The cinematic event of the year has finally arrived, and the spellbinding music of 'Wicked' is enchanting audiences all over again. While the entire soundtrack is a marvel, some songs achieve a new level of magic on the big screen.
The Yearning Power of 'The Wizard and I'
Every great story needs
an 'I Want' song, and 'The Wizard and I' is one of the genre's best. It's the moment we truly meet Elphaba, a young woman ostracized for her green skin but filled with a burning hope that her unique abilities might finally earn her acceptance and even acclaim. In the film, Cynthia Erivo’s powerhouse vocals capture this raw mix of ambition and vulnerability with breathtaking clarity. The cinematic version expands the world of Shiz University, making her dream of meeting the Wizard feel both grander and more personal. You can feel the weight of her lifelong dream in every note. It’s worth replaying to fully appreciate the foundation of her entire journey; this is the song that sets up everything that follows, making her eventual transformation all the more potent and tragic. Erivo's performance, tinged with both hope and a hint of the challenges to come, makes this an essential track to revisit.
'Popular' Gets a Pop-Perfect Update
If 'The Wizard and I' is Elphaba's soul-baring anthem, 'Popular' is Glinda’s glitter-dusted mission statement. Performed by Ariana Grande, who seems born to play the bubbly, ambitious Good Witch, the song is an absolute delight. It's a masterclass in comedic timing and vocal finesse, as Glinda attempts to give her green roommate a 'makeover' in heart, mind, and appearance. Released as a single, Grande's version honors the sparkling charm Kristin Chenoweth brought to the original while infusing it with her signature pop sensibility. The film's vibrant visuals and Grande's effervescent energy make the scene a standout moment of pure fun. Replaying this track reveals the clever layers in Stephen Schwartz's lyrics—a commentary on the superficiality of social climbing that is as sharp today as it was when the musical premiered. It’s a bop with a brain, and Grande’s delivery is flawless.
'Defying Gravity' Soars to New Heights
This is the moment. 'Defying Gravity' isn't just a song; it's a cultural touchstone. As the stunning finale to the first film, it's the sequence everyone was waiting for, and it does not disappoint. Cynthia Erivo’s performance is nothing short of transcendent. As Elphaba makes the choice to reject the Wizard's corrupt system and embrace her own power, her voice climbs with a force that feels both earned and explosive. The filmmakers knew the weight this number carried, making it the climactic final scene shot for the movie. Supported by a soaring orchestra and Grande's harmonies, Erivo captures the fear, fury, and ultimate liberation of a woman claiming her destiny. It’s a complex, emotionally charged anthem of rebellion that hits even harder on screen. You'll want to listen again not just for the breathtaking high notes, but for the raw, defiant emotion that makes it one of the greatest act-one closers in musical history.
