With Wicked: For Good hitting theaters in just a few days, it felt only fitting to dive into the realm of Oz and imagine which songs its characters might add to their Spotify playlists. The emotional arcs of Glinda, Elphaba, Fiyero, and Boq are examined through the songs that capture their struggles, growth, and the haunting bonds that define them. This musical analysis uncovers how love, power, guilt, and self-discovery shape their paths, and why their stories continue to resonate long after the final curtain.
(WARNING: This article contains minor spoilers for Wicked: For Good.)
ElphabA Thropp
Intelligent and endlessly misunderstood, Elphaba’s journey is one of defiance and self-discovery. Though she’s cast as the villain, her story reveals the courage it takes to stand up for what’s right, even when the world turns against her.
“Can’t Catch Me Now” By Olivia Rodrigo
This song reflects the formidable presence and influence Elphaba wields over all of Oz: Glinda, Madame Morrible, and even the Wizard himself. She is more powerful than the rest of Oz combined, and that drives both Madame Morrible and the Wizard to frustration and obsession. No one anticipated that she would reject their offers of power and prestige, yet Elphaba knows she holds more power on her own than she ever could by accepting the illusions of Oz. The lyric “Sometimes the fire you founded don’t burn the way you’d expect” underscores how the Wizard’s carefully orchestrated plans, set in motion since her birth, completely backfire, and the pawn he thought he controlled is the one shaping the course of the entire story. Her triumph and independence are further captured in the line “I’m higher than the hopes that you brought down,” emphasizing that she rises above their manipulations and limitations, fully in control of her future.
“Chemistry” By Gigi Perez
Elphaba has spent her life expecting others to attack or reject her, so she’s learned to keep her defenses high. When Fiyero speaks to her for the first time, he doesn’t treat her as an outcast; he simply treats her like another person. The song begins in a place of deep vulnerability, capturing her fear of intimacy and of being seen as a “beast” when she lets her guard down. The lyric “If this ends like all things do, I have come prepared” reflects her expectation that every connection will eventually fall apart and that everyone she cares for will leave. Though she’s grown used to being alone, she still longs for someone to choose her, to see beyond her walls and stay. Fiyero is the first person to truly see past her green skin, which is why she clings to their secret moments together, despite his choosing Glinda.
“Wildflower” By Billie Eilish
This song captures the duality of Elphaba’s feelings toward Fiyero and Glinda. It reflects her care and compassion for Glinda, even as she knows she is the reason Fiyero has grown distant from her. Her guilt is made explicit in the lyric “Did I cross the line?”, showing how conflicted she feels about hurting her best friend. And even when Fiyero ultimately chooses Elphaba, she cannot escape the thought of causing pain to Glinda. In the second verse, the lyric “She couldn’t be more different from me” conveys Elphaba’s confusion and insecurity as she compares herself to Glinda. She is haunted by the thought that a part of Fiyero may still long for Glinda, unable to believe that someone could truly choose and love her over someone so flawless.
“My Tears Ricochet” By Taylor Swift
This song captures the bittersweet duality of a connection that is both loving and painful. Elphaba and Glinda share a complex bond filled with rivalry, affection, and everything in between. One moment, they clash, and the next, they reveal their deepest emotions. The lyric “’Cause when I’d fight, you used to tell me I was brave” evokes the final scene of Act 1, when Glinda cannot bring herself to abandon the life she has carefully constructed to leave with Elphaba, despite the depth of their bond. When they are separated, Glinda aligned with the Wizard, living the life Elphaba once dreamed of, and Elphaba soaring free but alone, they continue to haunt each other. Glinda calls out to Elphaba in secret, revealing that love persists despite distance and circumstance. The lyric “You had to kill me, but it killed you just the same” reflects how Glinda’s choice to side with the Wizard inflicts pain on both of them. Their connection lingers, a mixture of longing and regret, proving that some bonds can never be fully broken.
Glinda Upland
Charming, ambitious, and desperate to be adored, Glinda is the golden girl of Oz whose polished perfection hides deep uncertainty about who she truly is. Beneath the sparkle, she’s constantly torn between who she wants to be and who the world expects her to become.
“Tolerate IT” By Taylor Swift
Since the beginning of the musical, Glinda fixates on her outward appearance and how others perceive her. She craves adoration and popularity, expecting admiration to come easily. When Madame Morrible gives Elphaba the validation Glinda has been desperately seeking, she is left confused and insecure. Despite all her efforts to win Morrible’s favor, her attempts go unnoticed until Elphaba escapes Morrible’s control. At first, Glinda is flattered by the sudden attention, but she soon realizes that Morrible’s interest is purely self-serving; she is being used as a tool to lure Elphaba back.
“The Lucky One” By Taylor Swift
Glinda is a performer; her life is carefully planned, every move designed to maintain her image. In the song, the first verse reflects this façade: having everything mapped out, playing the role of being “pretty” and “cool” because that’s what everyone adores. People envy Glinda for her perfection and privilege, believing she has everything. Yet the second verse begins to peel back that illusion, showing that the affection and praise she receives are merely surface-level. The lyric “You don’t feel pretty, you just feel used” captures her internal monologue as she realizes she’s become a pawn in Madame Morrible’s manipulation. By the bridge and final chorus, it feels as if Glinda is speaking directly to Elphaba, acknowledging that Elphaba escaped the false glamour and deception of Oz, while Glinda remains trapped in it, finally admitting that fame and admiration are not what she truly desires.
“I Know The End” By Phoebe Bridgers
After Elphaba leaves Oz, Glinda’s carefully constructed world begins to collapse. The flawless persona she’s perfected no longer satisfies her, and despite her attempts to convince herself otherwise, she’s consumed by loneliness. The song mirrors this unraveling, gradually intensifying to reflect her internal collapse, while the refrain “the end is near” emphasizes her emotional breaking point. It’s the sound of her old identity crumbling, the realization that the world she built on adoration and appearances can’t last. Lines like “Three clicks and I’m home” and “I’m not gonna go down with my hometown in a tornado” directly reference The Wizard of Oz, showing imagery of escape and destruction. In the end, Glinda recognizes that Elphaba made the braver choice by walking away from the false promises of fame and power. She admires her for having the strength to reject the illusion, something Glinda herself never could.
“The Subway” By Chappell Roan
Elphaba continues to haunt Glinda long after her departure from Oz. Elphaba attained everything Glinda ever wanted: recognition, power, and influence. Yet she rejected it, simply because she knew it wasn’t right. The lyric “Made you the villain, evil for just moving on” captures Glinda’s lingering resentment toward Elphaba’s ability to walk away from everything she herself desired. In the song’s final refrains, “She’s got, she’s got a way” and “She got, she got away,” Elphaba becomes a symbol of freedom and a constant reminder of what Glinda could never bring herself to do. Elphaba “got away,” escaping the hollow life built on lies, while Glinda remains behind, trapped in the very life she once would do anything for.
Fiyero Tigelaar
The effortlessly charming prince who seems to have everything, Fiyero, hides a quiet struggle between living freely and standing for what’s right. His relationships with Glinda and Elphaba push him to question his values and discover what true courage really means.
“Super Rich Kids” By Frank Ocean
Fiyero’s introduction at Shiz introduces him as effortlessly charming, carefree, and constantly chasing thrills to fill a hidden emptiness he doesn’t fully understand. The song’s focus on privilege, boredom, and emotional disconnection mirrors his early attitude toward life: everything comes easily, yet nothing feels meaningful. Lines like “Too many joy rides in daddy’s Jaguar” and “Super rich kids with nothin’ but fake friends” reflect how Fiyero masks his lack of direction with charm, status, and reckless fun. Amid all this, the repeated refrain “I’m searchin’ for a real love” underscores his deeper longing for authentic connection, hinting at the emotional growth he begins to experience through his relationship with Elphaba.
“Tennis Court” By Lorde
This song captures the moment Fiyero begins to see through the glamorous, shallow world he’s been performing in. The lyric “Don’t you think that it’s boring how people talk?” reflects his growing weariness with popularity and the constant act of seeming carefree. Lines like “It’s a new art form, showing people how little we care” mirror how he hides behind charm and apathy to mask his uncertainty. As his connection with Elphaba deepens, he begins to question the value of the image he’s built, realizing how empty his privilege feels without real purpose. The song’s cool detachment and quiet yearning mirror his transformation from a careless prince into someone who craves authenticity and meaning.
“Somewhere Only We Know” By Keane
This song mirrors Fiyero’s emotional shift and his search for meaning beyond surface-level charm and privilege. The lyric “I’m getting old and I need something to rely on” captures his quiet realization that the carefree mask he’s worn can’t fulfill him anymore. “So, tell me when you’re gonna let me in” reflects his yearning to connect deeply, especially with Elphaba, who represents truth and freedom in a world built on illusion. Their relationship becomes that “somewhere only we know,” a private, honest space untouched by the chaos of Oz. The song’s wistful tone and imagery of rediscovery mirror how Fiyero, once lost in his own privilege, finally finds grounding and purpose through love that feels authentic.
Boq Woodsman
Sweet, awkward, and perpetually overlooked, Boq’s unrequited love and longing for belonging define his story. His transformation throughout the musical reflects the pain of chasing validation in a world that rarely looks back.
“Mirrorball” By Taylor Swift
Boq is the kind of person who bends himself into every possible shape just to be noticed. “I’m still on that trapeze, I’m still trying everything to keep you looking at me,” perfectly captures his desperate need for validation, especially from Glinda. Like the mirrorball, he reflects what others want to see, hoping that if he shines brightly enough, someone will finally love him back. But beneath that effort is exhaustion, a quiet ache from being everyone’s backdrop but no one’s choice.
“Linger” By The Cranberries
This song mirrors Boq’s heartbreak after realizing that his affection for Glinda will never be returned. The lyric “Were you lying all the time? Was it just a game to you?” reflects his hurt and confusion as he grapples with unrequited love. Despite how much it pains him, he can’t fully let go. He lingers, hoping she might one day see him differently. This is the beginning of his disillusionment, when his endless optimism starts to fracture.
“L’Amour De Ma Vie” By Billie Eilish
By the time Boq ends up with Nessarose, his love has curdled into something complicated and false. He convinces himself he’s doing the right thing, staying with her out of pity, but deep down, he knows it’s a lie. The lyric “I need to confess, I told you a lie. I said you were the love of my life,” mirrors his duality towards Nessa, words spoken out of guilt rather than love. Her growing possessiveness is shown in the line, “It isn’t asking for a lot for an apology. For making me feel like it’d kill you if I tried to leave.” Boq becomes trapped, emotionally manipulated by the expectations he helped create, realizing too late that pity is not the same as devotion. Their story ends in bitterness and regret, a haunting reminder of how lying to protect someone can end up destroying them both.
Each of these songs captures how these characters are shaped by love, loss, and the choices that define them. Through heartbreak and transformation, they each find their own kind of freedom, whether it’s through courage, honesty, or letting go. In the end, Wicked reminds us that every relationship changes us, and even the most painful ones can lead to something beautifully real.