Wish by Beyond: A Forgotten Pop Gem That Still Hits Right
Let me tell you, Wish by Beyond isn’t your typical 1982 pop album. It’s got this raw charm that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Released in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia under Radioactive Records and Junction, it’s one of those albums that feels like finding an old mixtape at the back of a drawer—dusty but full of surprises.
First off, big props to Don Gould and Steve Elson for wearing so many hats here—they wrote, produced, and arranged the whole thing. You can hear their fingerprints all over the tracks, which gives the record this cohesive feel despite its simplicity. And while there are only two songs officially credited (Live To Love Another Day and Wish), they’re enough to make you sit up and take notice.
Now let’s talk about “Live To Love Another Day.” Oh man, this track just gets me every time. It's got this bittersweet vibe that hits different depending on what kinda mood you're in. One day it feels hopeful, like someone patting you on the back saying, "Hey, tomorrow might actually suck less." But then other times, it's almost painfully nostalgic, like remembering summers spent chasing something you could never quite catch. The melody is simple yet sticky—it lingers long after the song ends, kind of like the smell of rain on hot pavement. I dunno how Don and Steve pulled it off, but it works.
Then there’s “Wish,” the title track, which honestly feels like the emotional core of the whole album. If “Live To Love Another Day” is about survival, this one’s about longing. There’s a certain ache in the lyrics that makes you wanna stare out a window while pretending life’s not passing you by. The arrangement has these little flourishes that build without overwhelming—it’s subtle, but damn if it doesn’t punch you right in the gut. Every time I listen to it, I find myself thinking about missed chances and roads not taken. Not bad for a couple minutes of music, huh?
What strikes me most about Wish is how unpolished it feels compared to today’s hyper-produced pop stuff. Back then, albums didn’t need layers of autotune or flashy beats to connect with people. This was real, straight-from-the-heart music made by folks who clearly loved what they were doing. It reminds me of why we fall in love with music in the first place—not because it’s perfect, but because it feels alive.
Funny thing though—as much as I dig this album now, I bet most people reading this have never even heard of Beyond. Maybe that’s okay. Some things are better left as hidden treasures, waiting for the right ears to stumble across them decades later. Or maybe I’m just romanticizing the past again. Either way, give Wish a spin if you ever get the chance. Who knows? It might end up being exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
