The single was a success reaching #6 in the UK in June 1987, spending 17 weeks in the Top 100. It was also a minor hit in the USA, reaching the lower end of the Billboard charts at #58.
The lyrics reflected the despair felt by the unemployed in the midst of the political climate of Thatcher's Britain.
The Wets did indeed become lucky after the success of their debut single, with the album "Popped In Souled Out" eventually reaching #1 on the UK album chart in early 1988. Further success would follow with a string of hit singles and albums.
Wishing I Was Lucky
Wet Wet Wet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was living in a world of make believe
When my best friend wrote and told me
That there may be a job in the city
I was living in a world of make believe
When my best friend wrote and told me
That there may be a job in the city
And you never told me
He would dream about another scheme
About another sordid hall of dreams
About a man who's king of industry
He would swear by his mouth almighty
He would buy the best
But never something new
And he never told me
I like kicking in the gutter and
Wishing I was lucky
Wishing I was lucky, wishing I was lucky
Oh, I like kicking in the gutter
Wishing I was lucky, wishing I was lucky
It's the only life I know
Lie, lie , lie is all you ever do
To make me want to push on through
Cry, cry, cry is all I ever do
Say you want to make me push on through
I like kicking in the gutter and
Wishing I was lucky
Wishing I was lucky, wishing I was lucky
Oh, I like kicking in the gutter
Wishing I was lucky, I was wishing I was lucky
Kicking in the gutter
Wishing I was lucky, wishing I was lucky
It's the only life I know
My best friend wrote and told me so
He said, that there may be a job in the city, yeah, yeah yeah, oh baby
I like kicking in the gutter and wishing I was lucky
Wishing I was lucky, wishing I was lucky
I like kicking in the gutter, wishing I was lucky
I was wishing I was lucky,
Kicking in the gutter
Wishing I was lucky, wishing I was lucky
Hey son go, hey son go, to the city [Repeat: x4]
The lyrics of the song "Wishing I Was Lucky" by Wet Wet Wet has a deep meaning that can be interpreted in different ways. The song talks about a person who is living in a world of make-believe and receiving a letter from a friend about a job opportunity in the city. The singer of the song is dreaming of a better life and wants to leave their current situation. However, there is a friend who is always lying and never telling the truth, making it hard for the singer to push through their struggles.
The imagery in the song is quite strong, with kicking in the gutter symbolizing that the singer feels like they are in the lowest point of their life. They are hoping that by leaving their current situation and starting a new job, things will improve for them. The man who dreams about becoming an industry king is a representation of the American dream where people want to achieve success and wealth through hard work. However, that dream is often difficult to attain.
The song also touches upon the themes of hope, perseverance, and the struggles of daily life. The singer is dreaming of a better life and wants to leave their current situation behind, but they are held back by people who are not truthful.
Line by Line Meaning
He would swear by his mouth almighty
He would make bold promises, speaking with great conviction
I was living in a world of make believe
I was living in a fantasy, disconnected from reality
When my best friend wrote and told me
When my closest friend corresponded and informed me
That there may be a job in the city
That there might be a vacancy in the metropolis
And you never told me
And you never disclosed it to me
He would dream about another scheme
He would fantasize about another plot
About another sordid hall of dreams
About another corrupt place of dreams
About a man who's king of industry
About a man who reigns supreme in business
He would buy the best
He would purchase the finest
But never something new
But never anything innovative
I like kicking in the gutter and Wishing I was lucky
I enjoy being in unfortunate situations and hoping for good luck
Oh, I like kicking in the gutter
Oh, I enjoy being in a place of deprivation
It's the only life I know
It's the only existence I'm familiar with
Lie, lie, lie is all you ever do
Dishonesty is all you ever exhibit
To make me want to push on through
To make me want to strive harder
Cry, cry, cry is all I ever do
Wail, wail, wail is all I ever do
Say you want to make me push on through
Say that you want to motivate me to work harder
My best friend wrote and told me so
My closest friend communicated this to me
Hey son go, hey son go, to the city
Hey son, go to the metropolis
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: GRAEME CLARK, MARTI PELLOW, NEIL MITCHELL, TOMMY CUNNINGHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@druwydown9302
This, OMG! And,
The original video!
Much thanks to who/whomever uploaded this!!!!!!!!!!!
Cuz., back in 1988, when this album had came out, I bought it, even though, I still have to confess to me myself, their song, plus video, "Angel Eyes," is the ultimate gem...
Cool, Scottish, English, Irish, or whatever, classic, smooth, always soulful sounding, group...
Even now...
@manikandangunaseelan5624
One of my friends was a big Marti Pellow fan till he passed away
RIP Benny Harvey - Gone but not forgotten
@slayed8951
benny harvey rip 🕊️
@gjdash
I’d go back to the 80s in a heartbeat. This tune reminds me of a lot of happy times.
@llanwillvanaswegen492
Ditto.uncomplicated.you could be who you are without prescription and pressure of "social media" and the music told you something and made you feel something.
@stephenmcgiff8877
The 80's awww, best decade for me,
@popeye7833
Yes no worries in this Times 90
@colleensmith723
57 years old and going to sign a contract at a company in a new country...wishing I eas lucky and now I am!!!❤ love to everyone reading this!! Good vibes
@BruceLee-zd9bw
I'm building a time machine, il get the cassettes to listen to along the way back to the 80's. 👍😎
@venum6240
"I Was Lucky" to have spent my adolescence listening to this music!
@susanrowley8375
me too