I Wish

Song Meaning

L'Arc〜en〜Ciel's "I Wish" opens with a tender, urgent plea to someone crying alone in the dark. The speaker promises to rush to their side before the stroke of midnight. It's a scene of immediate comfort, infused with a hint of magical deadline. The core emotional tension here is pulling someone out of deep despair. The lyrics suggest the person is so lost they might "lose even the feeling of believing." The speaker's strategy is to shift their focus outward, urging them to "open that window" and see the city "overflowing with miracles," hearing nostalgic songs carried on a "wonderful organ." What truly elevates these lyrics is the speaker's escalating, selfless devotion. Initially, they promise to arrive and celebrate with "pure white angels." But as the song progresses, their commitment deepens, declaring, "If you wish, I'll even swim the sky." This hyperbolic imagery underscores an unconditional love, culminating in the powerful wish that "no matter what happens to me," the other person remains "eternally happy." This blend of intimate reassurance and fantastical imagery makes the song profoundly effective. It transforms a moment of solitary sadness into a shared, hopeful celebration, driven by a love so strong it prioritizes the other's happiness above all else. The repeated English phrases like "I wish you smile for me" act as a gentle, insistent mantra, reinforcing the central theme of enduring hope.