Wicked: For Goodis the much-anticipated second part of Jon M. Chu’s cinematic Broadway adaptation, and it features a whole new soundtrack of exciting songs.The first trailer forWicked: For Goodhas already teased some of these iconic musical numbers, but audiences will have to wait and see how they play out on the big screen.
The sequelis said to detail the second act of the Broadway production,picking up straight after Elphaba’s departure from the Emerald City.Wicked 2will have some of the musical’s most important songs, matching (and even surpassing) the storytelling grandeur and musical power of numbers like “Defying Gravity” and “The Wizard and I”.
10Thank Goodness
“Thank Goodness” is the opening song of the second act in the Broadway production, and while it’s often sidelined in discussions ofWicked’sbest songs, there’s a lot to enjoy about this number.Sung primarily by Glinda and Madame Morrible, the song explores the aftermath of Glinda’s decision to stay in the Emerald City following Elphaba’s departure.
Much of the second act centers around Glinda’s attempts to rationalize her decision at theend ofWicked: Part One, before ultimately realizing that she’s allowed herself to remain a cog in the Wizard’s authoritarian regime. “Thank Goodness” helps clarifywhyshe made that decision, and foreshadows her eventual character development at the end of the story.
9I’m Not That Girl (Reprise)
“I’m Not That Girl” featured inWicked: Part One, and the Broadway production includes a reprisal of this musical number in its second act. However, what makes this song interesting is thatit’s sung by Glinda the second time around, as she experiences the exact same hatred and self-loathing that Elphaba went through during the song’s initial appearance.
In both forms, “I’m Not That Girl” is sung by Elphaba and Glinda as they realize they’re not the kind of person that Fiyero wants to be with. The way their perspectives shift throughout the story is aclear display ofWicked’s brilliant character work, which sees the two female protagonists slowly morph into reflections of one another.
8Wicked Witch Of The East
The only song from the Broadway production ofWickedthat wasn’t included on the official soundtrack, “The Wicked Witch of the East” is one of the most dialogue-heavy numbers in the show, and details Nessarose’s transformation into the titular witch. After making a grave mistake against someone she loves, Nessarose is horrified by her actions andaccepts her status as the Wicked Witch of the East.
The dynamic between Elphaba and Nessarose was a major part ofWicked: Part One, sothis scene is surely going to play a huge role inFor Good. While the world perceives Elphaba as the “evil” sister and Nessa as the “good” one, this emotional climax affirms that labels cannot be so easily given to such complex figures.
7March Of The Witch Hunters
“March of the Witch Hunters” is one ofWicked’s lesser-known songs, butit marks a crucial turning point in the storythat can’t be avoided inFor Good. This intense ensemble number follows several key figures from the Emerald City as they set out for Elphaba’s hiding place, displaying just how effective the Wizard’s political attack on her reputation has been.
While the most memorablesongs inWickedare typically the ones sung between Elphaba and Glinda, this musical numberdeserves recognition for the sheer scale of the ensembleand the emotional impact of seeing characters like Boq and the Cowardly Lion join the hunt for Elphaba. Watching this scene play out inWicked: For Goodwill surely be one of the sequel’s most cinematic moments.
6Wonderful
Although Elphaba and the Wizard are essentially at war throughoutWicked: For Good, the pair aren’t in the same room very often. The only time they come together in the Broadway production is during “Wonderful”, making it a highly anticipated song.A duet between the two conflicting parties, “Wonderful” is the perfect demonstration of the Wizard’s manipulative and exploitative nature.
The song essentially serves as a backstory for the Wizard, as he explains from his own perspective exactlyhowhe came to be known as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The song serves as a very effective contrast to the background we were given inWicked: Part One, showing how strongly the Wizard’s propaganda has molded the public’s perception of him.
5Elphaba’s New Song
It’s already been announced thattwo original songs will appear inWicked: For Good: one for Elphaba and one for Glinda. While very few details have been revealed about these upcoming musical numbers, the man behind the Broadway production, Stephen Schwarz, has been confirmed as the writer. They will reportedly besolo numbers performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grandealone.
Elphaba’s new song could bring a hugely exciting new dimension to the story, as she’s often sidelined in the show’s second act despite being the main character. This song could offer more insight intoElphaba’s thoughts as the entire realm of Oz seemingly turns against her, reaffirming the idea that she wasneverthe villain of the story.
Additionally, Erivo helped write the song, which should give it an extra personal touch. It’ll likely be a very insightful look into this fascinating character.
4As Long As You’re Mine
Thelove triangle between Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyerois one ofWicked’s most compelling subplots, and Fiyero’s decision to go with Elphaba at the end of the play is a very satisfying one that rewards Elphaba’s sacrifice and condemns Glinda’s acquiescence. “As Long as You’re Mine” is the romantic heart ofWicked’s second act, and does an excellent job of building towards Fiyero’s final decision.
Fiyero is one ofWicked’s most noble characters, and one of the few people who doesn’t turn against Elphaba when the Wizard informs the realm that she’s become a fugitive.Their romance is a clear representation of resistance and unityin the face of oppression, and it will be fascinating to see how Erivo and Bailey approach this key moment.
3Glinda’s New Song
Glinda’s new song is arguably the more exciting of the two original additions toWicked: For Good’s soundtrack, mainly because of just how complex her character arc is in the second act of the show. After choosing to leave her friend behind inWicked’s conclusion,Glinda is overcome by conflicted moralsas she realizes her complicity in the Wizard’s personal attacks against her old friend.
Glinda’s role inWickedis often diluted down to “good” or “bad,” buther character is far less binary than that. This new song will hopefully give audiences an insight into her thoughts after refusing to stand beside Elphaba in resistance to the Wizard, revealing that her choice wasn’t as simple as it seems to viewers.
2No Good Deed
“No Good Deed” serves as a perfect companion piece to “Defying Gravity,” marking the climax of Elphaba’s character arc inWicked: For Good. The two songs are essentially the antithesis of one another; where “Defying Gravity” saw Elphaba filled with hope and determination to bring down the Wizard,“No Good Deed” comes from a place of rage and disappointment.
The song details Elphaba’s failed attempts at being good. She sings about how those who go along with the Wizard’s lies are the ones who are rewarded, whereas her attempts to make the world a better place result in nothing but torment and suffering. It’s a very powerful piece of music that succinctly demonstrates exactly why Elphaba is such a complex and empathetic character.
1For Good
As the song after whichWicked: For Goodis named, it’s hard to disagree that this duet between Elphaba and Glinda is going to be ahugescene in the sequel. The first movie really leaned into the friendship between these characters, and while their relationship certainly turns sour inFor Good,that admiration between them still exists,and it comes out during this song.
There will definitely be somemusical changes inWicked: For Good,but there are also certain moments that the sequelhasto get right. Erivo and Grande are exceptional as Elphaba and Glinda, and this scene needs to encapsulate everything that’s so charming and endearing about their on-screen dynamic inWicked: For Good.
Wicked: For Good
Cast
Wicked: For Good concludes the two-part film adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical.
