Let’s Overanalyze the Two New Wicked: For Good Songs

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We’ve been getting tiny previews – just seconds long – of the new songs for the upcoming movie, Wicked: For Good. Composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz announced back in 2022 that he was writing two original songs for the sequel, which makes sense since the second act of the Broadway musical doesn’t have as many catchy tunes as the first, even though it still has some amazing musical moments. Now we know the song titles – “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble” – and thanks to the recent Wicked: One Wonderful Night television special, we’ve heard enough snippets and lyrics to really start digging into what they mean.

“No Place Like Home,” Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=yqFYyTUPW0E

I wonder why I’m so attached to this place, even though it hasn’t shown me much affection. Still, there really is no place like home. No place feels quite like home.

Musically, this song feels like a showcase for Cynthia Erivo’s powerful vocals, particularly her extended notes on “nooooooo” and “hooooooome” – a familiar tactic, given her performance of “Fiyeroooooo” in “No Good Deed.” The song’s central theme clearly echoes Dorothy’s iconic line from The Wizard of Oz. The second act of the musical follows Elphaba’s journey alongside Dorothy’s, happening simultaneously. While Dorothy’s longing for home stems from missing her family in Kansas, Elphaba’s use of the same phrase raises a question: is she referring to her unhappy childhood in Munchkinland, or Oz itself, a place that rejects her?

In a recent interview, Ariana Grande explained the song is about Elphaba’s commitment to defending Oz, even when everyone turns against her. The released clip shows Elphaba in her forest hideaway with animal companions, and flying on her broom with monkeys who have become her friends since the first movie. Cynthia Erivo shared on the Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast last December that the song captures Elphaba’s core character and even moved the film crew to tears. However, it’s unclear how much of that emotional impact comes from the song itself versus Erivo’s powerful performance.

“The Girl in the Bubble,” Ariana Grande as Glinda

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=JErJqP0pF6w

There’s a lovely girl who seems to have it all – a perfect life, but it’s all based on deception. She lives in a protected world, a beautiful bubble, and it’s probably time for reality to set in.

It sounds like Glinda is embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Her iconic bubble isn’t literally transporting her this time; it represents her sheltered existence. She’s lived a protected, superficial life, and now she’s choosing to step outside of that comfort zone and face the real world. Cynthia Erivo, who plays Glinda, explains that a particular song captures the moment Glinda decides to become truly good, rather than just say she is. We see glimpses of her luxurious life in the Emerald City, as well as flashbacks to her younger self admiring her reflection. The preview also shows her extravagant wardrobe, her glamorous outings with Fiyero, and some adorable CGI animal companions like ferrets and giraffes.

I’m more looking forward to Glinda’s song, mainly because the musical doesn’t fully show us this part of her development. Based on the short clips, neither song sounds particularly captivating, and they don’t seem to include any familiar musical themes from the original show. Still, any new music is a welcome treat!

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2025-11-10 23:55