Wicked Soundtrack Oscars: For Good And Defying Gravity Take On Original Song
Okay, so grab your mug, because we need to chat about something HUGE. You know how we’ve been practically living and breathing Wicked for… well, forever? Like, since it first graced our ears and our stages? Yeah, well, hold onto your broomsticks, because it’s officially Oscar season, and two of our absolute favorite anthems from the Emerald City are duking it out for Best Original Song. Can you even believe it?!
I mean, seriously. We’re talking about Defying Gravity and For Good. These aren’t just songs, are they? They’re basically life philosophies set to a killer melody. It’s like asking us to pick our favorite child, if our children were these epic, show-stopping numbers that make us want to punch the air and then sob uncontrollably, sometimes within the same minute. Talk about emotional whiplash, right?
First up, let’s just acknowledge the sheer, unadulterated power that is Defying Gravity. This song. This. Song. Elphaba, right? Our misunderstood, green queen, deciding she’s had enough. She’s done with the rules, done with the judgment, done with being told she can’t. And then she just… soars. Literally and figuratively. It’s the ultimate anthem of rebellion, of embracing your true self, even if everyone else thinks you’re a wicked witch. Who hasn’t belted this out in the shower, pretending their shampoo bottle is a wand and their bathroom is the top of the Tal-Mora?
You know, I swear, every time I hear those opening chords, I get goosebumps. It’s like a physical reaction. And when Idina Menzel (or whoever is belting it out with that unshakeable vibrato) hits that note… you just feel it in your soul. It’s the moment you realize that maybe, just maybe, you have a little bit of Elphaba in you too. That part of you that wants to break free and just… be. It’s pure, unadulterated, magical, defiant magic.
And the lyrics! "Something has changed within me, something is not the same." Um, no kidding, Elphie! You're literally about to defy gravity and probably overthrow the whole dang wizarding regime. It’s dramatic, it’s bold, it’s everything you want in a song that’s supposed to make you feel like you can conquer the world. It’s the soundtrack to every personal growth journey, whether you realize it or not. We’ve all had our own little “I’m not going back, I’m going forward” moments, haven't we? Maybe it was just deciding to eat that extra slice of pizza, but hey, baby steps!
Now, on the other hand, we have For Good. Oh, For Good. This one… this one hits you a little differently, doesn't it? It's not about the grand, explosive defiance. It's about the quiet, profound connection. It’s about the impact we have on each other, the way people can change our lives for the better, even if they’re, you know, a blonde, bubbly witch from Shiz. It’s the softer side of Wicked, but don’t let that fool you. It’s just as powerful, if not more so, in its own beautiful way.
This is the song that makes you think about your Glinda. Or your Elphaba, depending on your personal journey. It’s about those friendships that shape you, that make you see the world differently, that make you… well, for good. It’s so tender, so heartfelt. When Glinda sings, "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good," it’s like a warm hug for your entire heart. Who hasn’t teared up during that part, thinking about someone who just made your world a little brighter?
And the way it builds! It starts so gently, so intimately, and then it swells with this incredible emotion. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to hold someone’s hand and just listen. It’s a testament to the power of love, of understanding, of seeing the good in people, even when the world tells you not to. It’s about accepting imperfections and finding beauty in them. Isn't that what true friendship is all about? Finding someone who sees your green skin and thinks, "Yep, she's a keeper."
So, here we are. Two titans of musical theatre, both nominated. It’s like a friendly showdown, a magical duel. Both songs are so deeply ingrained in our pop culture consciousness. They've soundtracked breakups, makeups, epiphanies, and probably countless karaoke nights. They’ve been covered, remixed, and memed into oblivion, and honestly, I’m here for all of it.
The Oscars, right? Such a fancy, serious affair. And here we have these two songs, born from a musical about witches, coming in to steal the show. It’s kind of perfect, don’t you think? It’s a little bit of defiance against the usual Oscar fodder. It’s saying, "Hey, we’re here, and we’re fabulous, and we’re going to make you feel all the things!" And we love it for that. It’s a win for musicals, a win for strong female characters, and a win for all of us who believe in the power of a really, really good song.
It’s going to be so hard to pick a winner, though. Like, physically difficult. Do we go for the roar of defiance, the call to arms that is Defying Gravity? Or do we lean into the quiet power of connection and transformation that For Good so beautifully captures? It’s like trying to choose between a lightning bolt and a gentle sunrise. Both are incredible, both are awe-inspiring, but they’re so, so different.
I mean, imagine if both could win! Wouldn't that be the ultimate Wicked victory? A double whammy of Ozian greatness. They could put them on either side of the stage, one blasting power chords, the other playing a gentle piano, and just have the entire Dolby Theatre experience a full spectrum of human emotion. I’d pay good money to see that. Heck, I’d pay good money just to hear them performed live at the Oscars. Imagine Idina and Kristin Chenoweth, or Idina and Ariana Grande (since she’s playing Glinda now, right?!) doing a duet of both. My heart might just explode. And not in a bad way, but in a “this is too much beauty for one human to handle” way.
But alas, there can only be one winner. So, what’s it going to be? The song that makes you want to climb mountains and break chains? Or the song that makes you realize the profound beauty of the people who walk into your life? It’s a tough call, and I’m genuinely torn. My inner Elphaba is screaming for Defying Gravity, but my inner Glinda is whispering sweet nothings about For Good. It’s a real internal struggle, a battle for my Oscar-voting soul.
Whatever happens, though, we win. Because these songs exist. They’re out there, making us feel things, making us dream big, making us appreciate the people in our lives. They’re a reminder that even in a world that can sometimes feel a little bit wicked, there’s always room for magic, for defiance, and for good. And honestly, what more could we ask for?
So, let’s raise our coffee cups to Wicked, to its incredible music, and to the fact that these two iconic songs are even in the running. It’s a moment for all of us who love this show, who find ourselves in these songs, who believe in the power of a good story told through song. Here’s to defying gravity and to being changed for good. Cheers!