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Ah, the 90s. A time of dial-up internet, questionable fashion choices, and a soundtrack that still slaps today. Floating at the top of that nostalgic playlist is Skee-Lo's 1995 masterpiece, "I Wish." More than just a song, it's an anthem for underdogs, a hymn for dreamers, and a hilarious confession for anyone who's ever felt like they're just one growth spurt or one winning lottery ticket away from greatness.
The song's core message—"I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller"—is a universally understood cry. It’s for those days you look at your bank account, your car, or your to-do list and just think, "Man, I wish." This article is a tribute to that feeling. We're not just giving you the Skee-Lo "I Wish I Was a Baller" lyrics; we're giving you creative ways to use its timeless vibe to add a little humor and heart to your everyday life.
The Full "I Wish" Lyrics: Your Official Karaoke Cheat Sheet
First things first. You came for the lyrics, and we're here to deliver. Warm up those vocal cords and get ready to nail every single word at your next 90s night.
(Verse 1)
I wish I was a little bit taller
I wish I was a baller
I wish I had a girl who looked good, I would call her
I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat
And a '64 Impala
I wish I was like six-foot-nine
So I can get with Leoshi
'Cause she don't know me but yo, she's really fine
You know I see her all the time, everywhere I go
And even in my dreams, I can scheme a way to make her mine
'Cause I know she's livin' phat
Her boyfriend's tall and he plays for the Nets
But I don't be trip'n, I'm a sober cat
But I'm sittin' on the bench, I'm benched and I ain't gettin' no play
Like a substitute, it's goin' down like that
'Cause I can't get her outta my mind
I think about the girl all the time
East side, West side, sendin' a shout-out
Let's take a ride, y'all, and check it out
(Chorus)
I wish I was a little bit taller
I wish I was a baller
I wish I had a girl who looked good, I would call her
I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat
And a '64 Impala
(Verse 2)
I'm short, y'all, I'm not that tall
I'm really not that tall
So I'm not at all, ever gonna play ball
So I'm sittin' on the wall, on the curb, on the side
I'm just an average, everyday, chillin'-on-the-side guy
Like my man, my main man, Jay, we stay on the same page
We roll on the same court, if you know what I mean, we're on the same stage
But I ain't got no money, I ain't got no car
I ain't got no clout, but I'm on my way
'Cause I got a brand new bag and a brand new rap
And I'm lookin' for a place to play my brand new tracks
You see, it's like that, and that's the way it is
But I'm workin' on a plan, I'm workin' on a plan to get us out of this
(Chorus)
I wish I was a little bit taller
I wish I was a baller
I wish I had a girl who looked good, I would call her
I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat
And a '64 Impala
(Bridge)
Hey, I wish I had a brand new car
So far, I got this hatchback
And everywhere I go, y'all, they point and they laugh
And I can't play ball with the guys
'Cause they all standin' 'bout six-foot-nine
And I'm on the bench, and I'm waitin' for my time
To get a chance to shine, so I'm...
(Chorus)
I wish I was a little bit taller
I wish I was a baller
I wish I had a girl who looked good, I would call her
I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat
And a '64 Impala
"I Wish..." for Your Everyday Struggles
Skee-Lo lamented his height and hatchback. We lament our Wi-Fi speed and overflowing inboxes. Use these messages for when life feels just a *little* too real.
- "I wish my coffee was a little bit stronger, I wish my weekend was a little bit longer."
- "Feeling very 'I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat' about my inbox this morning."
- "I wish my student loans were a little bit smaller, I wish I was a 'not worried about my credit score' caller."
- "My bank account is giving 'I got this hatchback' energy today."
- "Just saw the price of gas. I wish I had a '64 Impala that ran on good vibes."
- "I wish my upstairs neighbors were a little bit quieter. I wish I had a landlord who was a baller."
- "Trying to assemble this IKEA furniture. I wish I had a rabbit in a hat with a bat... and an Allen key."
- "My computer has 17 tabs open and my brain has one. I wish my attention span was a little bit taller."
- "My diet is mostly 'wishing I was a baller' who could afford a personal chef."
90s Nostalgia Instagram Captions
For your throwback photos, vintage finds, or just a general mood. These captions scream "I love the 90s."
- Serving you 90s vibes because I wish I was a baller.
- My attitude is from this century, but my playlist is straight out of '95. #SkeeLo
- Still waiting on that rabbit in a hat with a bat.
- Channeling my inner Skee-Lo. Dreaming big since the dial-up days.
- This outfit has me feeling like I should be rollin' in a '64 Impala.
- "I think about the girl all the time." - Me, about my love for the 90s.
- Just an average, everyday, chillin'-on-the-side guy (with a killer throwback playlist).
- Not six-foot-nine, but feeling pretty fine. #IWish
- My life isn't a 90s music video, but I'm dressing like it is.
Funny "Baller" Birthday Wishes
Wish your friend a happy birthday with a dose of 90s hip-hop realism and humor. Perfect for the friend who gets the reference.
- Happy birthday! I wish you were a little bit richer, I wish you were a gift-giver, I wish you had a brand new car... so you could drive me around in it!
- Hope your birthday is as classic as a '64 Impala. Have a great one!
- Happy birthday to my favorite shot-caller! Don't worry about getting older, just think of it as getting 'taller' in wisdom.
- Another year older! I'd say you're a baller, but we both know we're still in our hatchback era. Happy birthday!
- May your birthday be filled with everything you wish for... or at least a cake and some good tunes.
- Happy birthday! You may not be six-foot-nine, but you're still mighty fine.
- To my favorite person to sit on the curb and dream big with. Happy birthday, you future baller.
- Wishing you a birthday that’s less “substitute on the bench” and more “MVP of the year.”
Messages for When You're Dreaming Big (or Just Daydreaming at Work)
For that Monday morning meeting, a chat with a friend about future goals, or just staring out the window, these messages capture that aspirational spirit.
- Currently in my Skee-Lo era: working on a plan to get us out of this.
- My five-year plan is to go from "I wish I was a baller" to "Yeah, I'm a shot-caller."
- Just sitting here on the bench, waiting for my time to shine.
- Got my brand new bag and my brand new rap. Feeling unstoppable today.
- That moment when you're supposed to be working but you're just scheming a way to get a '64 Impala.
- "I'm on my way." - Me, talking about my career, my laundry, and finally getting around to that email.
- Some days you make big moves. Other days you just wish you were a little bit taller. It’s called balance.
- This whole "adulting" thing is just a long journey of trying to become the baller you wished you were.
Skee-Lo-Inspired Pep Talks for a Friend
When a friend is feeling down, sometimes the best medicine is a little humor, nostalgia, and a reminder that they're awesome, even if they don't feel like a baller right now.
- Hey, I know things feel tough. But remember what Skee-Lo said: "I'm workin' on a plan to get us out of this." We'll figure it out together.
- So you're not six-foot-nine and you don't play for the Nets. Who cares? You're still a superstar to me.
- Don't feel like you're stuck on the bench. You're just waiting for your chance to shine, and it's coming.
- I know you're feeling more hatchback than Impala right now, but you have more drive and style than any fancy car.
- Everyone wishes they were a baller sometimes. But you're already a shot-caller in all the ways that matter. Keep your head up.
- Forget the rabbit in the hat. You've got all the magic you need already.
- Let's be real, even Skee-Lo was just an average, everyday, chillin'-on-the-side guy. And he made a hit song. You got this.
### A Final Thought
The magic of "I Wish" is that it's both a fantasy and a reality. It's about wanting more while finding the humor and hope in where you are right now. So go ahead, pick your favorite message from this list, but don't be afraid to add your own personal touch. Tailor it to your own inside jokes, your own dreams, and your own '64 Impala aspirations. After all, we're all working on a plan.