I Wish (Skee-Lo song)
| "I Wish" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Skee-Lo | ||||
| from the album I Wish | ||||
| Released | March 27, 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1994 | |||
| Studio | Sunshine Studios (Hollywood, CA) | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 4:10 | |||
| Label | Scotti Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Antoine Roundtree | |||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Skee-Lo singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "I Wish" on YouTube | ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
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"I Wish" is a song written and performed by American rapper Skee-Lo. It was released on March 27, 1995 (his 20th birthday), via Scotti Brothers Records as the lead single from the rapper's debut studio album of the same name. Recording sessions took place at Sunshine Studios in Hollywood, California. Production was handled by Walter "Kandor" Kahn and Skee-Lo himself.
In the United States, the single peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling 600,000 copies domestically.[1] Internationally, the song reached number 4 in Sweden and Norway, number 5 in Finland, number 6 in the Netherlands, number 10 in Switzerland, number 14 in Germany and New Zealand, number 15 in the UK, and made it to the Top 25 in Belgium and France.
Most of the song's instruments are sampled from "Spinnin'" by Bernard Wright,[2] and the song features a vocal sample of people shouting from the track "Buffalo Gals" by Malcolm McLaren.
The song was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 38th Annual Grammy Awards but lost to Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise". Blender listed "I Wish" as number 359 on its list of "500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born".[3]
Overview[]
 | This section possibly contains original research. (June 2021) |
The song's lyrics are self-deprecating, with Skee-Lo lamenting a variety of personal shortcomings that he says are to blame for his unsuccessful love life. He wishes he were of taller stature ("like 6'9") and a basketball player ("a baller"). He wishes for a better car, specifically a '64 Impala, instead of his 1974 Ford Pinto with "an 8-Track and a spare tire in the backseat, but that's flat!" The lyrics also mention the Los Angeles neighborhood of Crenshaw, and a signpost featuring the street name appears in the background of the music video. Additionally, the song references Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" in the lyrics "Hey, you, what's that sound?/ Everybody look what's going down".
Critical reception[]
James Masterton for Dotmusic said, "Even at Christmas dance and rap hits can still have an impact. The brilliant pop hip-hop of Skee-Lo comes via persistent plugging from Radio One and a certain degreee of dancefloor popularity."[4] Ross Jones from The Guardian wrote, "Over a snake-hipped R&B groove, the boy's light-hearted delivery and humble subject matter invite favourable comparisons with both The Pharcyde and Souls Of Mischief."[5] Philippine newspaper Manila Standard called it "a true rarity — a rap song that dares to express vulnerable sentiments while retaining a funky edge".[6] A reviewer from Music Week rated it four out of five, adding, "A low-down, funky, rolling vibe from the LA-based rapper. Old-school funk fused with jazzy tinges do justice to a tune which deserves to cause waves, and not just in the hip hop fraternity."[7] Will Ashon from Muzik described it as "a ludicrous, dayglo, superfly wish-list from the self-depreciating and immediately likeable Skee-Lo".[8] James Hunter from Vibe commented, "Dreaming of girls, cars, and height, his 'I Wish' is a most excellent pop-rap hit. Prom-night celebrity, that's his aspiration, and nobody's articulated it better in years. Skee-Lo wins because he doesn't try to sound like anything he's not".[9]
Music video[]
A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Marty Thomas. It was nominated for three Billboard Music Video Awards: "Best Rap Clip", "Best Rap New Artist Music Video" and "Maximum Vision Clip of the Year".[10]
The video begins with Skee-Lo sitting on a bench like Forrest Gump. It includes scenes reenacting the story of the lyrics, such as driving around in his beat-up old car, and being picked on during a game of basketball.[11] The video was later published on YouTube in April 2013. The video has amassed more than 28,9 million views as of October 2021.[12]
In other media[]
- The Secret Handshake did a cover of this song on Punk Goes Crunk.
- In As Heard on Radio Soulwax Pt. 2, 2manydjs superimposed the vocals of "I Wish" over Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger", then The Breeders' "Cannonball".
- Far East Movement did a cover of this song for the 2008 film Ping Pong Playa.
- "I Wish" is also featured as one of the lyrical tracks from Girl Talk's album All Day, on the track "Jump on Stage".
- Rapper MC Lars parodied the chorus of this song on his 2007 track "White Kids Aren't Hyphy"
- Skee-Lo appeared with Cher Lloyd on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in November 2013, performing portions of "I Wish" along with her single "I Wish".
- Kevin Hart and Ice Cube released a remix of this song with NBA players Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Andre Iguodala and Kobe Bryant appearing in the video to advertise Hart and Cube's movie Ride Along. It appeared on the NBA on ESPN and ABC during their Christmas Day coverage.
- Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake did a cover of this song in the History of Rap 5 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
- The song was featured on an episode "All I Want for Christmas is You" of Hindsight.
- The song was featured in The Simpsons episode "22 for 30"
- The song was featured in Lizzie McGuire Season 2, Episode 25 “A Gordo Story”
- The song was featured in the trailer for the 2019 film Honey Boy starring Shia LaBeouf.
- The song was featured in Fresh Off the Boat, Season 5, Episode 20, "Nerd Watching".
- The song was featured during the credits of Season 1 Episode 4 of Santa Clarita Diet
- The song was featured in It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia in the season 2 episode "Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare"
Track listing[]
All tracks are written by Antoine Roundtree.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Wish" (Radio Edit) | 4:08 |
| 2. | "I Wish" (Street Mix) | 4:42 |
| 3. | "I Wish" (Old School Dub) | 4:52 |
| 4. | "I Wish" (Concrete Jungle Mix) | 4:30 |
| 5. | "I Wish" (Mama's Dub) | 4:42 |
| 6. | "I Wish" (Acappella) | 5:35 |
Charts and certifications[]
Weekly charts[]
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Year-end charts[]
Certifications[]
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References[]
- ^ "Best-Selling Records of 1995". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 108 (3): 56. January 20, 1996. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ White, Omari (May 10, 2018). "RESPECT. Interview: Skee-Lo Reminisces on Classic Hit Song, Gives NBA Playoffs Predictions". Respect. Archived from the original on May 10, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2021 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Blender Magazine Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". Blender. September 12, 2005. ISSN 1534-0554. Archived from the original on January 11, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Masterton, James (December 3, 1995). "Week Ending December 9th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ Jones, Ross (November 18, 1995). "Reviews: Singles". p. 33. The Guardian.
- ^ "Skee-lo debuts with 'I Wish'". Manila Standard. June 30, 1997. p. 21. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
- ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. November 18, 1995. p. 12. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Ashon, Will (June 1, 1995). "Hip hop: Singles" (PDF). Muzik. p. 76. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ Hunter, James (November 1, 1995). "Single File". Vibe. Vol. 3 no. 9. p. 120. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
- ^ Gillen, Marilyn A. (November 4, 1995). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 20. ISSN 0006-2510.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
- ^ Sorcinelli, Gino (November 7, 2018). ""I Saw a Vision to Make it Into a Hit Song": The Making of Skee-Lo's "I Wish"". Medium. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo - I Wish (Official Video)". YouTube. April 11, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 11 Aug 1996". ARIA. Retrieved April 18, 2020 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The HP column displays the highest position reached.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "HITS OF THE WORLD". Billboard. December 16, 1995. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
- ^ "Top Singles - Volume 62, No. 12, October 23, 1995". RPM. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
- ^ "Dance/Urban - Volume 62, No. 12 Oct 23, 1995". RPM. October 23, 1995. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
- ^ Danish Singles Chart. February 23, 1996.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. March 2, 1996. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
- ^ "Skee-Lo: I Wish" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Nr. 160: Vikuna 9.3. - 15.3. '96" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir. 1996-03-09. p. 50. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
- ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Skee-Lo" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish". VG-lista. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish". Singles Top 100. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo – I Wish". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Skee-Lo Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Music & Media 1996 in Review: Year End Sales Charts (Eurochart Hot 100 Singles)" (PDF). Music & Media. December 1996. p. 12. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". www.offiziellecharts.de (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1996". Sverigetopplistan (in Swedish). Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "1995: Year-End USA Charts (Singles)". Top40-Charts. Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "American single certifications – Skee-Lo – I Wish". Recording Industry Association of America.
External links[]
- Skee-Lo – I Wish at Discogs (list of releases)
- "Skee-Lo - I Wish Lyrics" (Fixed version)
- 1995 songs
- Skee-Lo songs
- 1995 debut singles
- Songs about Los Angeles
- Songs written by Anne Dudley
- Songs written by Trevor Horn
- Scotti Brothers Records singles