Wicked: For Good – Ranking Every Song in the Soundtrack

Spoilers ahead. The album itself contains heavy spoilers if you haven’t seen the movie. 

The wait is over. The Wicked Witch of the West (played by powerhouse Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda the Good Witch (brought to you by popstar Ariana Grande) are back on the big screen for the second installment of Wicked.

If you live under a rock (or in a bubble), Wicked is the cinematic adaptation of one of this century’s biggest Broadway blockbusters. The musical itself is based on a novel by Gregory Maguire. It follows the life of Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, and features music by Stephen Schwartz.

The movie soundtrack of the second film, Wicked: For Good (based on the second act of the Broadway show) is a blessing for both theatre kids and Arianators. It includes beloved showtunes, Erivo’s out-of-this-world vocals, and performances by Grande that make her worthy of an Oscar nomination.

Here’s a ranking of every song in the Wicked: For Good soundtrack:

11. I’m Not That Girl (Reprise)

This is a short but effectively heartbreaking tune performed by Glinda. Fans from the Broadway musical are disappointed by the fact they didn’t keep the eargasmic effect of the bittersweet transition between this song and “As Long As You’re Mine.” Instead, we got an unnecessary extended instrumental of the song as we hear Ariana sobbing.

10. March of the Witch Hunters

This is Ethan Slater’s time to shine, literally. He plays Boq, who later turns into the Tin Man. Here, we hear a different side of his voice that we’re not used to. He sounds less like Spongebob Squarepants (a role he originated on Broadway), and instead we hear a mature angered man willing to cut a bitch in order to get his heart back. While the song is very similar to its Broadway counterpart, it’s a missed opportunity not to give any lines to the Cowardly Lion, voiced by Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo.

9. Every Day More Wicked

The opening number places us back in the land of Oz, years after the events of the first film. It’s mostly inspired by the reprise of “No One Mourns the Wicked” from the stage show. But it expands on some musical themes, like Elphaba’s “The Wizard and I” (and Erivo immediately reminds us who’s the boss), and some nods to “What Is This Feeling” (and the viral dance) and “Popular”, with brief vocals by Ariana Grande.

Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible (flip it around, Wicked Witch!), is actually the first soloist in the album, which some may find horrendible. And while she’s a scene stealer, her vocals here leave a lot to be desired. This wasn’t the case in the previous film, where she sang in a lower key that fit her vocal range.

8. The Wicked Witch of the East

This song was actually one that theatre kids were most curious about, since there has never been an official recording until now. (Allegedly the song contained too many spoilers to be included in the Broadway album, but don’t they all?). Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose/The Wicked Witch of the East, finally has the opportunity to showcase her singing skills. And she has us floating with delight, like she literally does in the film scene.

The song, and scene, were modified from the stage version. In the show, Nessa wants to be able to walk, but here, her motivations have changed, at Bode’s request. Bode is a wheelchair user, like her character. Now Nessa just wants to be with Boq. She wants to feel like she’s floating on air, like Boq made her feel at the Ozdust Ballroom (in the first film).

7. Wonderful

Jeff Goldblum leads this number, as he reprises his role as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This is a ragtime-infused number with classical musical comedy energy. Think of Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, or Bing Crosby. But the ruler of Emerald City is not alone. One of the biggest changes in this adaptation is that Glinda joins the Wizard and Elphaba for this song.

6. No Place Like Home

This is one of the two brand new songs written for the film. While storywise, the song could’ve been easily replaced by dialogue, Erivo’s interpretation makes “No Place Like Home” a quintessential 2025 showtune.

The Wicked films include tons of references to the 1939 Wizard of Oz movie, and this song is no exception. The title itself refers to the phrase that Dorothy chants while clicking the ruby slippers’ heels. But this track contains a musical reference to another film. Right after the first chorus, the orchestration that accompanies Elphaba is clearly a homage to “What Would I Do If I Could Feel”, a song from The Wiz, the R&B-infused adaptation of The Wizard of Oz.

5. The Girl in the Bubble

Ariana Grande performs the second original song. Besides her short reprise of “I’m Not That Girl”, this is her only soliloquy. Most of her songs are either a part of a speech, a dialogue or a monologue. But now we get to hear what’s happening in her head. This song shows Glinda’s change of heart, and how she decides to save Elphaba after their cat fight.

This is Grande like you’ve never heard her before, emotionally naked and raw, in a performance that is likely going to give her an Oscar nomination. It wouldn’t be surprising if the song, too, gets a nod for “Best Original Song”.

4. Thank Goodness/I Couldn’t Be Happier

This is mostly a Glinda solo. Madame Morrible’s verses from the stage musical have been heavily reduced (thank goodness).  Now, it focuses on Glinda, as a public figure, trying to hide her own insecurities to make her “fellow Ozians” feel happy and safe. Here, Grande brings that bubblegum pop color in her voice and blends it with classical musical theatre singing technique, in a way only she could make it work.

3. As Long As You’re Mine

This lustful duet between Erivo and Jonathan Bailey (who plays Prince Fiyero) is one of the highlights of this album. The orchestration takes it to the next level with a percussion that gives a sense of anticipation, like a heart that beats too fast. Their voices blend perfectly together, but Fiyero is the big surprise in this song. Bailey has an impressive control of his vocal technique. He’s smoothly mixing his vocal register and makes it sound so easy. Some of us left that movie theater talking about how the way he pronounces “different” with his British accent made us feel.

2. No Good Deed

Elphaba may be limited, but Cynthia Erivo’s voice has no limits, and in this track she unleashes all her vocal power. For this sequence, Elphie casts a spell at the Kiamo Ko floating castle as she takes us on an emotional journey. Desperation possesses the green witch as she tries to fix all the wrong she’s caused. By the end, she has accepted her faith and there is no turning back.

Like most of the songs from the film, this was recorded live on set, giving it the vulnerability it requires, like when her voice beautifully cracks when she cries “ever again.”

1. For Good

The awaited title song of Wicked: For Good is a satisfying ending for this album. Unlike the original Broadway cast recording version, this one includes a few more spoken words and an extended instrumental score. So the actual song starts almost two minutes in. But it’s worth the wait. Anything in Erivo’s voice sounds better. And Grande makes sure not to leave a single dry eye in the house.

Of course, most of the merit goes to Stephen Schwartz and his incredible songwriting, and some choices he made in the song. For example, how Elphaba and Glinda switch roles, having Elphaba sing the high harmony while Glinda belts in her lower register. Because they have changed each other for good, and their friendship has made them learn something from one another. 

As much as we love to see two divas feuding, this friendship anthem proves that there’s nothing more powerful than two women coming together and supporting each other.

Listen to the Wicked: For Good Soundtrack

Or order the Amazon Exclusive Vinyl