I Wish – English Lyrics

• By: Hayley Kiyoko
• Album: Expectations

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Hayley Kiyoko's emotional track "I Wish" and explore the nuanced expressions of longing and friendship in English. This pop song offers a relatable narrative about unrequited love and the power of a strong support system, making it a great way to learn vocabulary related to emotions, relationships, and personal reflection. Its clear vocals and direct storytelling make the lyrics accessible, while Kiyoko's artistic authenticity adds a special depth to your language learning journey.

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
wish /wɪʃ/ A1	verb - to want something that is difficult or impossible to have
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a deep feeling of affection
found /faʊnd/ A2	verb - past tense of 'find'; to discover or locate something
attention /əˈtenʃən/ A2	noun - notice or interest shown in someone or something
selfish /ˈsɛlfɪʃ/ B1	adjective - lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with oneself
affection /əˈfɛkʃən/ B1	noun - a gentle feeling of fondness or liking
speak /spiːk/ A1	verb - to say words or have a conversation
mind /maɪnd/ A2	noun - the part of a person that thinks, feels, and remembers
decide /dɪˈsaɪd/ A2	verb - to make a choice or judgment
storm /stɔːrm/ A2	noun - a violent weather condition with strong winds and heavy rain
iris /ˈaɪrɪs/ B2	noun - the colored part of the eye
lied /laɪd/ A2	verb - past tense of 'lie'; to say something that is not true
raining /ˈreɪnɪŋ/ A2	verb - present participle of 'rain'; to fall in drops from the clouds
wild /waɪld/ B1	adjective - uncontrolled or violent in behavior
wonder /ˈwʌndər/ A2	verb - to think about something with curiosity
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears, often as an expression of sadness

Key Grammar Structures

• I wish I wish I wish I "found" love

  ➔ Wish + past simple (unreal present)

  ➔ The verb "found" is in the past simple after "wish" to express a wish that is contrary to reality.

• You shut down "when" I tell you all the shit I want

  ➔ Zero conditional (when + present simple)

  ➔ "When" introduces a present‑simple clause that expresses a habitual situation.

• I don't know where we're "gon'" go from here

  ➔ Going‑to future (informal "gon'")

  ➔ "Gon'" is a colloquial contraction of "going to" used to talk about a planned future action.

• You "don't" pay me no attention

  ➔ Present simple negative (double negative)

  ➔ "Don't" is the negative auxiliary used with the simple present verb "pay".

• I "wake" up in the morning time

  ➔ Present simple for routines/habits

  ➔ "Wake" is in the present simple to describe a regular daily action.

• Sometimes I wonder if you "will" ever love me ever

  ➔ Future simple with "will" in an if‑clause

  ➔ "Will" forms the future simple inside the if‑clause, which is acceptable when the condition refers to a future possibility.

• Why "won't" you just send me somebody

  ➔ Modal verb in a negative question ("won't")

  ➔ "Won't" is the contracted form of "will not" used to make a polite negative request in question form.

• You're selfish with your affection

  ➔ Contraction of "you are" + adjective (present simple)

  ➔ "You're" is the contracted form of "you are" followed by the adjective "selfish".

• We butt heads 'cause you're "payin'" him attention

  ➔ Present continuous (informal "-in'" form)

  ➔ "Payin'" is the colloquial dropping of the final "g" in the present participle "paying", showing an ongoing action.