Wishing I Was There

On 25 May 1998, RCA Records released "Wishing I Was There" as the third single from Left of the Middle.[1] Prior to this song's release, Imbruglia's first two singles, "Torn" and "Big Mistake" were major chart hits during late 1997 and early 1998. "Wishing I Was There" followed, but was less successful than her first two singles, reaching number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, number 24 in Australia, and number 40 in New Zealand. In Canada, the song reached number five on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart in September 1998, becoming Imbruglia's second hit there after "Torn", which spent 12 weeks at number one between April and July.[2]

In the United States, the song was not allowed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 due to rules in place at the time, but it reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart, where "Torn" had stayed at number one for 11 weeks.[3] It also peaked at number 13 on the Adult Top 40 chart and number 15 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. Elsewhere, the song charted in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, but did not reach the top 50 in any of those countries. In Italy, the song reached number 27.

"Wishing I Was There" is a song with a single version length of three minutes and 52 seconds and an album version of four minutes and 25 seconds.[4][5] The song is set in the key of F major and has a medium tempo – 96 beats per minute – with a piano, guitar and vocal arrangement. Imbruglia is co-credited, with Phil Thornalley and Colin Campsie, for both lyrics and music.[6]

The music video was shot in parts of New York. Towards the end of the video, the now destroyed World Trade Center complex and parts of lower Manhattan are featured.