Mark Ledlin is swinging for the fences again. His new single “Wish I Was,” out now via XOXO Entertainment Corp./Believe, is more than a summer anthem—it’s a working-class dream set to a driving country-rock beat, penned by a man who traded his pro hockey gear for a guitar and never looked back.
Written by Ledlin alongside powerhouse collaborators Dan Botch, Garrett Ward, and David Borys, guaranteed Song of the Summer “Wish I Was” is sure to reach the same success as his breakout hit “Jealous of Jesus” which has amassed 2 million streams across your favourite streaming platforms. “Wish I Was” is the next chapter in a story that’s inspiring fans from coast to coast.
“I’ve always had these massive dreams—whether it’s music, sports, or just building something cool,” says Ledlin. “This one’s for anyone who’s sat there thinking ‘man, that’d be cool to have’ and decided to make it happen.”
The song was born on the water—literally. While vacationing with his girlfriend’s family in Bamfield, BC, the song took shape between fishing trips and life advice. “My father-in-law was putting fish on ice and dropping wisdom at the same time,” he says. “That ended up right in the lyrics. It’s all real.”
With guitar in hand and work boots on, Ledlin wrote “Wish I Was” for the dreamers building their lives one swing of the hammer at a time. “From second jobs to second verses, this is where real life meets country soul,” he says. “A blue-collar anthem for anyone grinding until there’s no more ‘wish I was’ left.”
Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/49NbdrkcFCdERnptZ1M17c?si=362e6fcf84674e9b&nd=1&dlsi=b0b20c1dc39e4014
Produced by Ledlin, Dan Botch, and Garrett Ward, the song showcases a rock-solid connection between artist and team. “The vibe was already in my head when we stepped into the studio,” says Ledlin. “Once we found the right chords, it just clicked. Like a lightbulb moment.”
The release continues a meteoric rise for Ledlin, who retired from pro hockey to chase his musical passion full-time. “I may still work 40+ hours a week, but music makes me a richer man than any number in my bank account,” he says.
With lyrics that dig deep and a melody built for late nights and long drives, “Wish I Was” captures the essence of Ledlin’s approach to songwriting: honest, driven, and rooted in experience. “I didn’t sing four years ago,” he adds. “Now I sing for thousands. Free will is beautiful—because there’s a million ways to your dream. You just have to wish it enough to get moving.”
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