Wish List (song)

Last updated

"Wish List"
Song by Taylor Swift
from the album The Life of a Showgirl
ReleasedOctober 3, 2025 (2025-10-03)
Studio
  • MXM
  • Shellback (Stockholm)
Genre
Length3:27
Label Republic
Songwriters
Producers
  • Taylor Swift
  • Max Martin
  • Shellback
Lyric video
"Wish List" on YouTube

"Wish List" (stylized as "Wi$h Li$t") is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her twelfth studio album The Life of a Showgirl (2025). Written and produced by Swift, Max Martin and Shellback, it is a 1980s electropop and synth-pop power ballad, with lyrics about the narrator's desire for love and a peaceful domestic life.

Contents

Background and release

The American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift created her twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl , to reflect on her triumphant state of mind amidst the success of the Eras Tour and her relationship with the football player Travis Kelce in 2024. [1] She recorded the album with the producers Max Martin and Shellback in Sweden during May–August 2024, in between the European stops of the Eras Tour. [2] Swift announced the album during the August 13, 2025, episode of Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast New Heights ; "Elizabeth Taylor" was revealed as the second track. [1]

The Life of a Showgirl was released on October 3, 2025, via Republic Records, with "Wish List" as the eighth track. [3] [4] In an interview on the Heart Breakfast show, Swift revealed that "Wish List" was her favorite song in the album, describing it as "dreamy" and "romantic". [5] She additionally stated that the track was the final song to be written and recorded for The Life of a Showgirl, calling it the album's "final piece". [6]

Composition

Swift wrote and produced "Wish List" with Martin and Shellback. At 3 minutes and 27 seconds long, [7] it is a 1980s electropop [8] and synth-pop [9] [10] power ballad. [11] Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times described the sound as "electro-trappy". [12] Maria Sherman of the Associated Press likened the song's production to that of Swift's 2022 album Midnights . [13] Lyrically, Swift wrote "Wish List" to contrast between others' desires from life and hers; whereas others want to have material wellbeing and excesses (a "yacht life", "bright lights", a Palme d'Or, a contract with Real Madrid), she wants a life with her lover: "Have a couple kids/ got the whole block looking like you." [6] [14] [15] [16]

Reception

Ariana Brockington of Today described the song as a sequel to "So High School" – a track from her previous album The Tortured Poets Department (2024), as both songs refer to Kelce. [17] Likewise, Lindsay Zoladz of The New York Times and Anna Gaca of Pitchfork dubbed the track "dreamy". [18] [19] Rolling Stone 's Rob Sheffield described "Wish List" as a "beautifully candid love song" and opined that the line, "Please God bring me a best friend who I think is hot", as Swift's version of Joni Mitchell's lyric, send me somebody who's strong and somewhat sincere." [20] Alan Light of Esquire considered the track "pleasant but minor". [21]

Several critics took issue the lyrics about wanting to settle down and having children, interpreting them as Swift's embodying and promoting the "tradwife" idea. [22] [23] Several journalists, as well as the actress Ruby Rose, defended Swift and criticized this discourse as ridiculous or point-missing. [24] [25] [26] In their ranking of 101 moments of 2025, Pitchfork assigned the lyric "I got the whole block looking like you" a 3.4 score. [27]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of The Life of a Showgirl. [7]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance
Chart (2025)Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100) [28] 56
Australia (ARIA) [29] 9
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100) [30] 47
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [31] 9
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100) [32] 27
Denmark (Tracklisten) [33] 17
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [34] 34
France (SNEP) [35] 56
Germany (GfK) [36] 57
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [37] 7
Greece International (IFPI) [38] 8
Hong Kong ( Billboard ) [39] 20
Iceland (Tónlistinn) [40] 14
India International (IMI) [41] 9
Italy (FIMI) [42] 79
Latvia Streaming (LaIPA) [43] 11
Lithuania (AGATA) [44] 31
Luxembourg ( Billboard ) [45] 11
Malaysia ( Billboard ) [46] 13
Malaysia International (RIM) [47] 15
Middle East and North Africa (IFPI) [48] 19
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [49] 10
Norway (IFPI Norge) [50] 18
Philippines (IFPI) [51] 8
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100) [52] 6
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) [53] 46
Portugal (AFP) [54] 9
Singapore (RIAS) [55] 7
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100) [56] 46
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [57] 26
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [58] 13
United Arab Emirates (IFPI) [59] 8
UK Singles Sales (OCC) [60] 92
UK Streaming (OCC) [61] 12
UK Video Streaming (OCC) [62] 31
US Billboard Hot 100 [63] 6
US Adult Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [64] 33
US Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [65] 39

Certifications

Certifications
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [66] Gold35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [67] Platinum80,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 Mier, Tomás (August 13, 2025). "Taylor Swift Made The Life of a Showgirl While on the Eras Tour" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on August 14, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  2. ↑ Sisario, Ben (October 2, 2025). "Taylor Swift Conquered With the Eras Tour. Now Comes the Victory Lap" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  3. ↑ Madani, Doha (August 14, 2025). "The Life of a Showgirl era: What we know so far about Taylor Swift's new album". NBC News . Archived from the original on August 13, 2025. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  4. ↑ Jeyaretnam, Miranda (August 14, 2025). "Everything We Know So Far About Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl" . Time . Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  5. ↑ Bonner, Mehera (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift Explains Why 'Wish List' Is Her Favorite Song on TLOAS and Details Its Real Meaning". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Wilson, Hope (October 7, 2025). "Taylor Swift explains meaning behind 'Wish List' on The Life of a Showgirl". Heart . Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Anon. (2025). The Life of a Showgirl (booklet). Taylor Swift. Republic Records.
  8. ↑ Hodgkinson, Will (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl review — sound of a megastar in love" . The Times . Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ Bagdady, Mariam (October 7, 2025). "The Life of a Showgirl Is Taylor Swift at Her Most Ambitious – And Most Underwhelming". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  10. ↑ McIntyre, Sarah (October 4, 2025). "Taylor Swift's The Life Of A Showgirl is an utterly joyful ode to love". RTÉ . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  11. ↑ Powers, Ann (October 3, 2025). "On The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift Feels Love's Glow and the Spotlight's Glare". NPR. Archived from the original on October 3, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
  12. ↑ Wood, Mikael (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl is an immaculate act of damage control" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  13. ↑ Sherman, Maria (October 3, 2025). "Music Review: On Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl, love and reputation are on the line". Associated Press . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  14. ↑ Bonner, Mehera (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift Rejects Fame for Travis Kelce and Kids in Revealing 'Wi$h Li$t' Lyrics". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  15. ↑ Bailey, Alyssa (October 4, 2025). "Taylor Swift's 'Wi$h Li$t' Lyrics Detail the Future She Wants With Travis Kelce—Kids and All". Elle . Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  16. ↑ Empire, Kitty (October 3, 2025). "Is Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl her happiest album yet?". The Observer . Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  17. ↑ Brockington, Ariana (October 8, 2025). "What's On Taylor Swift's 'Wi$h Li$t'? Lyrics, Explained". Today . Retrieved October 8, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Taylor Swift Keeps Getting Bigger. Can the Music Keep Up?". October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  19. ↑ Gaca, Anna (October 6, 2025). "Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  20. ↑ Sheffield, Rob (October 6, 2025). "'Wi$h Li$t' (2025)". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  21. ↑ Alan, Light (October 6, 2025). "The Curious, Wildly Uneven Case of Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl". Esquire . Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  22. ↑ "The 15 worst albums of 2025". Paste . December 26, 2025. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  23. ↑ Kheraj, Alim (October 3, 2025). "Taylor Swift has lost her grip with The Life of a Showgirl". Dazed . Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  24. ↑ Hesse, Monica (October 7, 2025). "Is Taylor Swift a tradwife?". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  25. ↑ McNeal, Stephanie (October 7, 2025). "Why Calling Taylor Swift a Trad Wife Is Missing the Point". Glamour . Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  26. ↑ Dailey, Hannah (October 14, 2025). "Ruby Rose Slams 'Incredibly Stupid' Criticism of Taylor Swift's 'Trad Wife' Lyrics on Showgirl: 'Stop It'". Billboard . Retrieved January 7, 2026.
  27. ↑ "101 Things That Happened in 2025, Ranked on the Pitchfork Scale". Pitchfork . December 18, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  28. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Taylor Swift. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Wi$h Li$t". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2025.
  32. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Wi$h Li$t". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Taylor-Swift: Wi$h Li$t" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Top Singles (Week 41, 2025)" (in French). SNEP . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Wi$h Li$t" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Official IFPI Charts − Digital Singles Chart (International) − Εβδομάδα: 41/2025" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hong Kong Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  40. ↑ "Tónlistinn – Lög: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 41. Birt 11. október 2025 – Næst uppfært 18. október 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  41. ↑ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 13th October 2025 | Week 41 of 52". IMIcharts. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  42. ↑ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 41 (dal 03.10.2025 al 09.10.2025)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Teilore Svifta plūc mūzikas topu uzvaras laurus arī Latvijā" [Taylor Swift also tops the music charts in Latvia] (in Latvian). TV Net  [ lv ]. October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  44. ↑ "2025 41-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. October 10, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  47. ↑ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 41 (03/10/2025-09/10/2025)". RIM. October 18, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025– via Facebook.
  48. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 41, 2025 – 03/10 to 09/10/2025". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2025 and week 41 to view peak.). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. October 17, 2025. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Singel 2025 uke 41". IFPI Norge . Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  51. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 10/03/2025 to 10/09/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 14, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 41]
  52. ↑ "Billboard Philippines Hot 100 (Week of October 18, 2025)". Billboard Philippines . Archived from the original on October 15, 2025. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  53. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 03.10.2025–09.10.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS . Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  54. ↑ "Top 200 Singles Semana 41 de 2025" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  55. ↑ "The Official Singapore Charts Week 41 (3 - 9 Oct 2025)". RIAS. Archived from the original on October 14, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  56. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2025 in the date selector. Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  57. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Wi$h Li$t" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  58. ↑ "Taylor Swift – Wi$h Li$t". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  59. ↑ "The Official MENA Chart | Weekly Chart – Week 41, 2025 – 03/10 to 09/10/2025". The Official MENA Chart (Select year 2025, week 41 and UAE chart to view peak.). Retrieved October 16, 2025.
  60. ↑ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  61. ↑ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  62. ↑ "Official Video Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 13, 2025.
  63. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  64. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  65. ↑ "Taylor Swift Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  66. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  67. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Taylor Swift – Wi$h Li$t". Music Canada . Retrieved December 18, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.