
We wouldn't receive any gifts
We were happy with the
We found joy in the
Joy the day would bring
Positive feelings the holiday would bring
Sneaking out the back door
Quietly leaving through the rear entrance
To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
To spend time with my delinquent acquaintances
Greeted at the back door
Upon returning, being met at the same door I left from
With boy thought I told you not to go outside
Being scolded for breaking a rule I was given earlier
Tryin' your best to bring the
Attempting to produce the
Water to your eyes
Tears to my eyes
Thinkin' it might stop her
Hoping it would prevent my punishment
From woopin' your behind
Getting spanked by my parent/guardian
I wish those days could come back once more
I desire a return to that time in my life
Why did those days ever have to go
Why did that period of my life have to end
Cause I love them so
Because those memories hold special meaning to me
Brother says he's tellin'
My sibling claims to be informing on me
'Bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Regarding your inappropriate behavior with a female
Just don't tell I'll give you
Keep it a secret, and I'll give you
Anything you want in this whole wide world
Anything you desire or request, within reason
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
My mother provides funds for my religious education
You trade yours for candy after church is through
You exchange the money for confectionary treats once the service ends
Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy)
Engaging in the harmful habit of smoking and vandalizing a surface with inappropriate language
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the wall
The educator sends you to the principal's quarters at the end of the hall
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
As you mature, you recognize that such behavior is improper
But while you were doin'it-it sure felt outta sight
At the time, indulging in such activities brought a sense of excitement or euphoria
I wish those days could come back once more
I desire a return to that time in my life
Why did those days ever have to go
Why did that period of my life have to end
Cause I love them so
Because those memories hold special meaning to me
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