Wicked: For Good (2025) is finally out, and I cannot wait to go see it in theaters! While I have never been a theater kid (sadly, I can’t dance, sing, or act), I am a huge fan of musical theater. Even though my musical love goes far back in time, I know lots of people are discovering musicals for the first time with Wicked being in movie theaters.
So if you’re finding yourself craving some more theater tunes but don’t know where to start, I’m here to share some favorites based on your favorite Wicked song!
- If you love the back and forth of “What Is This Feeling,” listen to “What Do You Know About Love” from Frozen
-
Like “What Is This Feeling” for Elphaba and Glinda, “What Do You Know About Love” takes place early on in Anna & Kristoff’s relationship when they’re unsure about each other. Just like every other Frozen song, it’s SO catchy! Truly one of my favorite musical duets.
- Or if it’s the complicated female relationship you like about “What Is This Feeling,” listen to “Take Me or Leave Me” from Rent
-
Even though Maureen and Joanne have a romantic relationship, their on-and-off again nature feels very similar to Elphaba and Glinda. Rent is one of Broadway’s most iconic musicals, and this song even features Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba when Wicked premiered on Broadway in 2003.
- If you want to feel the same joy you get listening to “Dancing Through Life,” try “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray
-
“You Can’t Stop The Beat” is on my “Serotonin Boost” playlist for a reason. As the finale for Hairspray, not only is the tempo incredibly fast, but it’s the perfect feel-good song. Just like “Dancing Through Life,” the song is so catchy that you can’t not dance and sing along to it.
- If your favorite song is “Popular,” listen to “Omigod You Guys” from Legally Blonde
-
Did you know Legally Blonde has a musical adaptation? First premiering on Broadway in 2007, and then on the West End in 2010, “Omigod You Guys” is the opening song and has the same femininity and tempo as “Popular.”
- If you love the soft ballad of “I’m Not That Girl,” try “She Used To Be Mine” from Waitress
-
Both of these songs touch on themes of self-reflection and identity and are a bit more subdued compared to more typical ballads. While the original version of “She Used To Be Mine” is great, I highly recommend Sara Bareilles’ version.
- But if you want a power ballad similar to “Defying Gravity,” listen to “My Days” from The Notebook
-
There aren’t many people who can match Cynthia Ervio’s voice, but Joy Woods might come close. Her rendition of “My Days” has some “Defying Gravity”-level of rifts, and it’s also about choosing yourself.
- If you love a romantic duet like “As Long As You’re Mine,” try “All I’ve Ever Known” from Hadestown
-
Love songs are some of my favorites, and “All I’ve Ever Known” is one of the best. And for all my romance lovers out there, the two actors who originated the roles of Euridyce and Orpheus in London, Eva Noblezada and Reeve Carney, got married last month! How cute is that?
- If you want an intense solo like “No Good Deed,” listen to “World Burn” from Mean Girls
-
Although Regina George is definitely more of a villain than Elphaba, both of these songs have a darker tone and some immersive backing vocals. Those last belting notes of “World Burn”?? CRAZY.
- If you want a sweeping emotional duet like “For Good,” listen to “I Will Never Leave You” from Side Show
-
This show is not as popular as the others on the list, and its subject matter is a little odd, being about conjoined twins who become stage performers in the 1930s. But it has so many similarities to “For Good,” from the female duet and overlapping vocals to the emotional tone, that it creates a gorgeous song.
- Or if “For Good” had you tearing up, listen to “No One is Alone” from Into the Woods
-
Just like “For Good” and “I Will Never Leave You,” this song features some gorgeous overlapping vocals and emotional lyrics. It’s also written by the iconic Stephen Sondheim, arguably the best Broadway composer of all time.
I hope you found some new songs to listen to!
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, watch us on TikTok, and read our latest Tweets!