Wishing On A Star

Album: In Full Bloom (1977)
Charted: 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written by Billie Rae Calvin, a female singer/songwriter who was formerly a member of Undisputed Truth. She wrote it with Barbra Streisand in mind, but she had a connection with producer Norman Whitfield who usurped it for his group Rose Royce instead. Whitfield, who produced the track, worked for Motown Records but brought Rose Royce to his own label, Whitfield. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Faundell - Brooklyn, NJ
  • In this melancholy song the narrator regrets splitting up with her lover who has departed to somewhere wishing she can follow them so they can reconcile their relationship.
  • Despite not charting in the American Pop charts, the song has become a classic covered by many artists including the girl group Cover Girls who scored a #9 pop hit (#38 in the UK) with a dance version with it in 1992. It was also covered by Beyoncé for an advertising campaign promoting Tommy Hilfiger's new perfume, True Star. Her version was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2006.
  • Other charting versions include early British rave act Fresh Four featuring Lizz E, which reached #10 in 1989 and Paul Weller's 2004 UK #11 hit. In 1997 it also featured as a sample in the Jay-Z featuring Gwen Dickey #13 UK hit of the same name.
  • This was featured in the 2001 John Singleton movie Baby Boy.
  • This is the song performed by Miriam Stockley for the opening credits of The 10th Kingdom made for TV miniseries. The opening credits won an Emmy award for Outstanding Main Title. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above
  • A charity version recorded by the 2011 X Factor contestants plus former participants One Direction and JLS topped the UK singles in December 2011. All profits went to the Together For Short Lives charity, which supports the estimated 23,500 children and young people who are not expected to reach adulthood.

Comments: 1

  • John from Nashville, TnJr. Walker recorded an instrumental version of this song for his only Whitfield Records album BACK STREET BOOGIE (1979). This Norman Whitfield production received a Grammy nomination for best R&B Instrumental Performance.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.