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Stevie Wonder - I Wish Ukulele Chords

ChordsDm, G, A, B, Em, Gm, Bm
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓-↓↑-↓↑↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.


[Dm] [G] [Dm] [G] [Dm] [G] [Dm] [G]
[Dm]Looking back on [G]when I, [Dm]was a [G]little nappy [Dm]headed boy, [G] [Dm] [G]
[Dm]Then my only [G]worry, [Dm]was for Christmas [G]what would be [Dm]my toy, [G] [Dm] [G]
[A]Even though we [B]sometimes, [Em]would not get a [Gm]thing,
[A]We were happy [B]with the, [Em]joy the day would [B]bring,


[Dm]Sneaking out the [G]back door, to [Dm]hang out with those [G]hoodlum friends [Dm]of mine
[Dm]Greeted at the [G]back door with “Boy, [Dm]I thought I told [G]you not to go [Dm]outside”,
[A]Trying your best to [B]bring the [Em]water to your [Gm]eyes
[A]Thinking it might [B]stop her from [Em]whooping your [B]behind


I wish those [Dm]days, [G]could, [Dm]come back [G]once more
Why did those [Dm]days [G]ever [Dm]have [G]to go
I wish those [Dm]days, [G]could, [Dm]come back [G]once more
Why did those [Dm]days [G]ever [Dm]have [G]to go, cause I loved ’em so…
[Dm]To doo to doo to doo doo etc..


[Dm]Brother says he’s [G]telling, [Dm]about you playing [G]doctor with [Dm]that girl
[Dm]Just don’t tell I’ll [G]give you, [Dm]anything [G]you want in this [Dm]whole wide world,
[A]Mama gives you [B]money, [Em]for Sunday [Gm]school
[A]You trade yours for [B]candy, [Em]after church is [B]through


[Dm]Smoking [G]cigarettes and [Dm]writing something [G]nasty on [Bm]the wall (you nasty boy!)
[Dm]Teacher sends you [G]to the [Dm]principal’s [G]office down [Dm]the hall
[A]You grow up and [B]learn that [Em]kind of thing ain’t [Gm]right
[A]But while you were [B]doing it, it [Em]sure felt outta [B]sight


I wish those [Dm]days, [G]could, [Dm]come back [G]once more
Why did those [Dm]days [G]ever [Dm]have [G]to go
I wish those [Dm]days, [G]could, [Dm]come back [G]once more
Why did those [Dm]days [G]ever [Dm]have [G]to go, cause I loved ’em so…


[Dm] [G]

AlbumMusic of My Mind
GenresR&B, Soul
Year1972
KeyDm
DifficultyIntermediate

How to play I Wish on Ukulele (Step-by-step)

Stevie Wonder - I Wish on ukulele requires 7 chords and 10 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓-↓↑-↓↑↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

I Wish uses these transitions most often: Dm → G (41), G → Dm (38), and A → B (8). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with Dm - G chord transition.

1. Dm → G chord transition

To move from Dm to G;

  1. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from C string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
Dm to G

2. G → A chord transition

To move from G to A;

  1. While playing G, lift your ring finger from E string fret 3.
  2. Slide your index finger on C string from fret 2 to fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from A string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
G to A

3. A → B chord transition

To move from A to B;

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to C string fret 3.
  3. Place ring finger on G string fret 4.
A to B

4. B → Em chord transition

To move from B to Em;

  1. Lift your index finger from E string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 3 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 4 and place it on C string fret 4.
B to Em

5. Em → Gm chord transition

To move from Em to Gm;

  1. Slide your index finger on A string from fret 2 to fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from E string fret 3 to C string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from C string fret 4 and place it on E string fret 3.

6. Gm → A chord transition

To move from Gm to A;

  1. While playing Gm, lift your ring finger from E string fret 3.
  2. Lift your index finger from A string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 1.
  3. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 2 to G string fret 2.

7. B → Dm chord transition

To move from B to Dm;

  1. Slide your index finger on E string from fret 2 to fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from C string fret 3 to G string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from G string fret 4 and place it on C string fret 2.

8. Dm → A chord transition

To move from Dm to A;

  1. While playing Dm, lift your ring finger from C string fret 2.
  2. Lift your index finger from E string fret 1 and place it on C string fret 1.
  3. Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.

9. G → Bm chord transition

To move from G to Bm;

  1. While playing G, lift your middle finger from A string fret 2.
  2. Keep index finger on C string fret 2.
  3. Lift your ring finger from E string fret 3 and place it on G string fret 4.

10. Bm → Dm chord transition

To move from Bm to Dm;

  1. Lift your index finger from C string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your ring finger from G string fret 4 to C string fret 2.
  3. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in I Wish.

  • I Wish includes 117 chord transitions, 10 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.03% of all chord transitions in Ukulelearn.
  • I Wish contains 3 of the top 25 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how I Wish connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After Dm, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (18%), G (16%), and Am (14%).
    • Dm → G: 16%
    • Dm → A: 3%
    After G, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (25%), D (24%), and Am (13%).
    • G → A: 6%
    • G → Bm: 4%