23 Songs About Wishes, from When You Wish Upon a Star to Genie in a Bottle

What is the most famous song about wishes?

"When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio is the most famous song about wishing, and it became the theme of Disney itself. "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder is the classic soul song about childhood wishes, and "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd is the rock song about wishing someone were still beside you.

Wishing songs from movies and musicals

1. "When You Wish Upon a Star", from Pinocchio: the 1940 Oscar winner sung by Jiminy Cricket.
2. "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", from Cinderella: a gentle song about holding on to hope.
3. "Friend Like Me", from Aladdin: the Genie shows off what three wishes can do.
4. "Somewhere Out There", Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram: from An American Tail.
5. "Over the Rainbow", Judy Garland: wishing for a place where troubles melt away.
6. "If I Were a Rich Man", from Fiddler on the Roof: a poor man's daydream.
7. "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again", from The Phantom of the Opera: a daughter's wish to see her father.

Classic songs about wishing

8. "Wishin' and Hopin'", Dusty Springfield: a 1964 pop classic.
9. "I Wish It Would Rain", The Temptations: a Motown heartbreak song.
10. "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free", Nina Simone: a wish for freedom.
11. "I Wish", Stevie Wonder: wishing for the carefree days of childhood.
12. "Wish You Were Here", Pink Floyd: missing someone who is gone.
13. "Wishing on a Star", Rose Royce: a soulful 1977 ballad.
14. "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)", A Flock of Seagulls: a new wave favorite.
15. "Wishing Well", Terence Trent D'Arby: a 1988 number one.

Modern songs about wishes

16. "If I Had a Million Dollars", Barenaked Ladies: a funny list of what they would buy.
17. "I Wish", Skee-Lo: a 90s hip hop wish to be a little taller.
18. "Wishlist", Pearl Jam: a gentle list of simple wishes.
19. "Genie in a Bottle", Christina Aguilera: her 1999 debut hit.
20. "Wish You Were Here", Incubus: a perfect moment you want to share.
21. "Billionaire", Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars: dreaming of what you would do with a fortune.
22. "Wish I Knew You", The Revivalists: wishing you had met someone sooner.
23. "Grown-Up Christmas List", Amy Grant: wishes for the world instead of presents.

Why do we sing about wishes?

A wish is the simplest kind of hope: something you want, said out loud or in your head, with no guarantee it will come true. Songs about wishes can be playful, like "If I Had a Million Dollars", or deeply sad, like "Wish You Were Here", which is why they fit everything from a birthday party to a memorial.

Songs about wishes for a birthday

Birthday candles are the most famous wish of all. For a birthday party, "I Wish", "If I Had a Million Dollars" and "Genie in a Bottle" keep things fun, and "When You Wish Upon a Star" is a sweet choice for a child's birthday as the cake comes out. See our birthday songs for more.

Wishing on stars, coins and candles

People make wishes in all kinds of ways: on the first star of the night, on a shooting star, on a dandelion or by tossing a coin into a fountain. "Three Coins in the Fountain", sung by Frank Sinatra for the 1954 film, is about the famous tradition at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. A playlist of wishing songs is a fun idea for a New Year's party, when everyone is making wishes for the year ahead.

Wishes for a new baby

For a baby shower or a new baby's first days, "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "Somewhere Out There" make gentle lullabies full of hope for the future. See our songs about having a baby for more.

Wishing songs for kids

Children love the Disney wishing songs: "When You Wish Upon a Star", "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and "Friend Like Me" are easy to sing along to. At bedtime, a slow wishing song pairs well with looking for the first star of the night. See our songs about stars for more.

Wish you were here: songs for missing someone

Some of the most moving songs about wishes are about someone who is far away or gone. "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" and "Somewhere Out There" are favorites for a memorial, a long-distance relationship or a holiday without a loved one.

Wishes and dreams

Wishes and dreams go hand in hand. For songs about chasing a dream rather than wishing for it, see our songs about dreams and motivational songs, and for a lucky break, our songs about luck.

A song full of your wishes for them

A personalized song can say what every birthday card tries to: all the things you wish for someone you love, with their name in the chorus and your memories in the verses. It makes a beautiful birthday, graduation or new baby gift, and it lasts longer than any candle.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, acoustic, country and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three wishes you have for them.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Put your wishes for them into a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.