Wishing on a Star#Seal version

Included on their second album, In Full Bloom (1977), "Wishing on a Star" is a slow ballad written by former Undisputed Truth member Billie Rae Calvin and produced by Norman Whitfield. It was sung by Gwen Dickey under her stage name. The lyrics concern a woman longing for the return of an ex-lover so that they can resume their relationship. The original version of "Wishing on a Star" peaked at number 52 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.

British DJ and production group Fresh 4 released their cover in September 1989. The group consisted of a group consisting of Paul Southey (Suv), Krust, Judge and Flynn Thompson. It was produced by Smith & Mighty and featured Lizz E, and became the group's only notable UK hit, peaking at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite book

| first= David

| last= Roberts

| year= 2006

| title= British Hit Singles & Albums

| edition= 19th

| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited

| location= London

| isbn= 1-904994-10-5

| page= 215}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Wishing on a Star

| cover = The Cover Girls-Wishing on a Star.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = the Cover Girls

| album = Here It Is

| released = May 1992

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 4:05 (single edit), 4:44 (album version)

| label = Epic Records

| writer = Billie Rae Calvin

| producer = Tony Moran, Andy Marvel

| prev_title = Funk Boutique

| prev_year = 1991

| next_title = Thank You'

| next_year = 1992

}}

The Cover Girls recorded a cover of the song in 1992 for their third album Here It Is. It was the first single featuring new lead singer Michelle Valentine. The group's version peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the 49th biggest single of 1992 in America.{{cite web |url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1992 |title=Billboard Top 100 – 1992 |access-date=2010-07-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708050630/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1992 |archive-date=July 8, 2009 |df=mdy }} While the group had had success in America up to that point, the single was their first single to become a hit when it was released in Europe, peaking at number 6 in the Netherlands and number 38 in the UK.

In Brazil, this version gained popularity after being included in the soap opera De Corpo e Alma soundtrack, being the theme of the character Yasmin Bianchi, who was played by actress Daniella Perez.

The Cover Girls also recorded a Spanish version of the song.

1. "Wishing on a Star (Radio edit)"
2. "Wishing on a Star (Spanish version)"

1. "Wishing on a Star (7-inch version)"
2. "Wishing on a Star (12-inch mix)"
3. "Wishing on a Star (Magic Sessions Dub 1)"
4. "Wishing on a Star (Magic Sessions Vocal Dub)"
5. "Wishing on a Star (Jeep 12-inch)"

A-Side

1. "Wishing on a Star (12-inch Mix)"
2. "Wishing on a Star (Jeep 12-inch)"
3. "Wishing on a Star (Magic Sessions Dub 1)"

B-Side

1. "Wishing on a Star (TNT Dub)"
2. "Wishing on a Star (Amigo Dub)"
3. "Wishing on a Star (Acapella)"

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Wishing on a Star

| cover = Randy Crawford-Wishing on a Star.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Randy Crawford

| album = Every Kind of Mood: Raandy, Randi, Randee

| released = September 1998

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 3:59 (single edit), 4:50 (album version)

| label = WEA

| writer = Billie Rae Calvin

| producer = Mousse T.

| prev_title = Silence

| prev_year = 1998

| next_title = The Captain of Her Heart

| next_year = 1998

}}

American jazz and R&B singer Randy Crawford recorded a cover of the song for her 1998 album Every Kind of Mood: Randy, Randi, Randee. The song was produced by Mousse T., and released as the third single off the album in September 1998.

{{Infobox song

| name = Wishing on a Star

| cover = WishingonaStar.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Jay-Z featuring Gwen Dickey

| album = In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 {{no italics|(UK Edition)}}

| released = March 11, 1998

| recorded = 1997

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 5:54

| label = {{hlist|Roc-A-Fella|Def Jam}}

| writer = {{hlist|Shawn Carter|Billie Ray Calvin}}

| producer = Trackmasters

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Jay-Z

| type = singles

| prev_title = Be Alone No More

| prev_year = 1998

| title = Wishing on a Star

| year = 1998

| next_title = It's Alright

| next_year = 1998

}}

{{Extra chronology

| artist = Gwen Dickey

| type = singles

| prev_title = One Too Many Heartaches

| prev_year = 1996

| title = Wishing on a Star

| year = 1998

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

}}

American rapper Jay-Z covered Wishing on a Star, featuring Gwen Dickey of Rose Royce, in 1998. It was included on the United Kingdom release of In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 and Greatest Hits. The D'Influence remix can be found on Chapter One: Greatest Hits and Bring It On: The Best of Jay Z.

A music video for the song was also released, showing a child actor David Sincere Aiken portraying Jay-Z growing up in Marcy Houses. Jay-Z himself does not appear in the video played by celebrity choreographer David Sincere Aiken .{{YouTube|R6djiumfB9Y|Jay-Z Jay Z Wishing on a star}}.

British magazine Music Week gave the song four out of five, writing, "This cover keeps close to the original with Dickey's vocals leaving Jay Z to add a Nineties feel with his rap. This should prove to be his most successful hit yet."{{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-01-31.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=January 31, 1998|page=10|access-date=September 1, 2023}} Rose Royce's Dickey was also complimented as the "real highlight" of the cover.{{cite magazine|first=|last=|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1998/Music-Week-1998-01-24.pdf|title=Reviews: Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=January 24, 1998|page=27|access-date=September 1, 2023}}

1. "Wishing on a Star (Radio Edit)"
2. "Wishing on a Star (Trackmasters Remix)"
3. "Wishing on a Star (D Influence Remix)"
4. "Brooklyn's Finest"
5. "Wishing on a Star (Trackmasters Acappella)"

;A-Side

1. "Wishing on a Star (D Influence Remix)"
2. "Wishing on a Star (Radio Edit)"

;B-Side

1. "Wishing on a Star (Trackmasters Remix)"
2. "Imaginary Players"
3. "Wishing on a Star (Trackmasters Acappella)"

{{Infobox song

| name = Wishing on a Star

| cover = Beyoncé - Wishing on a Star.jpg

| alt =

| border = yes

| caption = Digital single cover

| type = single

| artist = Beyoncé

| album = Roll Bounce: The Album

| B-side = Naïve

| released = September 2005

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 4:08

| label = {{hlist|Columbia|Music World}}

| writer = Billie Rae Calvin

| producer =

| prev_title = The Closer I Get to You

| prev_year = 2004

| next_title = Check on It

| next_year = 2005

}}

"Wishing on a Star" was covered by American singer Beyoncé for the CD part of her live album Live at Wembley (2004).{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-wembley-mw0000464580 |title=Live at Wembley |publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation |access-date=November 3, 2011 |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602063053/http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-wembley-mw0000464580 |url-status=live }} A writer for AllMusic described Beyoncé's cover as "sexy". The cover was also used to promote the fragrance True Star endorsed by American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger in 2004.{{cite web |url=http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Market-Trends/Hilfiger-believes-Beyonce-is-a-True-Star |title=Hilfiger believes Beyoncé is a True Star |date=June 21, 2004 |publisher=Cosmetics Design |access-date=November 3, 2011 |archive-date=June 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605174609/http://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Market-Trends/Hilfiger-believes-Beyonce-is-a-True-Star |url-status=live }} An a cappella version of the song was recorded by Beyoncé for its television campaign. An extended play (EP), titled True Star: A Private Performance and composed of two songs–"Wishing on a Star" and "Naïve", was released to promote the fragrance. Produced by Beyoncé and Hilfiger, it was solely available with limited edition purchases of True Star.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/True-Star-Performance-Beyonce-Knowles/dp/B00185P5PG |title=True Star: A Private Performance: Beyoncé: Music |website=Amazon |access-date=June 27, 2013 |archive-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527163541/https://www.amazon.com/True-Star-Performance-Beyonce-Knowles/dp/B00185P5PG/ |url-status=live }}

In 2005, "Wishing on a Star" was included on the soundtrack of the film Roll Bounce.{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/roll-bounce-r793613 |title=Roll Bounce – Original Soundtrack |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=November 3, 2011 |archive-date=April 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423135758/http://www.allmusic.com/album/roll-bounce-r793613 |url-status=live }} It was later released for radio airplay as one of three singles from the soundtrack, becoming the second most-added single on urban adult contemporary radio following its release.{{cite journal |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/00s/05/RR-2005-09-09-OCR-Page-0042.pdf |title=Most Added |journal=Radio & Records |date=September 9, 2005 |access-date=March 22, 2014 |page=40 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The song peaked at number 28 on the US Adult R&B Songs chart. At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards (2006), the cover was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2005-12-08-grammy-list-nominations_x.htm |title=Complete list of Grammy Award nominations |work=USA Today |access-date=October 18, 2011 |date=February 8, 2006 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426205746/http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/awards/grammys/2005-12-08-grammy-list-nominations_x.htm |url-status=live }} Six years after its original release, the song was made available for digital download on August 17, 2010.{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/61B8BrF6hFvsNQlbloZJZ5|title=Wishing On a Star – Single by Beyoncé|publisher=Spotify|accessdate=December 14, 2022}}

• ;True Star: A Private Performance

1. "Wishing on a Star" – 4:07
2. "Naïve" – 3:45

• ;Digital download

1. "Wishing on a Star" – 4:08

{{Clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Wishing on a Star

| cover = Seal_-_Wishing_On_A_Star.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Seal

| album = Soul 2

| released = November 8, 2011

| recorded =

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 4:13

| label = {{hlist|Reprise|Warner Bros.}}

| writer = Billie Rae Calvin

| producer = Trevor Horn

| prev_title = Let's Stay Together

| prev_year = 2011

| next_title = Every Time I'm with You

| next_title2= Do You Ever

| next_year = 2015

| misc = {{External music video|header=Licensed audio|1={{YouTube|YUtZ7uF-JyM|"Seal - Wishing On A Star [Audio]"}}}}

}}

In 2011, "Wishing on a Star" was covered by Nigerian-British singer Seal. It was released as the first UK single taken from his album Soul 2 on November 20, 2011. This interpretation of "Wishing on a Star" was produced by previous collaborator, Trevor Horn.

Seal's version of the song premiered on Ken Bruce's BBC Radio 2 show on October 13, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/programmes/schedules/2011/10/13 |title=BBC – Radio 2 – Playlist – Record of the Week |publisher=BBC Radio 2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016194332/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/programmes/schedules/2011/10/13 |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} The single later peaked on the Radio 2 B-list.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/music-events/playlist/ |title=BBC – Radio 2 – Playlist |publisher=BBC Radio 2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101021133/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/music-events/playlist/ |archive-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

In her review for Soul 2, Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian expressed, "His voice and interpretive skills are such, though, that most tracks fit him like a glove, to the point where, on Rose Royce's Wishing on a Star, his oak-aged vocal seems a better fit for the remorseful lyric than original singer Gwen Dickey's. He grew up with these 1970s hits, and evidently reveres them, but isn't cowed by them".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/16/seal-soul-2-review|title=Seal: Soul 2 – review|work=The Guardian|date=November 19, 2011|location=London|first=Caroline|last=Sullivan|access-date=December 18, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307132622/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/16/seal-soul-2-review|url-status=live}} In his review, Mike Diver of the BBC expressed that "Seal has a voice that can melt icecaps has never been doubted by his detractors – the problems with his material post-Seal (II) went deeper, to a basic songwriting level. Here, freed of the weight of his own emotions, he soars on a sublime Wishing on a Star (which manages to borrow its smoky backing from Sade's Smooth Operator).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/jr28|title=BBC – Music – Review of Seal – Soul 2|publisher=BBC|date=November 16, 2011|access-date=February 12, 2018|archive-date=January 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114010915/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/jr28|url-status=live}}

Seal performed "Wishing on a Star" on Daybreak on November 25, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/nsg2k/daybreak--25112011 |title=Daybreak |date=November 25, 2011 |publisher=Radio Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114010916/http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/nsg2k/daybreak--25112011 |archive-date=January 14, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

;Digital download{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wishing-On-A-Star/dp/B0064BLSK0/|title=Wishing on a Star: Seal: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads|publisher=Amazon.co.uk|date=November 19, 2011}}

1. "Wishing on a Star" – 4:13

{{clear}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Wishing on a Star

| cover = WishingStarXFactor.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = The X Factor 2011 finalists featuring JLS and One Direction[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/the-x-factor/news/a349313/one-direction-jls-join-x-factor-charity-single.html "One Direction, JLS join 'X Factor' charity single"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430131844/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/the-x-factor/news/a349313/one-direction-jls-join-x-factor-charity-single.html |date=April 30, 2013 }}. Digital Spy (November 5, 2011).

| album =

| released = November 27, 2011

| recorded = {{unbulleted list|Brighton, England|(Biffco Studios)|London, England|(Metropolis Studios and Rokstone Studios)}}

| studio =

| genre =

| length = 3:23

| label = {{hlist|Syco|Sony}}

| writer = Billie Rae Calvin

| producer = {{hlist|Richard "Biff" Stannard|Ash Howes|Steve Mac}}

| chronology = The X Factor contestants

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = JLS

| type = single

| prev_title = Take a Chance on Me

| prev_year = 2011

| title = Wishing on a Star

| year = 2011

| next_title = Do You Feel What I Feel?

| next_year = 2011

}}{{Extra chronology

| artist = One Direction

| type = singles

| prev_title = Gotta Be You

| prev_year = 2011

| title = Wishing on a Star

| year = 2011

| next_title = One Thing

| next_year = 2012

}}

}}

Wishing on a Star was covered by the finalists of the eighth series of The X Factor, also featuring previous boyband contestants JLS and One Direction. The cover was released on November 27, 2011, via digital download, and released as a physical single the following day. All proceeds from the single went to the children's charity organization Together for Short Lives.[https://archive.today/20130505063135/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23997182-x-factor-hopefuls-wishing-on-a-star-for-charity.do X Factor hopefuls Wishing on a Star for charity]. Evening Standard (October 12, 2011). The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 98,932 copies.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Alan|title=Official Singles Chart analysis: X-Factor Finalists sell just shy of 100k|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1047729&c=1|work=Music Week|access-date=December 5, 2011|date=December 5, 2011|archive-date=December 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208085606/http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1047729&c=1|url-status=live}}

1. "Wishing on a Star" – 3:23
2. "Wishing on a Star (Instrumental)" – 3:23

• Fresh 4 (Children of the Ghetto) ft. Lizz.E, a trip hop version reaching #10 on the UK singles chart in October 1989
• 88.3 ft. Lisa May in 1995, No. 61 UK hit{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/wishing%20on%20a%20star/|title=wishing on a star|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=29 January 2018|archive-date=January 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129080713/http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/wishing%20on%20a%20star/|url-status=live}}
• The song was covered by Anne Dudley as the theme song for the miniseries The 10th Kingdom in 2000.{{cite news |last1=Goodwin |first1=Sara |title=18 Beautiful Pieces of Music From Movies, TV, and Games |url=https://www.themarysue.com/18-of-the-most-beautiful-pieces-of-music-from-movies-tv-and-games/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |work=The Mary Sue |date=12 May 2016 |language=en}}
• In 2004, Paul Weller's version rose to number 11 on the UK charts.

• List of songs recorded by Jay-Z

{{Reflist}}

{{Rose Royce}}

{{Randy Crawford}}

{{Jay-Z songs}}

{{Paul Weller}}

{{Beyoncé songs}}

{{The X Factor (UK)}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wishing On A Star}}

Category:1970s ballads

Category:1977 songs

Category:1978 singles

Category:1989 singles

Category:1992 singles

Category:1998 singles

Category:2004 singles

Category:2010 singles

Category:2011 singles

Category:Soul ballads

Category:Rose Royce songs

Category:The Cover Girls songs

Category:Jay-Z songs

Category:Beyoncé songs

Category:Seal (musician) songs

Category:JLS songs

Category:One Direction songs

Category:The X Factor (British TV series)

Category:Song recordings produced by Norman Whitfield

Category:Song recordings produced by Trevor Horn

Category:Song recordings produced by Trackmasters

Category:Syco Music singles

Category:Reprise Records singles

Category:Warner Records singles

Category:Warner Music Group singles

Category:Epic Records singles

Category:Roc-A-Fella Records singles

Category:Def Jam Recordings singles

Category:Sony Music UK singles

Category:Whitfield Records singles

Category:Fresh 4 songs

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles

Category:Paul Weller songs