Eli Lucas (eli.) is a 23-year old singer, songwriter and multi-instrumental… Read Full Bio ↴Eli Lucas (eli.) is a 23-year old singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from West Virginia. He's distinctively known for his boundless approach to the conventional ideas of genre, often blending different sounds and styles into a single creative expression. Eli initially gained recognition in late 2017, with his bluntly melancholic single "i'm sad", garnering over 50 million+ streams to date. Weekly YouTube uploads, coupled with an avalanche of new music, allowed Eli to continue to grow artistically, experimenting with a variety of styles, everything from pop to metal to R&B. Equally as impressive, every aspect of the music is the sole product of his own creation - songwriting, recording, arrangements, instrumentation, mixing, even the cover art are all handled by Eli himself. His music is deeply personal and diverse, exploring a variety of topics. Some songs tackle themes of love, heartbreak and betrayal, while others are more introspective, exploring ideas like appreciation and the meaning of life, occasionally, with a blunt and slightly satirical tone. Equal parts philosophical and comedic, Eli rode the rise of social media, utilizing this emerging technology to bend traditional rules and forge his own brave path as an independent artist.

Wishful Thinking
eli. Lyrics

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hanging on
we know we ended long ago

if we wait it out
we'll find our love again, i know

i know we have some more to give
i know that we can get through this

she said patience
can't replace this
what we used to have

wishful thinking makes me think i'm a fool
wishful thinking makes me wish i still had you

maybe i'm wrong, maybe i'm wrong
maybe i'm wrong for loving you

going off strong, going off strong
going off strong

Overall Meaning

The song "Wishful Thinking" by eli. is a reflection on a past romantic relationship that has come to an end. The lyrics express the desire to hold on to something that has already ended, believing that with patience and time, they can rediscover the love they once felt. The first verse, "hanging on, we know we ended long ago, if we wait it out, we'll find our love again, I know," suggests a sense of denial about the current state of the relationship. The singer is holding on to the hope that their past love can be reignited, despite the fact that it's already over.

The second verse, "she said patience can't replace this, what we used to have," acknowledges that the other person in the relationship has moved on and that the singer's wishful thinking may not be enough to bring them back. The chorus, "wishful thinking makes me think I'm a fool, wishful thinking makes me wish I still had you," takes a more critical tone, acknowledging that the singer's refusal to let go of the relationship may be naive and misguided. The bridge, "maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm wrong for loving you, going off strong, going off strong, going off strong," suggests that the singer knows deep down that their love may not be reciprocated, but they're determined to hold on anyway.

Overall, the lyrics of "Wishful Thinking" express the complicated emotions that come with a relationship that has ended but is still being held onto. The desire to hold on to love can be overwhelming, even in the face of evidence that it can't be resurrected.

Line by Line Meaning

hanging on
Continuing to hold on to the relationship

we know we ended long ago
Acknowledging that the relationship is over

if we wait it out
Hoping that time will help bring back the love

we'll find our love again, i know
Believing that their love can be rekindled

i know we have some more to give
Feeling that there is still potential for the relationship

i know that we can get through this
Believing that they can overcome their struggles and problems

she said patience
Partner suggesting that patience is needed

can't replace this
Patience alone cannot fix the problems in the relationship

what we used to have
Referring to the past love and connection they shared

wishful thinking makes me think i'm a fool
Realizing that hoping for a reunion may be irrational

wishful thinking makes me wish i still had you
Feeling nostalgic and wanting to recapture what they once had