A Review of All the Songs on the ‘Wicked: For Good’ Soundtrack

After almost exactly a year, Wicked: For Good has finally hit theaters, and Us is celebrating with a deep dive of its soundtrack! Containing a total of 11 songs with a run time of 44 minutes, Wicked: For Good – The Soundtrack includes two brand-new tracks written by the musical’s original composer, Stephen Schwartz.

As a quick refresher, Wicked left off with the reveal that the Wizard of Oz was, in fact, a con man, who used his influence to turn Oz against Elphaba. The sequel is set to follow her relationship with Glinda and her story as she faces the truth about her relationships and who she truly is as an individual. Keep scrolling to see our thoughts on Wicked: For Good – The Soundtrack.

Warning: Spoilers Below for Wicked: For Good.

‘Every Day More Wicked’

Serving as the opening track to Wicked: For Good, “Every Day More Wicked” opens on a strong note, with a robust orchestra ushering in a choir. The soundtrack starts with the people of Oz speaking ill of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now known as the Wicked Witch of the West following the events at the end of Wicked. Throughout the song, the people of Oz cry out, “Save us from the Wicked,” a claim cosigned by Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), headmistress of Shiz University. The instrumental then shifts into something more hopeful as Elphaba sings of her determination to reveal the truth about the Wizard of Oz. Glinda (Ariana Grande) also makes a brief appearance after the people call on her for help. The song serves as the perfect reintroduction to the film’s main players, and it beautifully sets the stage for the adventure ahead.

‘Thank Goodness / I Couldn’t Be Happier’

Glinda’s story is the first to take center stage in the movie with “Thank Goodness / I Couldn’t Be Happier.” The song is hopeful and boasts an air of ignorant bliss — Glinda’s engagement to Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) is announced to the public, unbeknownst to him. Despite this, Glinda parades on, eventually developing a more dejected tone as she realizes that much of her happiness and success is a facade — one she’s fooled even herself with. Later joined in her singing by the people of Oz, Grande’s falsetto is on full display, skillfully closing out the song.

‘No Place Like Home’

The first of two new additions to the Wicked soundtrack, “No Place Like Home” is a solo by Elphaba, who in her solace has begun to reflect on her desire to return to Oz. The song was composed by the musical’s original composer, Stephen Schwartz, and begins with a motif from “No One Mourns the Wicked,” a song that speaks to Elphaba’s continued exile. It’s no secret that musicals demand a heightened level of expression, and, being a seasoned professional, Erivo is able to beautifully convey her character’s conflicting emotions throughout this downtempo track.

‘The Wicked Witch of the East’

“The Wicked Witch of the East” begins to introduce listeners to some of Oz’s classic characters. Led by Nessarose (Melissa Bode), Elphaba’s sister, this song details her transformation into its titular character. Stuck chasing after Boq (Ethan Slater), a munchkin student at Shiz University who doesn’t reciprocate her feelings, she soon grows bitter. Thus, her transformation occurs and the song escalates as she leans into her anger, accented by tender vocals from Bode.

‘Wonderful’

Fronted by the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) himself, his first appearance in Wicked: For Good is marked by a song in which he boasts of his deception. A jaunty piano melody propels the song along as the Wizard is joined by Glinda, who seems to entertain his antics for the time being. Even when confronted, the Wizard is unabashedly prideful as he sings, “The truth is not a thing of fact or reason, the truth is just what everyone agrees on.” It seems he and Glinda are attempting to influence Elphaba to work together, but she remains set in her beliefs and unwilling to trust the Wizard of Oz. Even so, Goldblum and Grande continue on with their jazzy duet, which may not sway Erivo’s character but is sure to sway listeners!

‘I’m Not That Girl (Reprise)’

Acting as the only reprise on the soundtrack, “I’m Not That Girl (Reprise)” is a brief reflection of Glinda’s journey thus far and a very intentional revisiting of the previous film. In the Wicked soundtrack, Elphaba originally sings “I’m Not That Girl,” in which she speaks of her jealousy towards Glinda and everyone’s love for her. In the reprise, however, the Good Witch is honest with both herself and listeners as she comes to terms with the fact that she is not who people believe her to be. Overall, this track feels more necessary to the film’s story line than its soundtrack, but contains strong thematic elements that help to progress the plot.

‘As Long As You’re Mine’

“As Long As You’re Mine” holds an air of romance and rebellion as Elphaba and Prince Fiyero sing of their desire for one another. A tense introduction to the song evolves into layers of strings and synths as the two belt in unison: “There’s no future for us as a pair / And though I may know, I don’t care.” Though Fiyero was announced to be engaged to Glinda, it’s clear his heart is drawn to the Wicked Witch and it leaves people wondering exactly how this will play out as the story nears its climax.

‘No Good Deed’

An epic opening ushers in Elphaba desperately casting a spell, questioning the whereabouts of Fiyero and blaming herself for his seeming disappearance. As she grows increasingly frustrated, steady drums back Erivo’s powerful vocals as she sings: “No good deed goes unpunished, no act of charity goes unresented.” Accompanied by frantic strings and electric guitar riffs, “No Good Deed” is undoubtedly a major part of Elphaba’s character development as she struggles to know who she really is — will she continue to act out of the kindness of her heart or turn into who everyone says she truly is?

‘March of the Witch Hunters’

A short but candid admission from the people of Oz, they bring their voices together to order the death of Elphaba, who they believe has caused them unreconcilable harm. In this track, listeners learn about the creation of yet another classic Oz character, the Tinman (Ethan Slater), as well as the Cowardly Lion (Coleman Domingo). Chanting layered over a robust harmony closes out the song, which is rampant with both unrestrained passion and pure rage.

‘The Girl in the Bubble’

The second new addition to the Wicked: For Good soundtrack, Grande’s voice is a perfect fit for the dreamy melody that’s heard throughout its duration. It quickly becomes clear that the title serves as a double entendre, both referring to Glinda’s most well known power, as well as her isolation from the outside world and potentially her own desires. It’s the first time she takes a deeper look at her role in this story, with the melody fully contrasting the melancholic message. As she woefully admits, “For the girl in the bubble … it’s time for her bubble to pop,” Grande’s range is on full display as the song nears a close.

‘For Good’

“For Good” is a duet between Elphaba and Glinda that is a strong ending to the film’s soundtrack. Though it doesn’t fully allude to how things turned out, it does include a motif from “Defying Gravity,” the duo’s most iconic duet. They each share tender confessions with the other, with Elphaba admitting that her story has been rewritten by Glinda simply by being her friend, and Glinda modestly acknowledging that she has finally been changed for good. Erivo and Grande are well suited for the harmonies they deliver as the song progresses, leaving listeners to reflect both on the relationship between their characters and, ultimately, how their story ends.

Wicked: For Good is now in theaters.