David Archuleta Talks About His Song “Wish That You Were Me” from ‘Only Murders In The Building’ and Its Connection to Mabel
Singer David Archuleta recently unveiled the lighthearted inspiration behind his latest song, “Wish That You Were Me.” The track is featured in Season 5 of the Hulu comedy series Only Murders in the Building.
During a performance at UCLA’s Royce Hall, Archuleta was joined by his co-writers, Sophie Rose and Michael Blum. Following Rose’s rendition, complete with a full live orchestra, the trio discussed the song’s significance. In the series, “Wish That You Were Me” is portrayed as the latest hit from the character Thé, played by Beanie Feldstein, a former friend of Mabel’s who has risen to become a pop sensation.
The song’s creation had a high standard, as it aimed to live up to the expectations of the No. 1 most downloaded artist for 13 consecutive weeks.
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L-R: David Archuleta, Sophie Rose, and Michael Blum
Blum described the collaboration: “We were asked to write this song that would catapult Thé to the top of the charts, so of course, we went within the pop zeitgeist in 2025. We went very disco, pop, and funk, and I think it really worked for the song.”
He elaborated, “Writing this kind of song, my pop brain is on, but I think of it like a theater kid because I am a theater kid. So, I think of it kind of like a charm song. This song is meant to add levity to the series and also introduce us to this ridiculous character whose only purpose is to be the bane of Mabel’s existence for the season. It was so fun to write.”
Rose noted that the character’s casting had yet to be confirmed during the song’s development. “We had later heard rumblings about Feldstein’s potential casting, so we sort of had her in mind but not really,” she explained.
Once Feldstein was officially onboard, she tracked the song in New York. “It was the easiest session I’ve done,” Rose said. “It was so lovely working with her. John Hoffman was there as well. It’s really the loveliest show to work on. Everybody is just so amazing.”
Only Murders in the Building centers on three strangers—played by Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—who share a fascination with true crime and unexpectedly find themselves embroiled in a murder investigation within their upscale Upper West Side apartment complex. The show has garnered critical acclaim, receiving 56 Emmy Award nominations across four seasons, with seven wins, including Outstanding Original Music & Lyrics and Outstanding Music Competition for a Series.
