Chords + Lyrics | I Wish
Intro
||: Ebm7 Ab :|| x8
Verse 1
||: Emb7 Ab | Ebm7 Ab :||
Looking back on when I was a little nappy-headed boy.
Then my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy.
Bridge 1
| Bb7 C7 | Fm7 Abm6 |
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing,
| Bb7 C7 | Fm7 Bb7 |
we were happy with the joy the day would bring.
Verse 2
||: Emb7 Ab | Ebm7 Ab :||
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.
Bridge 2
| Bb7 C7 | Fm7 Abm6 |
Trying your best to bring the water to your eyes,
| Bb7 C7 | Fm7 Bb7 (Bb7#9) |
thinking it might stop her from woopin’ your behind.
Chorus 1
||: Emb7 Ab | Ebm7 Ab :||
I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go.
I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go, ’cause I love them so.
Instrumental 1
||: Ebm7 Ab :|| x4
Do do do…
Verse 3
Brother says he’s telling ’bout you playing doctor with that girl.
Just don’t tell I’ll give you anything you want in this whole wide world.
Bridge 3
Mama gives you money for Sunday school,
you trade yours for candy after church is through.
Verse 4
Smoking cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy).
Teacher sends you to the principal’s office down the hall.
Bridge 4
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain’t right,
but while you were doing it, it sure felt outta sight.
Chorus 2
I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go.
I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go.
Outro
||: Emb7 Ab :|| x4
||: Emb7 Ab :|| x32 (horn line)
I Wish Backing Tracks | Chord Analysis
Above, you’ll find backing tracks to use when learning December, 1963 (Oh What A Night!). I’ve used stem separation to extract the guitar while keeping the drums, bass, keys, horns, and vocals intact.
There is also a drums, bass, and vocals only version available and one without vocals so you can practise soloing over I Wish.
After studying the chords and TAB, use my backing tracks to prepare for playing this tune with a band.
Chord Progressions – What’s Going On?
Let’s break down this Stevie Wonder’s masterpiece.
Intro + Verse
The verse progression follows the same II – V movement as the intro, Ebm7 – Ab7 in the original key. This II – V progression ranks as #4 on my top 10 chord progression list, creating a distinctly Dorian harmonic landscape.
The bridge introduces a more adventurous twist. Staying in the original key, we shift to Eb major (rather than Eb Dorian, like the verse), incorporating VIx and IVm variations.
Bridge
Here’s the bridge progression in the original key:
| Bb7 (V) C7 (VIx) |
| Fm7 (II) Abm6 (IVm) |
| Bb7 (V) C7 (VIx) |
| Fm7 (II) Bb7 (V) |
The final Bb7 chord could also be extended to Bb7#9.
Chorus
For the chorus, the progression mirrors the verse and intro.
To get parts for all sections, check the TAB further down this guitar lesson
Here’s a chord chart to help you remember I Wish chords on the gig.
I Wish Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Should you want to download this chart, here’s a PDF: I Wish chord chart PDF.
This chord chart was created using iReal Pro, here’s a link to that file: I Wish iReal Pro.
Using this and the iRealPro app, you can change the key to Em and play I Wish on the acoustic guitar, more on this further down this guitar lesson. Before we get to the acoustic version, let’s stick with playing in Ebm as if we play in a band by looking at TAB.
I Wish | TAB
Using the backing tracks above, work on all sections using the TAB below (the TAB is also recorded as individual loops further down this guitar lesson).
Here’s the intro bass line. I’ve added a small 16th note figure — a keyboard addition — while the bass plays straight 8th notes throughout.
Here’s another version of the bass line. This time we add more extra notes — practise it with the loop or even the full backing tracks above, knowing the bass line and getting the right feel for it is a very good idea!
Let’s move on to the verse. Here’s a more understated way to play it.
Now let’s look at an over-the-top version — this time we play the melody and then answer it!
Perhaps the best way forward is to practise both approaches, then find a balance between them while staying attentive to what the rest of the band is playing.
Here’s the bridge section:
And this is the chorus. I like how the Ab7 chord becomes a dominant here, whereas in the verse it was just a triad.
This is the breakdown section — sometimes it delights singers, sometimes not…
Finally, here’s the outro:
Once you feel confident playing the TAB – practise using the backing tracks above, Need help with playing the TAB? Here they all are recorded for you as well.
I Wish | Acoustic Arrangement
Let’s transpose I Wish up a semitone — and then get that acoustic guitar out!
Here’s a performance of it in the keys of Em/E I recorded many years ago when Spytunes first started.
I Wish | Chords + Lyrics (Em and E)
Intro
||: Em7 A :|| x8
Verse 1
||: Em7 A | Em7 A :||
Looking back on when I was a little nappy-headed boy.
Then my only worry was for Christmas what would be my toy.
Bridge 1
| B7 C#7 | F#m7 Am6 |
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing,
| B7 C#7 | F#m7 B7 (B7#9) |
we were happy with the joy the day would bring.
Verse 2
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”.
Bridge 2
Trying your best to bring the water to your eyes,
thinking it might stop her from woopin’ your behind.
Chorus 1
||: Em7 A | Em7 A :||
I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go.
I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go, ’cause I love them so.
Instrumental
||: Em7 A :|| x4
Do do do…
Verse 3
Brother says he’s telling ’bout you playing doctor with that girl.
Just don’t tell I’ll give you anything you want in this whole wide world.
Bridge 3
Mama gives you money for Sunday school,
you trade yours for candy after church is through.
Verse 4
Smoking cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy).
Teacher sends you to the principal’s office down the hall.
Bridge 4
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain’t right,
but while you were doing it, it sure felt outta sight.
Chorus 2
I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go.
I wish those days could come back once more, why did those days ever have to go.
Outro
||: Em7 A :|| x8 (chords)
||: Em7 A :|| x8 (horn line)
||: Em7 A :|| x8 (Bassline)
Playing I Wish on Acoustic Guitar: Transposing for a Fuller Sound
If you’re playing I Wish with a full band, sticking to the original key of Ebm isn’t an issue—especially with bass and keyboards in the mix.
However, when arranging I Wish for solo acoustic guitar, things get trickier. That’s why I transposed it to Em (Dorian)—this allows me to incorporate open strings, making the arrangement sound fuller and more natural.
Two key elements must be preserved:
- The bass line – This must be played exactly as on the record. It’s perfect as it is and shouldn’t be altered.
- The syncopated chords – These provide the groove and must be woven into the arrangement between bass notes.
Using Em7 and A7 (rather than Ebm7 and Ab7) makes sense on acoustic guitar since open strings can be utilised. Even the horn line in the outro benefits from this adjustment.
For chord voicings, I primarily use an Am-shaped Em7, then either move down to an E-shaped A or up to a C-shaped A.
I Wish Acoustic | TAB (Em and E)
Here’s the TAB for my solo acoustic guitar arrangement of I Wish by Stevie Wonder.
In an ideal world, you’d learn how to play this classic both on electric guitar (with the band) and as a solo acoustic arrangement. Doing so will not only deepen your knowledge of the guitar, but also your understanding of music as a whole.
A Highlight from One of Stevie Wonder’s Greatest Albums
Released in 1976, I Wish was the lead single from the iconic Songs in the Key of Life—a true peak in Stevie Wonder’s career.
Though it reached #1 in the U.S. and Canada, its initial commercial impact was modest compared to its lasting legacy. Today, I Wish is not just an essential addition to the repertoire for every Motown and Soul band, it’s a must-know for any working musician.
The same album also gave us another classic, Sir Duke, another must-have in a guitarist’s setlist. As a double album, Songs in the Key of Life delivered two more timeless Stevie tracks: As and Isn’t She Lovely.
If you want to dive deeper into Stevie Wonder’s best work, these four albums are essential listening:
- Innervisions (1973) – Featuring Living for the City, Higher Ground, All in Love Is Fair, and He’s Misstra Know-It-All.
- Talking Book (1972) – Includes You Are the Sunshine of My Life, Superstition, and I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever.
- Songs in the Key of Life (1976) – A masterpiece with I Wish, Sir Duke, As, and Isn’t She Lovely.
- Hotter Than July (1980) – Highlights include Master Blaster (Jammin’), Lately, and Happy Birthday.
But first—let’s get I Wish under your fingers!
I Wish Chords: Continue Learning
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