I Wish | Chords + Lyrics
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 Chords: Unpacking the Dorian Progression and Harmonic Shifts
Let’s break down Stevie Wonder’s masterpiece, I Wish.
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. 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.
For the chorus, the progression mirrors the verse and intro.
To get parts for all sections, check the TAB lesson, complete with play-along loops: I Wish – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Here’s a chord chart to help you remember I Wish chords on the gig.
I Wish Backing Track | Chord Chart
(PDF + iReal Pro)
At the top of this page, you’ll find two backing tracks for playing I Wish. I’ve used AI to extract the chords while keeping the drums, bass, and vocals intact. The second track has vocals.
Use the backing track to prepare for playing I Wish with a band.
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, or down to, let’s say Dbm if your singer can’t go as high as Stevie does.
Next, let’s take a look at my one acoustic guitar arrangement, this is in the key of Em!
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 A (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 – 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.
(You’re buying these on vinyl, right?)
But first—let’s get I Wish under your fingers!
I Wish Chords: Continue Learning
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: I Wish (Stevie Wonder) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy: