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During their earliest days Phish performed this Stevie Wonder classic on two known occassions: 4/6/85 at Finbar's, and then at one of Page’s first shows with the band, 10/30/85 at Hunt's. As with certain other early covers (“Light Up Or Leave Me Alone” comes to mind), fans hoped “I Wish” would return with the emergence of cow funk in ‘97, but alas, no sign of the song in setlists yet, despite teases of the song on 4/17/93 (“YEM”), 8/16/93 (“Weekapaug”), 7/13/94 (“Tweezer”), and 7/25/99 (“Suzy”).

Watch I Wish on YouTube Stevie Wonder, "I Wish"

(Wonder)
© Black Bull Music, Inc. (ASCAP)

Looking back on when I
Was a little nappy headed boy
Then my only worry
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes
Would not get a thing
We were happy with the
Joy the day would bring

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"
Tryin' your best to bring the
Water to your eyes
Thinkin' it might stop her
From woopin' your behind

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

Brother says he's tellin'
'Bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Just don't tell I'll give you
Anything you want in this whole wide world
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
You trade yours for candy after church is through

Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the hall
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
But while you were doin' it, it sure felt outta sight!

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