"I Wish" is an original composition by vocalist, composer, and arranger Michael Mayo, released on his 2024 album Fly on Artistry Music / Mack Avenue Records. A wistful jazz vocal tune, it explores themes of self-consciousness and anxiety through heartfelt, introspective lyrics. The melody unfolds over a popping piano groove with a snapping snare backbeat, building from elastic piano vamps into fuller arrangements that incorporate hand claps, layered vocal harmonies, and a slithering synth solo, evoking a modern soul-jazz sensibility. The groove collapses and rebuilds dynamically throughout the piece, creating a sense of emotional ebb and flow. Mayo wrote the tune as one of five originals on Fly, his second studio album following his debut Bones (2021). The album was recorded in January 2024 over just two days at Fly Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, with a quartet featuring Shai Maestro on piano, Linda May Han Oh on upright bass, and Nate Smith on drums. Mayo's vocal style draws on influences ranging from Al Jarreau and Stevie Wonder to modern jazz figures, blending heavenly harmonizing, beatboxing, and soulful songwriting. Official sheet music is available for the composition, confirming its status as a fully notated piece for voice and ensemble. As a recent original rather than a covered standard, the tune remains primarily associated with Mayo's own recording.
