For nearly two decades, Wicked has cast its magical spell over Broadway fans worldwide.
After much anticipation, this musical masterpiece has finally been adapted into a two-part movie series. The first installment, Wicked, premiered in November 2024, and the almost-three-hour movie left fans awestruck with stunning visuals, heartfelt performances, and a beautiful storyline.
I myself have already watched the movie thrice and my favorite aspect has to be the soundtrack. The vocals are absolutely phenomenal and it’s very clear how much effort went into everything during the creation and production of this movie adaptation.
However, not all Wicked songs are created equal. Some have left me stuck on them for days: adding them to my favorite playlist, singing them in my head and aloud. Others, though nice, did not have the same striking power. In this ranking, we’ll be diving broomstick-first into Wicked’s enchanting soundtrack to see which songs soar the highest and which ones hover just above Munchkinland.
“No One Mourns the Wicked” (9.5/10)
Right off the bat, the movie opens with “No One Mourns the Wicked,” which has phenomenal vocals, rich harmonies, and an addicting score. The song’s orchestral arrangement gave the opening a grand, theatrical feel, setting the tone for the entire story. Although “No One Mourns the Wicked” is considered one song on the soundtrack, it feels more like a combination of multiple, seamlessly flowing together and establishing much of the background for the movie. In my opinion, it was Ariana Grande — renowned singer, songwriter, and actress who portrays Galinda in the movie — that really “made” the song. Her soaring vocals, highlighted by an impressive E6 (the highest note in the entire movie), added an electrifying energy to the performance. When I first watched the movie, her flawless riffs and delivery instantly had me excited for the next two hours. Despite this, I can’t give all the credit to Grande, as my favorite parts of the song must be when the entire ensemble joins together in powerful harmonies, creating a rich, layered sound that feels both grand and immersive. The way their voices harmoniously blend adds emotional depth that truly elevates the song, making it a standout moment in the film.
“Dear Old Shiz” (4.5/10)
“Dear Old Shiz” brings a warm choral sound to the Wicked soundtrack and appears early in the movie, playing as Galinda arrives at Shiz University and first meets Elphaba. The song’s choir-like quality reflects the atmosphere of Shiz University, reinforcing its academic setting. The polished harmonies and formal structure of the song mirror the school’s “elite” status, evoking the feeling of a prestigious institution that values order and perfection. However, I felt like the song didn’t contribute much to the plot. The melody felt simplistic and the song lacked substance, making it one of the less memorable tracks. Compared to the many emotionally charged and narrative-rich songs in the film, “Dear Old Shiz” feels more like a transitional piece that couldn’t stand on its own. Personally, whenever I listen to the soundtrack (which is quite a lot — I love the movie and the songs), I skip over “Dear Old Shiz.” Overall, it doesn’t leave a positive lasting impression, earning it a 4.5/10.
“The Wizard and I” (9/10)
“The Wizard and I” is Elphaba’s first major solo and a defining moment in her character arc. The song perfectly captures her initial optimism and dreams of acceptance. Once again, the song has beautiful vocals and orchestration that blend together to reflect her growing confidence and optimism. This song heavily contributes to Elphaba’s character building, revealing her innermost insecurities, heartaches, and wishes. My favorite part of the song is when Cynthia Erivo, as Elphaba, sings, “My future is unlimited / And I’ve just had a vision almost like a prophecy / I know, it sounds truly crazy / And true, the vision’s hazy / But I swear, someday there’ll be / A celebration throughout Oz / That’s all to do with me!” These lines offer a powerful moment of foreshadowing, layered with Elphaba’s optimism and the audience’s knowledge that the “celebration” she sees is, ironically, in honor of her death. There’s an almost breathless quality to her delivery, emphasizing her desperation and excitement in the belief of a brighter future. This contrast makes the lyrics incredibly bittersweet, as her hopes and dreams are unknowingly predicting her tragic storyline. Despite all of this, the song just isn’t as catchy and iconic as some of the others on this soundtrack, leading me to give it a 9/10. It’s a good song, but compared to the other tracks, it just doesn’t stand out much.
“What is this Feeling?” (10/10)
“What is this Feeling” is one of my favorite songs because of the beautiful blend of Grande’s and Erivo’s voices. Their contrasting tones — Galinda’s bright, crisp soprano and Erivo’s rich, soulful alto — create a stunning harmony that elevates the song’s emotion and energy. The way their voices intertwine is just so mesmerizing, which is why every song in which they harmonize is a 10/10. The song is catchy, upbeat, and hilarious. Seriously, when watching it in the theater, I burst out laughing at Elphaba plainly describing Galinda as “blonde.” Overall, it’s a very expressive song and its quick lyrics, used to describe the loathing between Elphaba and Galinda, quickly became stuck in my head. Not only is this song incredibly addicting, but it also serves an important role in the story, establishing the rocky foundation of Elphaba and Galinda’s relationship while subtly hinting at their growing emotional attachment and bond with each other — both as enemies and later as deep, complicated friends.
“Something Bad” (7.5/10)
While “Something Bad” may not be as theatrical and catchy as some of the standout numbers in Wicked, it is an important song to the storyline that shouldn’t be disregarded. Dr. Dillamond’s quiet warning about the rising discrimination against talking animals creates a chilling moment of realization for both Elphaba and the audience, hinting at larger injustices at play in Oz. This is all reflected by the song’s ominous, suspenseful tone. The song also deserves bonus points for how well Dr. Dillamond’s deeper voice matches the gentle, subdued tone of Elphaba’s. Overall, it’s not a bad song and it’s incredibly significant to the storyline, but it doesn’t compare to the other songs, landing it a rating of 7.5/10.
“Dancing Through Life” (10/10)
“Dancing Through Life,” along with “Popular” and “One Short Day,” is one of the most fun and carefree songs in Wicked, and it certainly deserves a 10/10. I absolutely love it when Fiyero, played by Jonathan Bailey, and Galinda sing together: their voices just blend together so well. The track’s fusion of humor, a catchy melody, and addicting lyrics mask its deeper themes. On the surface, it appears carefree and playful, but the song also touches on the characters’ choices to avoid confronting the complexities and realities of life. The idea of “dancing through life” as a means of avoiding challenges reflects a deeper fear of failure, rejection, and vulnerability — a theme that resonates throughout Wicked. Additionally, Fiyero’s lines, “Dancing through life down at the Ozdust / If only because dust is what we come to / Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters / It’s just life,” add a layer of existential reflection, really deepening the emotional undertone of the song. Without a doubt, this song has earned a 10/10.
“Popular” (8.5/10)
“Popular” stands as one of the most memorable and entertaining numbers of the movie Wicked. Sung by a lively and confident Galinda as she attempts to transform Elphaba into someone more socially accepted at Shiz, this song depicts the clashing personalities of the two characters. Despite their differences, the playful and upbeat melody expresses a unique bonding experience for them. This moment is truly where we see the beginning of their complex friendship, blending humor and warmth in a way that feels both entertaining and endearing. Overall, the catchy tune, upbeat nature of the song, and emotional meaning for Elphie’s and Galinda’s relationship led me to give it a solid 8.5/10.
“I’m Not That Girl” (8/10)
“I’m Not That Girl” stands out as one of the more somber songs in the movie, contrasting perfectly with the rest of the soundtrack. It offers a more quiet and introspective mood, especially when compared to the louder, upbeat, and theatrical songs in the movie. The song beautifully captures Elphaba’s feelings of loneliness and longing, highlighting her internal conflict as she realizes she may never reach others’ expectations of her. It’s a reflective, heartfelt piece that showcases Elphaba’s vulnerability. The almost resigned quality to Elphaba’s delivery reflects her acceptance of being different and not fitting the mold, a powerful moment of self-realization. It’s a very relatable song, as Elphaba compares herself to Galinda, who she perceives as “perfect.” Powerful lines such as, “She who’s winsome, she wins him / Gold hair with a gentle curl / That’s the girl he chose / And Heaven knows / I’m not that girl,” convey Elphaba’s insecurities of not being good enough. The song reflects Elphaba’s feelings for Fiyero and her confidence that he wouldn’t be able to love her for who she is beneath her skin. It’s a lovely piece, but when compared to other songs in the movie, it doesn’t quite reach the same level.
“One Short Day” (8/10)
“One Short Day” is a vibrant and energetic number from Wicked, capturing the excitement and wonder that Elphaba and Galinda share as they explore the Emerald City for the first time. The song serves as a celebration of friendship and discovery, highlighting the bond between the two as they immerse themselves in the city’s splendors. The song is upbeat, catchy, joyful, and hopeful, making it a fun song to listen and sing along to. It reflects the characters’ sense of adventure and the allure of the new and exciting place they found themselves in.
“A Sentimental Man” (6.5/10)
“A Sentimental Man,” despite its elegance, failed to provide much for the plot. The song isn’t significant to any plot point and it doesn’t have any beautiful harmonies or vocal flares like most of the other songs. Along with its irrelevancy, I also found the song to be a bit too slow for my liking and considerably less engaging compared to the rest of the soundtrack. I feel it necessary to point out that Jeff Goldblum, who played the Wizard, has been heavily praised for adding charm and depth to the song, making it more engaging for some viewers. Many say that the Wizard’s impeccable performance of “A Sentimental Man” saved the song from being at the bottom of their ranking. Despite being a fan of Goldblum, I’m, unsurprisingly, not a fan of the Wizard, so this song felt very insincere and fake to me. Ultimately, “A Sentimental Man” isn’t necessarily a bad song, but it’s not one that I particularly enjoy or find necessary to the plot of the movie, leading to it earning a 6.5/10.
“Defying Gravity” (10/10)
It cannot be a surprise that “Defying Gravity” got a 10/10. It’s the emotional and musical powerhouse of Wicked, and for many, it’s the song that defines Elphaba’s character and her journey. The song captures her decision to stop conforming to the expectations and constraints placed upon her and to fully embrace her true self, no matter what others think. It’s about liberation, empowerment, and taking control of her destiny, as she realizes that she has the power to help those in need. The music itself mirrors this soaring sense of freedom, with its powerful orchestration and bold, dramatic build-up. As Elphaba’s vocals climb to new heights, it’s as though the music is lifting her into the sky, matching her newfound strength and determination. This moment of self-empowerment is heightened by the iconic and captivating high notes that Elphaba hits. Once again, I adore the mesmerizing sound of Erivo and Grande singing together. This song marks another stepping stone in their relationship as they accept one another for who they truly are, along with their differing wishes for the future: “I hope you’re happy, my friend.” The lyrics are filled with defiance and courage, such as “It’s time to try defying gravity / And you can’t pull me down!” — a bold declaration that she will no longer allow herself to be confined by others’ perceptions and expectations. The song also encapsulates the emotional culmination of Elphaba’s journey, a pivotal moment where she takes ownership of her power and decides that she will no longer be held back by fear, insecurity, or guilt. Combined, the emotional depth, meaning, harmonies, and ground-shaking vocals of “Defying Gravity” have made it the star of the movie — and the Broadway musical.
“Ozdust Duet” (10/10)
This lyric-free composition stands as a powerful piece that captures a pivotal moment in Elphaba and Galinda’s relationship. In the movie, this orchestral arrangement plays after “Dancing Through Life,” accompanying a critical scene at the Ozdust Ballroom, where Elphaba begins to dance despite everyone’s judgement and Galinda decides to join her, recognizing the impact of her own actions and Elphaba’s courage. Its delicate instrumentals underscore their relationship’s turning point — they went from enemies to understanding friends —, highlighting themes of empathy, friendship, and personal growth. The song resonated with me in countless ways, and I’d definitely consider it one of the more angelic, melodic, and introspective songs in the movie. The song’s ability to convey such profound emotions solely through melodic expression truly made “Ozdust Duet” a standout song on the soundtrack, and I found it deserving of a 10/10.
In conclusion, Wicked’s 2024 film adaptation masterfully brings the beloved musical to the big screen, offering longtime fans and newcomers a fresh perspective on this iconic story. The film’s soundtrack features many exceptional, beautiful numbers. As shown by my rankings, I believe that the movie’s soundtrack is catchy, memorable, and outstanding in all aspects: melody, vocals, and lyrics. Some songs shine brightly, while others, I might skip when listening to the album. However, overwhelmingly, the Wicked songs are truly phenomenal.
