Unlocking the Secrets to "Wishing on a Star”
by ilikeit
What is it about “Wishing on a Star” to make it one of the most popular cover songs in R&B music? Let’s explore what lies between the lines of the lyrics in this song. It starts off with the chorus:
To follow where you are.
I’m wishing on a dream.
To follow what it means.
I’m wishing on a star to follow where you are.
I’m wishing on a dream to follow what it means.
And I wish on all the rainbows that I see.
I wish on all the people who really dream.
And I’m wishing on tomorrow, praying it’ll come.
And I’m wishing on all the lovin’ we’ve ever done. ”
What’s interesting is that all of the artists who covered this song kept the lyrics the same excerpt Beyonce. In her version the last line of the chorus goes, “And I’m wishing on all the other things we never done.” This is a very important line because it shows how deep her undying love is for this guy. When two people have been intimate it creates a stronger bond. Changing the word lovin’ and Beyonce made a big change for the chorus. And I think Beyonce knew very well what she was doing when she changed it, because it changed the meaning.
Believe it or not this song invokes a lot of emotion despite the simplicity of the song. Ask your self how can this song contain inspirational value and show signs of a great stalker movie all at the same time. Here’s the parody the song describes a woman’s acknowledgement of her relationship ending, but she is longing for the return of this ex-lover so that they can resume their relationship.
This brings me to the next puzzle piece verse one.
So far away from home.
So far away from me.
Just think of all the moments that we spent.
I just can’t let you go, for me you were meant.
And I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I know.
That in the game of love, you reap what you sow”
This part of the song acknowledges her wrong doing which allowed him to leave and she is reaping what she sow. In today’s state of technology instead of wishing on a star to follow where you are. All you need is GPS. Instead of wishing on a dream to follow what it means. All you need is the software that comes with the GPS and Google Earth.
”Wishing on a Star’s” staying power amazes me, considering a song that was not a hit at the time of its inception in 1978. Originally performed by Rose Royce and penned by Billie Rae Calvin you have to wonder why it only peaked at #52 on Billboards. Despite this songs inability to crack the top 10 on the billboard it has had quite a few notable acts cover it. Fresh Four, Junior Walker, The Covergirls, Paul Weller, Miriam Stockley, Bic Runga, Teena Marie, Beyonce, and my favorite Will Downing. This song is a slow ballad and written beautifully.
It was originally produced by Norman Whitfield who owned the record company at the time. In 1992 the Covergirls cover of the song reached #9 on billboard’s Hot 100. And when Paul Weller released it as a single it reached #11 in 2004. These chart numbers tells me one thing and that‘s the artist is not looking for a quick hit. They’re actually paying homage to a great R&B song. I think this song has somehow become a rite of passage for an artist. So have fun with this song and remember guy’s women have been stalking in a fun way for years and all the pieces to the puzzle of love are in our beautifully written R&B love songs.
The original:
Beyonce’s version:
Will Downing’s version:
