The ‘Wicked: For Good’ soundtrack includes 2 brand new original songs. Here’s what to know.
**Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Shine in “Wicked: For Good”—A New Take on a Beloved Classic**
The highly anticipated film adaptation of Broadway’s renowned musical, “Wicked,” has arrived in theaters, bringing a fresh perspective to the beloved story of Elphaba and Glinda with “Wicked: For Good.” Directed by Jon M. Chu, this sequel to last year’s blockbuster not only adapts the second act of the stage show but also expands it significantly, running for over two hours—more than double the original runtime. This ambitious reimagining allows for deeper storytelling and character development, addressing some of the narrative constraints faced by the live production. Acclaimed composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, who has been integral to the “Wicked” phenomenon, has contributed two new songs specifically for the film, enhancing the emotional landscape of the characters in ways that were previously unexplored.
Among the standout moments is Ariana Grande’s poignant solo, “The Girl in the Bubble,” where she portrays a disillusioned Glinda grappling with the realization that her “beautiful life” is built on lies. This emotional penultimate number captures Glinda’s crisis of conscience, as she confronts the privilege that has insulated her from the harsh realities of her world. Schwartz notes that this song was a long-overdue exploration of Glinda’s internal struggle, emphasizing the importance of addressing moral dilemmas in a more profound manner than the stage version allowed. In contrast, Cynthia Erivo’s “No Place Like Home” serves as Elphaba’s rallying cry, reflecting her determination to fight for a better Oz amidst rising adversity. This new solo not only showcases Erivo’s powerful vocals but also connects deeply with the character’s journey, as she encounters oppressed animals fleeing from the Wizard’s tyranny. The lyrics urge resilience and a sense of belonging, echoing themes from the classic “The Wizard of Oz.”
In addition to the new songs, the film’s soundtrack features updated versions of familiar favorites from the original musical, including “As Long As You’re Mine” and “No Good Deed.” Notably, the opening number, “Every Day More Wicked,” has been enriched with new material to help reacquaint audiences with the characters after a year-long wait. Even the iconic “Wonderful,” performed by Jeff Goldblum, has been reworked to include a part for Grande, showcasing the film’s commitment to blending nostalgia with innovation. Schwartz expressed his excitement about the new music, stating that both newcomers and longtime fans will find much to discover within the soundtrack. “Wicked: For Good” not only aims to captivate a new generation of viewers but also invites devoted fans to experience the story in a fresh, meaningful way, making it a must-see in theaters now.
Ariana Grande as Glinda in “Wicked: For Good.”
Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
“Wicked: For Good” is a film adaptation of the Broadway show’s second act.
The movie and its soundtrack feature two new songs that aren’t from the original musical.
Both are solos: Ariana Grande’s “The Girl in the Bubble” and Cynthia Erivo’s “No Place Like Home.”
Note: Minor spoilers ahead for “Wicked: For Good.”
Even the most loyal fans of
Broadway’s “Wicked”
are in for surprises and unfamiliar tunes when they watch Elphaba and Glinda’s latest turn on the big screen.
”
Wicked: For Good
,” in theaters now, is the sequel to last year’s blockbuster starring
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
. It adapts the second act of the stage show, which typically runs for about an hour.
The film, however, clocks in at two hours and 17 minutes — more than double the original runtime.
When director Jon M. Chu decided to split “Wicked” into two movies, he reimagined the second half to include new scenes for its lead actors. He also enlisted “Wicked” composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz to write brand new songs for the movie — not that Schwartz needed convincing.
Schwartz told
NBC affiliate KGET
that he’s always felt Act II of “Wicked” could have used more storytelling and character development, but the time constraints of a live production meant that many key moments had to happen offstage.
When he signed on as composer, lyricist, and executive producer for
Chu’s big-budget adaptation
, Schwartz already had fresh material in his back pocket.
“We really had a wonderful opportunity to explore aspects of the story and the characters that we weren’t able to in the show,” he said.
“To be perfectly honest, if we didn’t have a length issue with the show, ‘Girl in the Bubble’ probably would have arisen as an idea for the show because it’s an important event in the story,” Schwartz added.
‘The Girl in the Bubble’ is an emotional solo for Glinda
Ariana Grande as Glinda in “Wicked: For Good.”
Lara Cornell/Universal Pictures
One of the movie’s two new songs, “The Girl in the Bubble,” is performed by Grande as a disillusioned Glinda.
It’s the penultimate musical number, and by this point in the story, Glinda is finally coming to grips with her “beautiful life built on lies.” The song title refers to both the literal bubble that Glinda uses for transportation and the privilege that’s kept her popular and protected.
“In this film, Glinda reaches a point of crisis where she just cannot continue to live the way she has been. She has been insulated from what is really going on, cutting off her own morality and sense of decency in order to have the trappings of what she thinks she wants,”
Schwartz told Rolling Stone India
. “Finally, there is a moment where she must confront this, and it felt essential that we take the time to have a song in which to do that.”
Elphaba’s new solo, ‘No Place Like Home,’ explores her complicated relationship with Oz
Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in “Wicked: For Good.”
Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
Erivo performs “No Place Like Home” earlier in the movie, when a still-hopeful Elphaba comes across a group of animals fleeing Oz. They tell her they have no choice but to leave since their species has been demonized by the Wizard, and some have even been kidnapped by his military forces.
The lyrics illustrate Elphaba’s determination to fight for a better future in Oz, even as hate is taking hold.
“When you want to leave, discouraged and resigned / That’s what they want you to do,” she sings. “But think how you’ll grieve for all you’ll leave behind / Oz belongs to you, too.”
“Without giving spoilers about the ending, I will say that the character of Elphaba makes a great sacrifice, and it has to do with giving up something she dearly loves, which is her land Oz,” Schwartz told KGET of the new song. “It was clear that from a storytelling point of view, that was the emotion we wanted to express.”
Schwartz also consulted Erivo during the song’s writing process to make sure the lyrics resonated with her character.
“Before, it was sort of like a grand platitude to everyone, but it needed to really connect with her and her experience as well,”
Erivo told USA Today
. “So there were some lyric shifts and changes just to make it feel really human, because I think in the specificity, it then connects with everybody else as well.”
“No Place Like Home” is a deliberate
callback to “The Wizard of Oz.”
In the classic 1939 film, Dorothy (Judy Garland) returns home to Kansas by clicking the heels of
her magic slippers
and chanting, “There’s no place like home.”
Older songs have also been tweaked and lengthened for the movie
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and Jeff Goldblum perform “Wonderful” in “Wicked: For Good.”
Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
The “Wicked: For Good” soundtrack album, released concurrently with the film, primarily features familiar tunes from the Broadway show, including “As Long As You’re Mine,” “No Good Deed,” and the titular duet.
But even these have been updated with fresh compositions and, in some cases, extra lyrics. The opening number, “Every Day More Wicked,” features new material to reacquaint audiences with key characters. (It’s a little more disorienting to wait a full year to watch Act II, versus a 15-minute intermission.)
The Wizard’s signature song “Wonderful,” performed primarily in the film by Jeff Goldblum, has also been partially rewritten to include a part for Grande.
Notably, “The Wicked Witch of the East,” performed by Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Erivo as Elphaba, is featured on the “Wicked: For Good” soundtrack album at track four. Although a version of the song is performed in the stage production, it was never released as an official recording by the Broadway cast.
“I’m especially happy that the soundtrack album for ‘Wicked: For Good’ has so much new music on it,” Schwartz said in a press release. “So not only listeners coming to the score for the first time, but longtime fans of the original Broadway cast album, will have a great deal to discover.”
“Wicked: For Good” is in theaters now.
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