Splitting a ‘Wishbone’

‘Wishbone,’ an album that developed on a bedroom floor, has morphed into a top album for 2025, surpassing over 100 million streams. Conan Gray, the authentic bedroom pop artist that wrote these lyrics, illustrates the beautiful agony behind loving somebody entirely and overcoming heartbreak.

After surprising his fans with a debut single, ‘This Song,’ on May 20, interest sparked in Conan Gray’s love story between fictional characters Wilson and Brando. ‘This Song’ can be heard as a typical love song, but Gray illustrates a deeper devotion– yearning for somebody’s love through deep lyrics. 

Gray also alludes to additional ‘Wishbone’ songs in ‘This Song,’ including ‘11:11’ and ‘Vodka Cranberry.’ ‘Vodka Cranberry’ debuted as his second single on July 11, shifting Wilson and Brando’s fantasy into a broken relationship that is slowly collapsing. The song explores the themes of accepting the downfall of something beyond repair and the pain that accompanies heartbreak. 

Consistent with many of Gray’s other albums, including ‘Kid Krow’ and follow-up album ‘Superache,’ ‘Wishbone’ is a combination of songs about heartache, healing, and the raw emotions involving love. His album title, ‘Wishbone,’ serves as a symbol to his fate regarding relationships, when Wilson wishes for his future with Brando with myths such as “wishbones and clovers and numbers from Heaven / Shapes in the stars to invent our connection.” 

Only wishing could go so far because the relationship between Wilson and Brando inevitably crumbles and his yearning morphs into bitterness. Gray introduces his fans to his third single, also the eighth track of ‘Wishbone,’ called ‘Caramel’ that perfectly captures the feeling of resentment for an ex-lover, while also missing them entirely. 

Reflecting on all of the negatives that drove Wilson insane, he also admits to the fact that Brando doesn’t leave his mind and is someone he can’t forget. Gray harps on the “nights with your friends around, ignoring me so they won’t find out / And no one believed me, you gaslighted feelings,” but also recognizes how Brando is a “Sweet taste in my mouth / I can’t get it out / I want you back now and we’re making out.” The lyrics hold strong, raw emotion that listeners can find comfort within and relate to in their lives. 

Bringing that unrestrained feeling to a live stage has impacted many of his fan’s lives. His ‘Wishbone’ tour kicking off on September 11 in 19 cities is drawing many of his 26 million listeners on Spotify. Conan Gray’s sales from his tour has proved ‘Wishbone’ to be a huge success and a popular album throughout all of media.