2 new songs by Stephen Schwartz bring fresh magic in Wicked: For Good

The highly anticipated second installment of the Wicked film adaptation, Wicked: For Good, isn’t just bringing the beloved songs from the stage to the screen—it’s also delivering two brand-new, original songs created just for the film. These additions not only deepen the characters’ emotional journeys but hint at new narrative terrain too.

Below, we dive into what each song promises, how it ties into the story and characters, and what this means for fans of the original musical. Watch excerpts below.

“No Place Like Home” — Elphaba’s solo moment

This song is imagined as a deeply emotional moment for Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo. In interviews, Erivo noted how aware she was of the title’s weight — after all, “There’s no place like home” is a hallmark phrase from the original Oz story.

 

“The Girl in the Bubble” — Glinda’s defining new song

Ariana Grande’s new song for Glinda titled “The Girl in the Bubble” signals a key transformative moment for her character. Grande herself has described it as a moment of decision: “We get to see her decide, ‘I’m going to change the course of Oz. I’m going to become deeply, truly good and make a safe space for people.’” The imagery is also strong: the classic Glinda arrival in a bubble has been iconic, and the song uses that motif as a springboard—not just a spectacle, but a metaphor for how Glinda has been seen (surface level, privileged) and how she might now choose to engage differently.

 

The songs “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble” aren’t just nice extras—they’re narrative signposts, emotional expansions, and fresh musical moments that tell us: This is a new chapter for Elphaba and Glinda. For fans of the original musical, and newcomers alike, these tracks offer both familiarity (through theme and style) and surprise (through new material and character development).

Watch Wicked: For Good starting November 19 in the Philippines. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Colman Domingo as the Cowardly Lion and more. Directed by Jon M. Chu.