In most of the classic Disney movies and in many
Broadway musicals, the "I Wish" number is the main
character's first song.

It reveals the hero's driving motivation; and it lays out
the story's main theme. This song sets the stage for
the events that follow.

In The Wizard of Oz, for example, when Dorothy
sings Somewhere Over The Rainbow, she
expresses the belief that happiness is to be found
far away from her Kansas farm.

In the end, of course, she learns that she had been
blind to the happiness that was all around her; and
that "there is no place like home."



If indeed "All the world's a stage, And all the men
and women merely players", what might be the
"I Wish" songs that we sing.

That is, what do our words and actions convey
in the opening acts of our relationsips?



Here are links to two classic "I Wish" songs

Judy Garland - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Snow White - I'm Wishing



For more on this topic check out this episode
of This American Life