For Good

Lyrics

The song's lyrics concern how both Elphaba and Glinda have been changed by their friendship with each other. Glinda begins by saying that, while she doesn't know if it is true that people come into each other's lives for a reason, "I know I'm who I am today because I knew you." Similarly, Elphaba tells Glinda that "whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend." Elphaba also asks Glinda to forgive her for anything she might have done wrong, to which Glinda replies that "there's blame to share", but both agree that "none of it seems to matter anymore". Schwartz commented after the show premiered that for the opening of the song, he asked his daughter what she would say if she would never see her best friend again, and her answer became the first verse of "For Good".

Critical reception

Vulture ranked the song as the third-best from the* Wicked* score, describing it as "not particularly inventive", "comically heavy-handed", and almost overtaken by "flowery schmaltz", while ultimately concluding that the earned emotion that the show has built through the duo's relationship can "excuse all manner of lyrical sins". Playbill ranked it the seventh-best Stephen Schwartz song, deeming it less flashy than other Wicked songs, unique, powerful, meaningful and an insight into how relationships make people grow. Jenny Singer of The Forward wrote that it "belongs to an exclusive category: songs that have become staples at graduations, retirement celebrations and funerals".

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande version

English actress Cynthia Erivo and American singer and actress Ariana Grande performed a rendition of "For Good" as Elphaba and Glinda respectively in Wicked: For Good (2025), the second of Universal Pictures' two-part film adaptation of Wicked, which was released on November 21, 2025. Their version of the song was released on the same day as part of the soundtrack album Wicked: For Good – The Soundtrack (2025) by Republic Records and Verve Records.

Erivo and Grande performed "For Good" with Menzel and Chenoweth for the television special Wicked: One Wonderful Night, which aired on November 6, 2025. Schwartz wrote new lyrics for the bridge, and also provided piano accompaniment for the four vocalists. The performance was filmed at the Gershwin Theatre, the home of the Wicked Broadway production.

Track listing

7-inch vinyl

1. "For Good" – 6:17
2. "For Good" (instrumental) – 6:17

Digital EP

1. "For Good" – 6:17
2. "For Good" (edit) – 3:17
3. "For Good" (live from the Gershwin Theatre) (with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth) – 4:31
4. "For Good" (sing-along) – 6:17

Charts

Release history

Other versions and usage in media

• Internet personalities Sam Tsui and Nick Pitera recorded a cover that has been uploaded to their respective YouTube channels.
• Portions of the original version of the song were used at the ending of the September 4, 2013 repeat episode of the game show Wheel of Fortune, as a tribute to director Mark Corwin, who died on July 25, 2013.

References

References

1. ""For Good" from Wicked the Musical". Scene 1 Arts LLC.
2. (2013-10-30). "Wicked at 10: Ranking the Broadway Hit's Songs". Vulture.
3. "'You're Gonna Be Popular': The Top 14 Songs by Stephen Schwartz {{!}} Playbill".
4. (November 21, 2025). "For ill and for good, this ‘Wicked’ song has become ubiquitous".
5. Willman, Chris. (September 17, 2025). "'Wicked: For Good' Soundtrack to Feature Two New Songs Written by Stephen Schwartz for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande".
6. (September 17, 2025). "Wicked: For Good Announces Date for Soundtrack Release, New Songs".
7. (November 22, 2025). "Stephen Schwartz Reflects on Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo’s ‘For Good’ with Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth (Exclusive)". [[People (magazine).
8. Hall, Margaret. (November 7, 2025). "See Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Belt Out New ''Wicked'' Songs, and a Rewritten 'For Good' With Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth". [[Playbill]].
9. (December 1, 2025). "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 1 December 2025". [[Australian Recording Industry Association]].
10. (November 28, 2025). "Hot 40 Singles". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
11. "Top 200 Singles Semana 48 de 2025". [[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa]].
12. (November 14, 2025). "Hot 40 Singles". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
13. (November 13, 2025). "Take home the music with the Wicked: For Good Vinyl Soundtrack, featuring two new original songs💚 Get yours when you see Wicked: For Good at Regal starting November 21🫧".
14. "For Good (from Wicked: For Good - The Soundtrack) - EP by Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande". [[Apple Music]].
15. {{YouTube. lQYmSfLAbJ8{{primary source inline. (January 2025)
16. {{YouTube. hDbB0OA-Qmk. Wheel of Fortune - Mark Corwin Tribute (Sept. 4, 2013){{primary source inline. (January 2025)