I Wish You Knew – English Lyrics

• By: Mariah Carey
• Album: The Emancipation of Mimi

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Mariah Carey's "I Wish You Knew" to explore the nuances of expressing hidden emotions and unrequited love. This song offers a glimpse into soulful balladry and the art of conveying deep feelings, enriched by Carey's vocal delivery and heartfelt lyrics. Discover how music can capture the universal experience of longing and vulnerability.

[English]

I've got to see you

Wherever you are

And I've got to be there

I'm wishing on stars

I've got to reveal what's inside of my heart

But the words escape me

And I'm paralyzed

So helpless when I

Look into your eyes

And how I wish you only knew

What I feel inside for you

You probably haven't got a clue

But I wish you knew

How I love you baby

Honestly I know it's silly of me

To want you so badly

But keep it concealed

See my inferiority complex kicks in

And the words escape me

And I'm paralyzed

So helpless when I

Look into your eyes

And how I wish you only knew

What I feel inside for you

You probably haven't got a clue

But I wish you knew

How I love you baby

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
see /siː/ A1	verb - to perceive with the eyes
stars /stɑːrz/ A2	noun - plural of star; celestial bodies in space
reveal /rɪˈviːl/ B2	verb - to make known or visible; to disclose
heart /hɑːrt/ B1	noun - an organ that pumps blood; the center of emotion or love noun - the emotional center of a person
words /wɜːdz/ B1	noun - units of language used to express thoughts; spoken or written statements noun - things that are said; statements
escape /ɪˈskeɪp/ A2	verb - to break free from confinement or danger; to get away verb - to avoid or elude
paralyzed /ˈpærəlaɪzd/ B2	adjective - unable to move or act; immobilized adjective - overwhelmed with shock or emotion to the point of inaction
helpless /ˈhelpləs/ B2	adjective - unable to do anything to help yourself; lacking power or support
look /lʊk/ A1	verb - to direct one’s gaze in a particular direction; to see
eyes /aɪz/ A2	noun - organs of sight noun - the appearance or expression seen in someone’s eyes
wish /wɪʃ/ B1	verb - to desire; to want something to happen
knew /njuː/ or /nuː/ A2	verb - past tense of know; to have knowledge
feel /fiːl/ A2	verb - to experience an emotion or physical sensation
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to feel deep affection for someone or something
baby /ˈbeɪ.bi/ A1	noun - an infant or very young child
silly /ˈsɪl.i/ A2	adjective - foolish or not serious
want /wɒnt/ or /wɑːnt/ A1	verb - to desire; to wish for
concealed /kənˈsiːld/ B2	adjective - hidden from sight; kept secret
inferiority /ˌɪn.fəˈriː.ɒr.ɪ.ti/ C1	noun - the state of being inferior; a feeling of being less important or capable
complex /ˈkɒm.pleks/ B2	noun - a group of related ideas, feelings, and memories; a mental construct

Key Grammar Structures

• I've got to see you

  ➔ have to

  ➔ This is a modal verb expressing obligation or necessity.

• Wherever you are

  ➔ wherever

  ➔ Adverb indicating a place or situation without restriction.

• And I've got to be there

  ➔ have to be

  ➔ Combination of 'have to' and 'be' expressing obligation to be in a specific place.

• I'm wishing on stars

  ➔ wish

  ➔ Verb expressing a strong desire or hope for something.

• I've got to reveal what's inside of my heart

  ➔ have to reveal

  ➔ Combination of 'have to' and 'reveal' expressing the necessity to share inner feelings.

• But the words escape me

  ➔ but

  ➔ Conjunction introducing a contrast or exception.

• And I'm paralyzed

  ➔ and

  ➔ Conjunction connecting two clauses or ideas.

• So helpless when I

  ➔ so

  ➔ Adverb introducing a consequence or result.

• Look into your eyes

  ➔ look into

  ➔ Phrasal verb expressing intense focus or attention.