It's not the way you look
It's not the way that you smile
Although there's something to them
It's not the way you have your hair
It's not that certain smile
It could be that with you

If I had a photograph of you
It's something to remind me
I wouldn't spend my life just wishing

It's not the make up and
It's not the way that you dance
It's not the evening sky
It's more the way your eyes are laughing as they glance
Across the great divide

If I had a photograph of you
It's something to remind me
I wouldn't spend my life just wishing

It's not the things you say
It's not the things you do
It must be something more
And if I feel this way for so long
Tell me is it all for nothing
Just don't walk out the door

If I had a photograph of you
It's something to remind me
I wouldn't spend my life just wishing


Lyrics submitted by Ice

Wishing (If I Had a Photography of You) Lyrics as written by Paul Reynolds Frank Maudsley

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You) song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

9 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment
    I really liked this particular song back in the '80s though I said to myself, why? It has a lively, yet sad & wisful tone to it. I think I know why now--what that title really meant. I too had a few relationships that meant so much to me but once my guy was out of sight (not that I was shallow; actually my affection grew deeper) I, for the life of me, couldn't even remember what he looked like! Horrors! I found over the years with the people I admire and even love--like nieces and nephews, much less more traditional man-woman love--that unless I see them often enough or have photos of my loved ones which I hang prominently on the walls of my apt. to look at every so often, I tend to forget even physical characteristics. When I have people in my life that I love, I really need that photo, especially if that person and I don't have time to get together as much as we want to. It's weird, but I guess that makes me a rare "visually-oriented" female. I do all 5 senses!
    pharmageekon August 20, 2006   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    I just heard this song after many years of not hearing it, and it hit me like a ton of bricks because I'm falling in love all over again. This is a song that if you are away from your lover and don't get to see them very much, tell them to listen to this song so they will know how you feel...very powerful. One of my very favorite songs of all time, an absolute gem, and i can't believe it's not more well known.
    grateful1on July 10, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    one of the best "love" songs of the 80's
    poohblueskyon April 28, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    There's so much feeling in this song, it truly is an epic. Beautiful lyrics, stunning synth tune and a soft melodramatic singer. One of my favourite songs of all time, no question. That post by pharmageek is also much more meaningful if read whilst listening to this song! In fact, pretty much anything probably is! It's a powerful song.
    Danmagneton September 28, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    one of my fav 80s tunes
    carcrashkisson January 17, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    It was fall of 1984 when he first noticed this beautiful girl walking past him on her way to dance class (high school). He noticed her glancing back at him with those bright piercing blue eyes, big smile that lit up the room, he was magnetized by her confidence. She wore an 80s fashion, short blonde hair that would bounce as she walked past. He was trying to convince himself that these emotions couldn't be so real, but they were, he fell head over heels, it didn't matter what they did or where they went, it was bliss. They finally became close friends, then that youth immature boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. They finally spent one whole day together and it turned to be his biggest mistake . They became passionately involved, not knowing this would change things for her, she got dressed and was rushing for the door. He then says to his plea: And if I feel this way for so long, is it all for nothing......?....... Just don't walk out the door (pleading). It's too late and she says not a word. The end Horns (synths) are the horn of a large passenger ship, like the Titanic. She is waiting at the Port to board the ship. The ship blows all it's Horns, 5/6/4/3/4/3/2....he cries at the ship passes by him, one last whisper in his mind, IF I HAD A PHOTOGRÀPH OF HER OR SOMETHING TO REMIND ME OF WHAT I COULD HAVE HAD, STILL WISHING...................hence you get the flock of seagulls at the shipping doc. Love hurts
    Newave85on October 02, 2017   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    How can you not like those weird looking hairdos, too strong of a synth and that so-80's video (the way Mike Score plays the keyboards). I mean, come on..
    JpnGhton April 15, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    I didn’t know this song was written by bassist Frank Maudsley and lead guitarist Paul Reynolds!
    LimaCharlie1on April 30, 2021   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    great song !
    xl5ronon June 02, 2004   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Blank Space
Taylor Swift
This song is Swift's response to the negative reputation the media has given her. "I can make the bad guys good for a weekend" - the bad guys are the paparazzi to Swift, but are good to the "player" since association with Swift immediately gives publicity. Any publicity is good publicity and Swift knows this. "You can tell me when it's over" - the tabloids rumor relationships are over before the couple announces it officially. With this song Swift is portraying the way she is portrayed by the media. It is a sarcastic jab at how she views herself and how her "ex-lovers" only wanted to be with her to increase their fame. I applaud the brilliance in writing about how you always write about relationships. It is expected so Swift is giving the media what they want and profiting off the attention.
Album art
I don't want another sorry
Dax & Trippie Redd
This standalone single marks the first official collaboration between the two rappers. The track was produced by SephGotTheWaves, Stillsanexile & Trademark. It was released on December 29, 2020.
Album art
Nxbody
TheHxliday
This standout off the artiste's latest project, an EP titled "Batbxy", was jointly produced by Shop w/ Trap, VDIDIT & Mike Gonsolin. The track was released via notable streaming platforms on January 1, 2021.
Album art
Anyone
Justin Bieber
This standalone single marks the latest loosie that the Canadian pop superstar is dropping in anticipation of his next studio album. The track was produced by watt, The Monsters & Strangerz & Jon Bellion, and was released via digital streaming platforms on January 1, 2021.
Album art
Part Of The Game
50 Cent
This track marks the first official collaboration between the artists. The track serves as the official soundtrack for the newest edition of the hit show Empire. It was released on December 30, 2020