The Meaning Behind The Song: For Good [From Wicked] by Idina Menzel
Among the many iconic songs of Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, “For Good” stands out as a powerful and moving piece. The song, performed by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, two witches who started as reluctant roommates and ended up becoming dear friends.
At its core, “For Good” is a song about the transformative power of friendship. It speaks to the idea that sometimes, the people we meet in life can have a profound impact on who we are and who we become, leaving a lasting impression on our souls and changing us “for good.”
In an interview with Billboard, composer Stephen Schwartz explained: “The song is really about gratitude for having met someone who becomes a friend and changed your life for the better.” It’s a reflection on the universal human experience of encountering someone who makes us better, pushes us to grow, and stays with us long after their physical presence in our lives has ended.
Frequently Asked Questions About “For Good”
1. Who wrote “For Good”?
The music and lyrics for “For Good” were composed by Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote the lyrics for the rest of the songs in Wicked.
2. What is the context of “For Good” in the musical Wicked?
“For Good” is sung by the characters of Elphaba and Glinda towards the end of the musical. It marks a significant turning point in their relationship, as they reconcile after a period of conflict.
3. What inspired Schwartz to write “For Good”?
In an interview with Playbill, Schwartz revealed that he was inspired to write “For Good” after attending a workshop on leadership. The speaker shared a story about someone asking her for advice on how to say goodbye to a friend, to which she replied: “Don’t say goodbye, say ‘thank you.'” This sentiment of gratitude and appreciation for friendship is at the core of “For Good.”
4. What does the title “For Good” mean?
The title “For Good” has a double meaning. It refers to the idea of something being permanent or lasting, but it also plays on the phrase “for good,” meaning “forever,” which ties in with the theme of friendship and love that lasts beyond physical separation.
5. Who else has covered “For Good”?
Numerous artists have covered “For Good” over the years, including Kristin Chenoweth, Lea Michele, LeAnn Rimes, and even the cast of Glee.
6. What is the significance of the last line of the song, “because I knew you, I have been changed for good”?
This line encapsulates the entire message of the song: that we are all changed by the people we meet and the relationships we form. Elphaba and Glinda both acknowledge that they have impacted each other’s lives in profound ways, and that they will carry the memory of each other with them forever.
7. Has “For Good” won any awards?
While “For Good” didn’t win any major awards on its own, it was part of the Wicked soundtrack, which won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album in 2005.
8. What is the tempo of “For Good”?
“For Good” is a relatively slow ballad, with a tempo of around 67 beats per minute.
9. What is the instrumentation in “For Good”?
The original piano and vocal arrangement of “For Good” is relatively simple, but it has been arranged for different instrumentation over the years. In the stage show, the song is accompanied by a full orchestra.
10. What other songs are similar to “For Good”?
In terms of theme and message, “For Good” is similar to other songs about the power of friendship, such as “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King, “That’s What Friends Are For” by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, and “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers.
11. What does “Wicked” mean in the context of the musical?
“Wicked” is a double entendre that refers to both the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and the idea that “wicked” can mean both evil and cool or great. The musical explores the idea that things are not always as they seem, and that characters who may be labeled as “wicked” or “good” are often much more complex than they appear.
12. What is the message of “Wicked” as a whole?
While “For Good” has a specific message about friendship, the musical Wicked as a whole is about the importance of individuality, the dangers of mob mentality, and the power of forgiveness and second chances. It encourages viewers to question authority and challenge the status quo, while also celebrating the power of empathy, love, and acceptance.
