Wish You Were Here

When we began to break down the song Wish You Were Here by Incubus, the first thing that stands out is the feeling of living in the moment, of enjoying what is happening now without worrying too much about tomorrow. Guitarist Mike Einziger mentioned that this piece was one of the last to be added to the album Morning View, and that its essence revolves around that idea of being content with the present. Vocalist Brandon Boyd elaborated further, explaining that it wasn't about a specific person, but about recognizing a very specific moment in his life with the other band members while recording. At that precise moment, he felt the desire to have someone by his side to tell them "I love you, friend," someone with whom to share that experience. The song's duration is 3:36.

The story of how the music video for Wish You Were Here was filmed is quite particular. Originally, it was planned to film in August 2001 with director Phil Harder, and Einziger believed they would have it ready in a single day, following the line of their previous works. However, after the tragic events of September 11th, the initial video was discarded as inappropriate. Boyd recounted that they had invested a lot of time, effort, and resources in emulating a scene from The Monkees' film Head, where the protagonists are chased and end up jumping off a bridge. The scene of the jump and the impact in the water, which previously seemed fun to them, became sensitive. A second version was made, released in late September, which showed the band in front of a white background, with a gentle breeze. This alternative version, which received a lot of rotation, combined these images with "home video" style shots recorded by Brett Spivey during the album's production at his Morning View home, capturing moments in the control room, by the pool, and playing golf. By December 2001, this second version reached number eight on MTV's Total Request Live. The album Morning View, released on October 23, 2001, through Epic and Immortal Records, marked a departure from nu metal, exploring sounds ranging from soft rock to hard rock within the alternative style. It was the last album with bassist Alex Katunich. The song Wish You Were Here, along with Nice to Know You, were standout singles from this album, which received critical acclaim and achieved double platinum, becoming the band's best-selling record. The song was also included in the 2009 greatest hits compilation Monuments and Melodies. Wish You Were Here was performed on the Late Show with David Letterman on November 1, 2001. Additionally, after winning the award for Best Modern Rock Single of the Year at the 2001 Billboard Music Awards for the song Drive, Incubus performed it at that same ceremony. The songwriters of the song are Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger, Alex Katunich, Chris Kilmore, and José Pasillas.