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Stevie Wonder — I Wish
Album: Songs in the Key of Life
Avg rating:
8.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3173









Released: 1976
Length: 4:11
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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Lookin' 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 e-ver have to go?
I wish those days could, come back once more
Why did those days e-ver have to go?
'Cause I love them so

Brother says he's tellin' 'bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Just don't tell, an' I'll give you anythin' 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, 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 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 e-ver have to go?
I wish those days could, come back once more
Why did those days e-ver have to go?
Comments (362)add comment
how can you go wrong with a killer horn section and a bass that's playing in five dimensions
Posted 4 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Insta-10!!!

If I was trapped on a desert island, and only allowed 1 musician... Stevie Wonder's catalog would see me through... There was something incredible happening when he was making this double album and it seems to take over my feet and hips and head and soul whenever it comes on.
Posted 6 months ago by amcostigan88    [ Reply ]
F U N K Y
Posted 9 months ago by eranzangvil    [ Reply ]
 eileenomurphy wrote:
I love that electronic bass line!!   


Real bass - Nathan Watts, who had only been playing for there years.
Posted 9 months ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
I love playing this on the bass!!
Posted 9 months ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
A Classic Album.
Posted 1 year ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
I was 20 when this hit the streets. Made me smile then as well as now.
Try not to bop in your seat. Go ahead. I dare you.
Posted 1 year ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:

I'm a naysayer. Once a big promoter, I got permanently burnt out on this album after it was overplayed everywhere in 1977.

I can see that @jagdriver.  Like the way I turn off any of the 5 Beatles songs, Led Zep's "Stairway," Skynyrd's "Free Bird," 12 T Petty, and most Dylan that are in heavy rotation, still.  I appreciate them when I listen, but overactive on the commercial radio playlist is a death knell, imo.   That being said, I hope you've gotten your grove back and can enjoy this one.        
Posted 1 year ago by nannimae    [ Reply ]
dancing bananna was made for this.



Posted 1 year ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
There is nothing about this song which isn't absolutely fantastic.
Posted 1 year ago by frisbeepilot    [ Reply ]
I love that electronic bass line!!   
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 islgirl66 wrote:
I never dance in my office chair, but here I am, bopping away to one of the all time great songs and artists! 

Oh - you definitely need to to chair dance more! It's good for you!
Posted 2 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
I never dance in my office chair, but here I am, bopping away to one of the all time great songs and artists! 
Posted 2 years ago by islgirl66    [ Reply ]
God, what a groove.  And Stevie created a few more just as good.
Posted 3 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
Never realized Wild wild west covered this song.
Posted 3 years ago by bforbedetti    [ Reply ]
This has really stood the test of time.
Posted 3 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
Superb album!  Great memories of blasting this in our rented A-Frame cabin in Tahoma, California.
Posted 3 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
If you're not bopping to this. You have no pulse.
Posted 4 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
What a tune. . .
Posted 5 years ago by lovelyhelicopter    [ Reply ]
Man, this guy made a lot of great music.
Posted 5 years ago by johnrah    [ Reply ]
 Canadese wrote:
I Wish........this could go on forever.
 

in a way it does.......still great song.......lop off last 2 minutes 
monotonous jam (or should've got Jeff Beck to sling some mo' "stink" on it)
Posted 5 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
Got me from the opening cords. Sublime groove just puts you right.
Posted 5 years ago by cob427uk1    [ Reply ]
I Wish........this could go on forever.
Posted 5 years ago by Canadese    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
imho, one of the great American works of music, r & b or otherwise, period. Virtually every song, on a double LP of tracks, is a thing of passion and, uhh, wonder.  40 years later, it holds up. 

 
True dat...
Posted 5 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
Stevie is the Funkmaster General.
Posted 5 years ago by nutrod42    [ Reply ]

Thank you  Stevie Wonder
 for  I Wish

to me 9- OUTSTANDING  TY RP


Posted 6 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
8 -> 9
Posted 6 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
 lauriet wrote:
Just saw him in concert this week performing Songs in the Key of Life. Amazing show. 45 plus people on stage. Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea joined him for a couple of numbers after their own show. So cool.

 
I was there!  Such an amazing concert.
Posted 7 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
The older I get, the more I appreciate Stevie. What a talent.
Posted 7 years ago by Ropes    [ Reply ]
In 1976 I was 18 and a DJ with a mobile rig doing all kinds of gigs. 

This came out and I probably played it at every gig I did for years and years.

Awesome then, awesome now, 40 years on. I'm looking forward to grooving to this in another 40. 
Posted 7 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
imho, one of the great American works of music, r & b or otherwise, period. Virtually every song, on a double LP of tracks, is a thing of passion and, uhh, wonder.  40 years later, it holds up. 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
i this Stevie's funky stuff way better than his later corny crap...this is an awesome groove
Posted 7 years ago by vanillagorilla    [ Reply ]
Godlike composer Damn!   : )
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 GuiltyFeat wrote:
If every song had a bassline and a brass section as pumping as this, no one would ever go to war and we would all live happily ever after on ice cream and salt and vinegar crisps.

 
Now you're talking, my friend.  Is anyone in the history of the world so funky as Stevie?
Posted 7 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
The Master Blaster
Posted 8 years ago by Sp3o    [ Reply ]
pretty much sums up my '70s Middle School years. 
Posted 8 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
the first time I heard this song, I jumped on my bike and rode as fast as I could down to Music Lovers to buy the album.  I've been listening to songs in the key of life over and over again, on vinyl, tape, cd, mp3, ever since.  I've never been without a copy close at hand.  Thank you, Stevie!😍
Posted 8 years ago by fortheloveofpete    [ Reply ]
If every song had a bassline and a brass section as pumping as this, no one would ever go to war and we would all live happily ever after on ice cream and salt and vinegar crisps.
Posted 8 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
 Skydog wrote:
good early Saturday nite cut, the nite's looking good

 
also makes an excellent Monday morning song
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
good early Saturday nite cut, the nite's looking good
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
listening to this song = immediate smile and good mood !!! I love it :)
Posted 8 years ago by ChrisVIII    [ Reply ]

this is one of the greatest songs of all time. off the rating scale


 lauriet wrote:
Just saw him in concert this week performing Songs in the Key of Life. Amazing show. 45 plus people on stage. Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea joined him for a couple of numbers after their own show. So cool.

 
major jealousy.


Posted 8 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
If you can't shake yer booty to this, you may need a doctor. 
Posted 8 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Did Bill just Play two Stevie wonder songs in a row or did I just sense a glitch in the matrix?
Posted 9 years ago by theralph    [ Reply ]
 SquiddlyDiddly wrote:
Came in to give this a 10. . . found I had already done so, so put it back to a 9 so I could have the satisfaction of making it a 10 again. 

And then danced to the rest of the tune.
 

 
{#Clap}
Posted 9 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
Just saw him in concert this week performing Songs in the Key of Life. Amazing show. 45 plus people on stage. Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea joined him for a couple of numbers after their own show. So cool.
Posted 9 years ago by lauriet    [ Reply ]
 ziakut wrote:
Gotta love the streamin' eighth note bass line....yeah!

 
Yeah, that's some kick-ass bass playing.  I think it's Nathan Watts playing on this album.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
I've known several people in my life who claim this as their absolute favourite album ever.
I think I only know like 3 or 4 tracks from the album — never owned it.
Another one I'll have to check out on Spotify ... and if I like it, I'll buy the CD ... Yes, I still buy CDs. 
Posted 9 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
 jagdriver wrote:
I'm a naysayer. Once a big promoter, I got permanently burnt out on this album after it was overplayed everywhere in 1977.

 
Psssst.... Its 38 years later now and it probably isn't all over the radio anymore - so time to get over your burn out and appreciate this work of genius when you are privleged to hear it from time to time.
Posted 9 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
I agree, my all time favorite album.  I have or had it on vinyl, cassette, cd and MP3!
Posted 9 years ago by fortheloveofpete    [ Reply ]
{#Bounce}Best ever album.  Still have the vinyl  Never gets old.  THANKS RP!!!
Posted 10 years ago by STLBubbles    [ Reply ]
I'm a naysayer. Once a big promoter, I got permanently burnt out on this album after it was overplayed everywhere in 1977.
Posted 10 years ago by jagdriver    [ Reply ]
{#Bananapiano}  Magnificent !

 
Posted 10 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
PHENOM
ENAL 


yes, yes he is 
Posted 10 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
Came in to give this a 10. . . found I had already done so, so put it back to a 9 so I could have the satisfaction of making it a 10 again. 

And then danced to the rest of the tune.
 
Posted 10 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
Looking into their empty Christmas stocking:

"Damn. Oh well. Let's just be happy with the joy the day will bring." 
Posted 10 years ago by expertTexpert    [ Reply ]
Classic Stevie. Legend. 
Posted 10 years ago by Chakams    [ Reply ]
Brilliant.  What a groove !

Why did those days e-ver have to go?



Posted 10 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 aaronm wrote:
I'M TRYING TO WORK, BILL, AND YOU'RE FORCING ME TO GROOVE

 
{#Cheesygrin}
Posted 10 years ago by MikeszCZ    [ Reply ]
phenomenal album throughout
Posted 10 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
Classic Stevie Wonder .. Thanks!
Posted 10 years ago by BuffaloGrunt    [ Reply ]
Hahaha :) Ever since I was 13? 14?, I get a big smile on my face when I hear this song.
Posted 10 years ago by 100AMProject    [ Reply ]
"You nasty boy!"
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam} {#Bananajam}  {#Bananajam}"O U T S T A N D I N G"  
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
Classic Stevie. Love it!! {#Bananajumprope}
Posted 10 years ago by musikluvr    [ Reply ]
DANCE you bastages!  {#Bananasplit}{#Whipit} 
Posted 10 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
I'M TRYING TO WORK, BILL, AND YOU'RE FORCING ME TO GROOVE
Posted 10 years ago by aaronm    [ Reply ]
Gotta love the streamin' eighth note bass line....yeah!
Posted 10 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
max volume. :-)
Posted 10 years ago by Wizzo_oz    [ Reply ]
If this can't be a classic, then what then?  {#Dancingbanana}{#Drummer}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananajam}
Posted 11 years ago by JBarDom    [ Reply ]
I'm sitting doing my work, with headphones on, and I don't even realize my head is bobbling back and forth...everytime when Stevie comes on. {#Bananajam}
Posted 11 years ago by SheRidesABeemer    [ Reply ]
 nightdrive wrote:
Awful, not really a fan of blind singers anyway.
 
What you posted here is more than awful...next time the urge comes to post something as horrendous as this...please refrain.
Posted 11 years ago by Highspirits    [ Reply ]
Awful, not really a fan of blind singers anyway.
Posted 11 years ago by nightdrive    [ Reply ]
I am jumping in my seat!  {#Dancingbanana}
What great riffs.
Posted 11 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]

As Eddie Murphy says, "Stevie Wonder is a musical genius!"


Posted 11 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
Horns so funky it ought to be illegal.
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
quite definitely the funkiest bassline in the history of sound
Posted 11 years ago by pwestlake    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my churches loves this song...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
This has to be one of the 100 top rock albums of all time.
Posted 11 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
 winni wrote:
Immer noch ein phantastischer Song!! Echt Knaller yeah :))
  Hey Winni, I think I agree with your opinion. Fantastic song.

Posted 11 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
The original King of Funk!
Posted 11 years ago by freddyfender    [ Reply ]
Some things do get better with age, my appreciation of this song being among those things.
Posted 11 years ago by dwlangham    [ Reply ]
{#Daisy}
Posted 12 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Immer noch ein phantastischer Song!! Echt Knaller yeah :))
Posted 12 years ago by winni    [ Reply ]
Stevie is a deity but I always felt this album was too polished and overrated.
Posted 12 years ago by avatar71    [ Reply ]
 shellbella wrote:
{#Angel} {#Bananapiano} {#Bananajumprope} {#Drummer} {#Nyah} {#Daisy} {#Cheers} {#Sunny} {#Dance} {#Clap} {#Dancingbanana}{#Bananasplit} {#Dancingbanana_2} {#Dancingbanana} {#Notworthy} {#Bananajam}
 
It looks like shellbella has it covered. 
Posted 12 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
{#Angel} {#Bananapiano} {#Bananajumprope} {#Drummer} {#Nyah} {#Daisy} {#Cheers} {#Sunny} {#Dance} {#Clap} {#Dancingbanana}{#Bananasplit} {#Dancingbanana_2} {#Dancingbanana} {#Notworthy} {#Bananajam}
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
{#Clap}
Posted 12 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Rated a 10 only because there's no 11.
Posted 12 years ago by ottovonb    [ Reply ]
Woop!!  {#Drummer}
Posted 12 years ago by jen3005545    [ Reply ]
Yes 10/10 bananas for Stevie.
 
Posted 12 years ago by Sandra_Jacobsen    [ Reply ]
 brookap wrote:
{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}

My new rating system: the Banana Split Scale

ten out of ten dancing bananas agree, Stevie's the MAN!
(they're almost synched to the beat. close enough to make me smile anyway.)
 
Love the banana scale. Go Stevie go 10 bananas from me.
Posted 12 years ago by Sandra_Jacobsen    [ Reply ]
{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananasplit}

My new rating system: the Banana Split Scale

ten out of ten dancing bananas agree, Stevie's the MAN!
(they're almost synched to the beat. close enough to make me smile anyway.)
Posted 12 years ago by brookap    [ Reply ]
The pinnacle of pinnacles.
Posted 12 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
 Sloggydog wrote:
And this is why I don't bemoan the odd song I find unpleasant on RP too much - cause its followed up by gold like this

 
Two great songs in a row.

Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
And this is why I don't bemoan the odd song I find unpleasant on RP too much - cause its followed up by gold like this

Posted 12 years ago by Sloggydog    [ Reply ]
 shellbella wrote:
This song makes me jump for joy!!
{#Dancingbanana}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}
 
ME TOO!
Posted 12 years ago by Snoopy2    [ Reply ]
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
 
YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!
Posted 12 years ago by Snoopy2    [ Reply ]
DADOO DADOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO
Posted 12 years ago by Snoopy2    [ Reply ]

Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
GO STEVIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 12 years ago by Snoopy2    [ Reply ]
Genius, Stevie. I wish a LOT of those days could come back once more. Just once.
Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
This song makes me jump for joy!!
{#Dancingbanana}{#Drummer}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
This makes me HAPPY!!!! {#Daisy}
Posted 12 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
I have to think it was 2 different people that did this song and those sappy duets with McCartney.
Posted 12 years ago by Bocephus    [ Reply ]
I can't believe he stole this song from Will Smith
Posted 12 years ago by NuggetNectar    [ Reply ]
Chair dancing!
Posted 13 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
I will never tire of hearing this song!
Posted 13 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
What a great year too! {#Dance}
Posted 13 years ago by Xstar    [ Reply ]
Super. Dooper. {#Notworthy}
Posted 13 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Stevie's lyrics and phrasing are amazing. This cut has gotten stale after a zillion listens but as it's off a superfine album I rate it high. I remember dancing all night long at college parties to some of the cuts. Can't get better memories than that and as it's an album so positive and upbeat I can't help but beam on hearing on it. 
Posted 13 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
 mike_chouinard wrote:
Awwwwww, yaaaaaaah.
 
Truly!!!

Posted 13 years ago by frank-peter    [ Reply ]
Awwwwww, yaaaaaaah.
Posted 13 years ago by mike_chouinard    [ Reply ]
Has anyone seen or heard anything about his tour?  The first one in a long time that I'm aware of.  I'd be interesting to see what the play list is.

He's one of the headliners one night at the Austin City Limits festival this fall.
Posted 13 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
I can't hear this song without thinking of Happy Feet.
Posted 13 years ago by BalesBub    [ Reply ]
"You nasty boy!"  I wish those days could come back once more.
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:

Stevie Wonder rocks, and I love horns as a rule. This is right up there with his very best. Wow.

 
Close listening is its own reward. The horn arrangement on this is amazing—and too funky by half. Whoooo!

Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 hschlossberg wrote:
This was a good — no — a great song the first 100 or two times I heard it.  Now it is just stale.  But I'll bet there are a half-dozen other songs on this album that we're not all so sick and tired of and that are just as worthy.
 
Sometimes.... Maybe.... Nah!

Good music is always welcome to my ears and hearing this on a sunny Friday morning right before the holiday weekend makes this just about perfect.

Posted 13 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
This was a good — no — a great song the first 100 or two times I heard it.  Now it is just stale.  But I'll bet there are a half-dozen other songs on this album that we're not all so sick and tired of and that are just as worthy.
Posted 13 years ago by hschlossberg    [ Reply ]
You nasty boy!
 
Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]