The Wishing Chair is the first major-label album by American alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs, released in 1985 by Elektra Records.



Recorded in London, the album did not achieve the commercial success some of their later releases would receive, but received mostly favorable reviews and brought the band more visibility than had their previous independent releases. A live concert video of "Scorpio Rising" was produced and received a moderate amount of airplay on MTV.


Side A
"Can't Ignore the Train" – 2:43
"Just as the Tide Was A Flowing" (Music: traditional; Lyrics: arranged by 10,000 Maniacs) – 2:25
"Scorpio Rising" (Music: Robert Buck, Lombardo; Lyrics: Merchant) – 3:06
"Lilydale" (Music: Buck; Lyrics: Merchant) – 3:11
"Maddox Table" (Music & lyrics: Merchant) – 3:19
"Everyone a Puzzle Lover" – 3:17



Side B
"Arbor Day" (Music & lyrics: Merchant) – 2:59
"Back o' the Moon" (Music: Dennis Drew; Lyrics: Merchant) – 3:32
"Tension Makes a Tangle" – 3:33
"Among the Americans" (Music: Buck, Drew; Lyrics: Merchant) – 3:07
"Grey Victory" (Music: Lombardo, Buck; Lyrics: Merchant) – 3:07
"Cotton Alley" – 3:23
"My Mother the War" (Music: Lombardo; Lyrics: Merchant, Michael Walsh) – 3:31