After a year of anticipation, part two of the Wicked movie adaptation, Wicked: For Good, was released on November 21st. While both this movie and its prequel stunned fans with incredible acting, production, and special effects, the real star of the show would have to be the soundtrack. Although it doesn’t contain hits such as “Popular” and “Defying Gravity,” Wicked: For Good manages to hold its own against its predecessor, reimagining the soundtrack of the original musical while adding new songs made specifically for the film. 

I was lucky enough to be able to see Wicked: For Good in theaters before it was officially released, and I was spellbound by the incredible vocals, instrumentals, and emotions of the soundtrack. So, without further ado, let’s journey down the yellow brick road into the Wicked: For Good soundtrack. 

“Every Day More Wicked” (9.5/10)

The movie opens with “Every Day More Wicked,” which sounds almost like a reprise of “No One Mourns the Wicked” with the same orchestral sound and big, soaring harmonies. It then becomes a patchwork of songs from Act One, including elements from “The Wizard and I,” “What is This Feeling,” and “Popular.” It serves as a sort of recap of the previous movie, while also communicating the fear and unrest that is occurring in Oz. In the original musical, this song was combined with the next song on the soundtrack, “Thank Goodness,” and I fully agree with the decision to let this song have its own moment to shine. I feel that “Every Day More Wicked” achieved its intended purpose, which was to set the scene for Act Two of the Wicked movies and get viewers excited for what may be coming next. 

“Thank Goodness/I Couldn’t Be Happier” (7.5/10)

The second song on the soundtrack starts out with a very different feel than the first. It has a much softer tone, both instrumentally and vocally. It showcases Glinda’s role as the smiling face of Oz, existing to provide comfort and optimism to the citizens. It also reveals the tension between Fiyero and Glinda, which will become a plot point later in the story. My favorite part of the song is definitely Ariana Grande’s vocals, which are more prominent towards the end of the song. Overall, while “Thank Goodness/I Couldn’t Be Happier” provides important foreshadowing and plot points, it is not the most interesting song on the soundtrack sonically, leading me to only give it a 7.5/10. 

“No Place Like Home” (10/10)

This is the first song on the soundtrack that was written specifically for the film adaptation, and one of my favorites on the soundtrack. Cynthia Erivo’s vocals are phenomenal as always, especially in the riffs on the repeated lyric “there’s no place like home,” which pays homage to the original Wizard of Oz story. “No Place Like Home” starts off as a contemplative, melancholic ballad, then builds as the song goes on, switching to an inspirational anthem almost exactly halfway through. The optimism and determination that Elphaba exhibits make this song seem like a more grown-up version of “The Wizard and I.” Elphaba still has that same perseverance that she did when her dream was to meet the Wizard, but she is now focused on saving her home. 

“The Wicked Witch of the East” (4/10)

“The Wicked Witch of the East” is really more of a scene than a song. The portions that are sung do sound good, but this song is mostly composed of dialogue and instrumentals. I do love the last few lines, however, when Nessarose sings: “Alone and loveless here / With just the girl in the mirror / Just her and me / The Wicked Witch of the East.” In addition to the amazing vocal delivery, these lyrics perfectly encapsulate Nessa’s loneliness and heartbreak after learning that Boq will never love her. I enjoyed watching this scene in the movie, but I would skip it when listening to the soundtrack alone. Without the visual component, this song feels disconnected and hard to follow, leading me to rate it a 4/10. 

“Wonderful” (8/10)

“Wonderful” provides a nice break from the more emotional pieces around it. It has a playful tone that made me think of vintage ragtime, perfectly suited for a dance or kickline. The sarcastic lyrics and Jeff Goldblum’s signature charm add to the song’s lightheartedness, and harmonies from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo keep it from seeming dull or one-note. Overall, while “Wonderful” isn’t my favorite song on the soundtrack, it is definitely a fun one that kept me entertained. 

“I’m Not That Girl (Reprise)” (9/10)

The original “I’m Not That Girl,” sung by Elphaba, has been one of my favorite Wicked songs since I first heard it, so it’s only natural that I would also love the reprise. Although it is much shorter than the original and mostly instrumental, it still breaks my heart. Having Glinda sing a version of “I’m Not That Girl” after Fiyero left her for Elphaba was a brilliant decision that is sure to make any viewer or listener teary-eyed. 

“As Long As You’re Mine” (10/10)

This song most definitely stands out as the most emotionally charged song on the soundtrack. While it has the same big, orchestral feel as many other songs in the film, it manages to still feel intimate and touching. I couldn’t review this song without once again mentioning the impressive riffs and harmonies that Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey provide. Despite it being a love song, the minor key and ominous drumbeats in the background provide a feeling of danger and urgency, reminding listeners of the jeopardy that Elphaba and Fiyero are still in throughout their stolen moment. 

“No Good Deed” (11/10)

“No Good Deed” absolutely wins the award for my favorite song on the soundtrack. It is one of the most dramatic tracks with full instrumentals and soaring vocals that practically had me levitating out of my seat in the movie theater. Notably, the riff that Cynthia Erivo adds when she sings Fiyero’s name gave me instant chills. The song only got better from there, building to another impressively long final note and a crescendo of strings and drums. As with many other songs on the soundtrack, I was also captivated by the unrestrained emotion displayed in Erivo’s voice, which I felt really brought the song to life. Of course, it’s easy to add emotion to lyrics such as “Was I really seeking good / Or just seeking attention,” which already communicate the frustration and self-hatred that sit at the heart of Erivo’s seemingly effortless vocal tricks. Between the lyrics, vocals, and instrumentals, this song was so good that it broke my rating scale. A 10/10 was not enough to demonstrate the love I have for this song, leading me to rate it an unheard-of 11/10. 

“March of the Witch Hunters” (6/10)

This is another huge-scale, full-ensemble song, but with an even darker tone than “Every Day More Wicked.” It begins with the citizens of Oz chanting: “Go and hunt her / And find her / And kill her” repeatedly, which is unsettling to say the least. I have a soft spot for those choral harmonies, which definitely led me to give this song a higher rating than I may have otherwise. Aside from that, this song is another one that is more interesting when accompanied by the visuals of the movie. 

“The Girl in the Bubble” (9/10)

“The Girl in the Bubble” is the second song that was written for the movie adaptation, and while I don’t love it quite as much as “No Place Like Home,” I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. It is very self-reflective, which is mirrored in Ariana Grande’s whispery singing and soft background strings. Magical-sounding effects and prominent harps make this song sound like it would fit perfectly into a Disney movie. In addition, the slower tempo and less engaging melody make it easier to focus on the lyrics, displaying Glinda’s character growth from the naive and self-absorbed girl she was before meeting Elphaba. 

“For Good” (10/10)

As the final song of the movie and the title track, “For Good” is one of the most iconic songs in the original Wicked musical. It is truly a celebration of friendship and the effects it can have on people, displayed in the lyric repeated throughout the song: “But because I knew you / I have been changed for good.” If I had to describe this song in a single word, it would be “touching.” Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s voices blend seamlessly together in harmony, and soft piano and guitar create a sentimental tone. Between the emotions it evokes and the musical elements, it only seems right to give this song a 10/10. 

Ultimately, the Wicked: For Good soundtrack was extremely fun to listen to and contained songs that I will be listening to on repeat. Although there were some skips on the album, I would say that it was a fantastic follow-up to Wicked (part one). I especially enjoyed “As Long As You’re Mine,” “No Good Deed,” and “For Good,” along with both the new songs “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble.” Overall, the Wicked: For Good soundtrack features powerful vocals and instrumentals that are sure to take listeners on a journey through the darker side of Oz.