“I wish those days could come back once more,
Why did those days ever have
to go… Cause I love them so…”
These are the opening words to the chorus
on the song called “I Wish” by Stevie
Wonder. It was released in the fall of 1976
by Motown Records as a single that was included in the “Songs in the Key of Life” album.
The song became an instance hit and number #1 on the billboard charts by
the spring of 1977. The album was the 18th
recording for Stevie Wonder and became the best-selling and most critically acclaimed
albums of his long extraordinary career.
In addition, it became a worldwide hit as well is considered part of the
top albums of all time.
The song itself, “I Wish” became the top selling single of the album and would begin
setting a high standard for others to follow.
The lyrics themselves are based
on the reflections of Stevie growing up as a little boy in the 1950 and 1960’s. The amazing thing about Stevie is that he was
born blind and by the age of eleven he signed a recording deal with Motown’s
Tamia label. He soon was considered a
child prodigy in music, singer and songwriter and developed into one of the
most beloved musical figures of our times. In taking a closer look at the lyrics, it reflects a lot about the feelings, emotions and activities of being a child growing up. The song also brings to life a sense of testing the boundaries and yet knowing that what you were doing was not always the right thing to do. It also brings to light that limits are needed for all children, regardless of their talents and abilities.
In my view the song continues to speak volumes to what continues to occur in the 21st century…for children will be children. But my central question is this… “Who is setting the limits and the standards for a good society today?” So, as we move forward in the new year of 2014, I say… let go “retro.” Let set some new standards in helping those locked in poverty, unemployed, lack of education, health care, gun violence, voting rights and more. Let’s make what is considered “old” the “new normal” and raise the bar and the expectations on things that really matter. So, where is my afro pick and platform shoes, I may need them…Can you dig it!!!
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