“This Wish” is a pivotal song from Disney’s 2023 animated film Wish, performed by Ariana DeBose, who voices the protagonist, Asha. The song serves as Asha’s “I Want” song—a musical theater term describing a number where the main character expresses their deepest desires and motivations.
In “This Wish,” Asha conveys her yearning to reveal the truths she has discovered and to inspire change in her community. She reflects on the weight of truth and her frustration with being silenced, ultimately declaring her determination to act despite opposition. The lyrics capture her resolve: “But when I speak they tell me ‘sit down’ / But how can I when I’ve already started runnin’.”
The song was co-written by Julia Michaels and JP Saxe, with Michaels noting that “This Wish” was conceived before the film’s script was completed. This early composition helped shape the narrative, centering on “an ordinary girl who goes on this brave, selfless journey to get wishes back for the people she loves.”
“This Wish” was released as the film’s lead single on October 18, 2023, as part of a promotional strategy unveiling songs weekly ahead of the movie’s release. Ariana DeBose performed the song live at Disneyland Paris following the conclusion of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, with a recording of this performance premiering on Good Morning America on November 22, 2023.
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