Reviewed by The North Star
Song Time: 1 Hour and 11 Minutes
Wicked is a musical loosely based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire (which is basically the prologue to The Wizard of Oz). It follows Elphaba Thropp(The Wicked Witch of the West) as she embarks on an adventure at Shiz University with her sister Nessarose. She soon finds out that she has been paired with Galinda (Glinda) Upland who is the exact opposite of her for her roommate. When bad things start to happen they band together and form a bond, stronger than any before. Wicked was nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Orchestration and twice for Best Leading Actress, for Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth. Idina Menzel won the Best Actress award, and the show also won the Tony Awards for Best Scenic Design and Best Costume Design. Wicked also won 6 Drama Desk Awards and an Olivier Award. The singers in this show are AMAZING and I couldn’t think of a show that was better cast than this one!
No One Mourns the Wicked- 7/10- Like the ending this is a great way to start off the show. The orchestration is beautiful, and it starts you out with a lot of information that is very important down the road. They tell you how the Wicked Witch of the West was born and how she had a troubled life as a baby and child. This just isn’t my favorite song, probably because of the length but other than that it is a really good way to being such an amazing show!
Dear Old Shiz- 5/10- This is a strange song, because it is a transition song between changing sets and costumes and what not so it probably wasn’t the most well thought out song but the orchestration is really pretty and the harmonies sung by all the Shiz students are spot on so it isn’t terrible but just not that great.
The Wizard and I- 11/10- When I first heard this song it was my instant favorite of the CD and was for a long time. Idina Menzel has a voice that everyone could only dream of having and this is the first song that she sings in the show. This song is one that you find stuck in your head for days after listening to it and humming down the hallways or even around the house. Very catchy and worth buying!!!
What Is This Feeling?- 11/10- This song makes me laugh every time I hear it. In this scene Elphaba and Glinda are having a battle because they have just been made roomates and they can’t stand each other. I love this song because it is sung by Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel who are sound extremely beautiful when they sing together and they also even on recordings have mounds of emotion, so you can almost imagine the scene in your head. The best part though has to be the end and if you have listened to the song you know what I am talking about.
Something Bad- 7/10- This is just a strange song……Dr. Dillamond sings it to Elphaba about how all the animals that can talk are turning back into animals who can’t talk. The only reason this song is getting such a high grade is because Idina Menzel sings in it and when she has her little moments it really shows you what an amazing voice she has because William Youmans is just a decent singer and so when she comes in you get chills. The thing that I really dont like about this song though is the random goat noises he makes. Baaaaaa
Dancing Through Life- 10/10- I really like this song even though it is quite long. It explains a lot that is happening and has happened like No One Mourns the Wicked. This is also the turning point in the show when Elphaba and Glinda realize that they can be friends and they have some things in common. This is also the first time you hear Boq sing and I really like his character. He is a little munchkin boy who is hopelessly in love with Glinda and would do anything for her and you start to see his character bloom.
Popular- 11/10- This song is a song that gets stuck in your head FOR DAYS!!!!!!! Glinda is telling Elphaba about how she is going to be Popular now that they are friends and is also giving her a make-over. This song is extremely catchy and always makes me want to get up and dance with a hairbrush. Even just listening to it right now I find myself singing random parts against my will. Whenever your feeling down listen to this song it always seems to cheer me up.
I’m Not That Girl- 9/10- This is a very sad song. 
Elphaba is singing about the boy she is in love with but unfortunately he is love with another girl and how she’s not the girl that he wants. This song is really really pretty but one I tend to skip on my iPod. I think the lyrics are beautiful and everything but it just isn’t my favorite on the CD.
Elphaba is singing about the boy she is in love with but unfortunately he is love with another girl and how she’s not the girl that he wants. This song is really really pretty but one I tend to skip on my iPod. I think the lyrics are beautiful and everything but it just isn’t my favorite on the CD.One Short Day- 10/10- This song is very upbeat and happy. Kind of the polar opposite of the song played before. Elphaba and Glinda have just arrived for the first time in Oz (The Emerald City) and they can’t believe what they see. I really like this song because it has a really nice beat and really makes me want to visit Oz because of all the good things they say about it. I love the part in this song when they combine the beginning and the second part of the song together because it is really cool how it all fits even though it is to completely different tunes.
A Sentimental Man- 1/10- This song is just flat out terrible. Luckily it is only 1 minute and 17 seconds but even that is too long. Joel Gray is a good singer but on this song he sounds awful. Every time this song plays on my iPod I quickly change it and I don’t think I have ever by choice wanted to listen to this song… There is anything good to say about it so just DON’T buy it!!! (Unless you are buying the whole CD) (:
Defying Gravity- 11/10- This is probably the most famous song from the show. This is when Glinda and Elphaba has reached pretty much the climax of the story and have to decide something that will impact them both whether it is good or bad. This song is amazing and one that always puts me in a good mood after I listen to it from some reason. Maybe it is the harmony created when Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel sing together or maybe it is the incredible lyrics, but whatever it is it is amazing!! If you are unsure whether or not to buy this album then at least buy this song and For Good because I guarantee you will find yourself listening to them on repeat for hours.
Thank Goodness- 9/10- This is a really long song but the song that opens the 2nd act. I think that it is a good way to open the 2nd act because all during intermission you want the show to come back on so to come back to a long song was very nice! You learn a lot in this song about everything that has been going on in Oz while you were gone. This song has a nice beat and is just an all around good song there isn’t much to say about it…it is just good! 
Wonderful- 9/10- I really like this song and when I first listened to the CD it was my favorite of the whole CD. The Wizard of Oz is singing to Elphaba about how he established Oz and Munchkinland and how they all love him there. They say the word wonderful about 50 times in this song, so the title is very suited. This is song that after listening to it a few times you get sick of Joel Gray’s voice. Don’t get me wrong he has a very good voice but you can’t listen to it to many times or you get sick of it. The reason I can listen to it so many times though is because of Idina Menzel’s voice in the end. It is a lot like Something Bad you really begin to appreciate her voice!
I’m Not That Girl (Reprise)- 9/10- This is a very short but sad song. It is only 50 seconds but Glinda sings about how she had everything and then lost it and now she’s not that girl. For some reason I never skip this song on my iPod. Whether it is Kristen Chenoweths voice or the subject of the song I never skip it. An all around good song just a little too short for me even though it is a reprise.
As Long As You’re Mine-10/10- This is a duet between Fiyero and Elphaba. This song is extremely passionate and just listening to them sing to each other gives you chills down your back. Like almost every single song on this CD it also has very strong lyrics. They sing about how they never thought they would get so lucky yet they are standing there having everything they have ever wanted. This is also an amazing song because it is Idina Menzel and Norbert Leo Butz who have voices that are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!! Just an amazing song!
No Good Deed-11/10- This is one of my favorite songs on the whole CD. Elphaba is talking about everytime she does something good something very bad comes of it and how all of her friends are now hurt or worse off than they were before. I really like this song because the lyrics are really powerful. Was I really seeking good
Or just seeking attention? Is that all good deeds are, When looked at with an ice-cold eye? I really like that line because when you think about it, it is really true. I hate to saw it but most good deeds are just that. Overall, this is a very powerful song.
Or just seeking attention? Is that all good deeds are, When looked at with an ice-cold eye? I really like that line because when you think about it, it is really true. I hate to saw it but most good deeds are just that. Overall, this is a very powerful song.
March of the Witch Hunters- 6/10- I really don’t like this song very much. All of the ozians and others are going to hunt down the Wicked Witch of the East for everything that she has done. I just don’t really like the beat of the song or the orchestration but the reason it is getting such a high grade is because Christopher Fitzgerald sings in it and I love his voice! I always skip this one on my iPod.
For Good- 12/10- This is one of my favorite songs ever! The lyrics are really powerful and it is a really sad moment in the show because Glinda and Elphaba are saying goodbye to each other and get emotional while doing it. They are singing about how they both have changed each others lives and how it was such a good thing that they were lucky enough to know each other. This song to me is just really powerful and I can really relate to what they are singing about and the arrangement is beautiful. All in all, it is an amazing song that should be on your iPod no matter what!
Finale “Wicked”- 8/10- This isn’t my favorite song on the CD but I think that it is a really good song to wrap up and end the entire show.
In short this show is amazing!! There are only a few songs that I really don’t like and the rest I could listen to all day and be happy. This CD is totally worth buying and if you have the time, you will not be disappointed if you go to see it on Broadway!!!!! One of the best shows of the decade by far!
Real Teen Rating~ A- : At least buy a few of the songs!
Reviewed by Dream Catcher
No One Mourns the Wicked – 8.5/10 – Good start to the show. Dramatic with the chorus of Ozians and higher Glinda part. Nice harmonies and I really like the lyrics.
Dear Old Shiz – 4/10 - Don’t like this song so much. It’s a chorus song with lots of harmonies. But it’s only talking about the school and it’s kind of boring. Not my favorite song. I skip over it when it comes on my iPod.
The Wizard and I – 11/10 - Love this song! It’s basically a song that’s all Elphaba, and her voice is amazing. The only thing I don’t like about it is the beginning that has Madam Morrible singing. That part’s just eh. But other than that it’s a really dramatic, big-finish type song. REALLY good.
What Is This Feeling? – 9/10 – This used to be one of my favorite songs on the CD but after listening to it for a while I got kind of tired of it. It’s still a good song with funny parts like the talking in the beginning. Good song, but not the best.
Something Bad – 7.5/10 – This song is pretty weird, especially if you haven’t seen the show. I’ve never really been a huge fan of this song, because half of it is sung by a goat (not that I have a problem with goats, it’s just a little bizarre sounding), but it’s grown on me a little. The parts where Elphaba singing are really good, though. I especially like the very end line, “It couldn’t happen here…in Oz”. I don’t know what it is, but I really love the notes to that part.
Dancing Through Life – 9.3/10 - The first song Fiyero sings. An eternity-long song. Everyone jumps in and sings at some point, all talking about the dance they’re planning. The fact that Fiyero is singing about being lazy and not doing work – like it’s a good thing – is a really funny part of the song. A lot happens in this song.
Popular – 9.5/10 - A Galinda song. I love this song because it sounds so superficial and mean while Galinda claims to be helping Elphaba. Funny and cutsie.
I’m Not That Girl – 12/10 - I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH. Elphaba sounds so sorrowful. One of her best songs. The melody is so beautiful and the lyrics are just amazing. My favorite song of the show.
One Short Day – 6/10 - This has never been a favorite of mine. I always considered it filler. Nothing special. After listening to this CD over and over for years I don’t feel any different. Something about this song is just very lack-luster to me. Boring. Oh, well. I’ll listen to it, but kinda grudgingly.
Sentimental Man – 2/10 - My least favorite song in the whole show. Sung by the Wizard about how he always wanted to be a father. Ick. It’s just an all around gross song. Bad vocal, bad lyrics, icky. Just no. If there was one song from this show that could vanish off the face of the earth and no one would care about, it would be this song.
Defying Gravity – 10/10 – Good, dramatic song to end the first act with a flourish. Elphaba and Glinda but mostly Elphaba. This is the signature song of Wicked, basically. This is the song they always use when they advertise the show and everyone loves it. All around really good song about breaking free.
Thank Goodness – 8.9/10 – A happy celebration song that starts off the second act of the show. Glinda with her high soprano solo and Madame Morrible’s weird little talk-sing part. A section I really like is when people are gossiping about the wicked witch, like she has an extra eye, or can shed her skin like a snake. Its funny and is so like real gossip (rediculous) that it’s funny.
Wonderful - 8/10 - I've never really liked this song. It was just okay to me. But listening to the lyrics...they're really funny. He's talking about where he comes from and how basically everybody there lies. Sound familiar, anyone? Haha but anyways that part got a chuckle out of me, so I should give this song some credit. What I don't like is how many times he says WONDERFUL and how huge and overly-dramatic the instrumental parts are. Not just verging on corny. TOTALLY corny. But other than that the song's okay.
I'm Not That Girl (Reprise) - 9/10 - I didn't want to give this a 9 because it's so short I really don't think they should have put it on the CD. They left out another song that's in the show (Wicked Witch of the East sung by Nessarose, which I really wish they had put on the CD because it's amazing), not a reprise! But the song is sad and pretty so it deserves a 9. Every time this song comes on my iPod I skip it because it's so short and I don't think it'll be worth listening to because it's the shortest reprise on the face of the planet. But I just listened to it, and up until the very end note everything is just okay. Pretty, but not that remarkable. The very last note makes the song; it's sad, pretty low and just awesome. Don't ask me why because I have no idea.
As Long As You're Mine - 11/10 - I love this song because it's so sweet and romantic. The lyrics are really great because...well because they're ROMANTIC! I don't know. I especially love Fiyero's lines. They're amazing. I also really love the dramatic and dark-sounding beginning sounds. Don't really know what instrument that is, but it sounds awesome! Just a really great song.
No Good Deed - 12/10 - A WONDERFULLY bitter and angry song. At the same time she's really have a major pity party. Talking about how her life has been terrible up to this point and every good thing she's ever done has been thrown back in her face. It's actually a really powerful song...despite the fact that she's telling everyone to just stop doing all good deeds...it's still amazing. The string instrument in the background is really cool (I'd never noticed before but when you actually try to listen to it it makes the song EVEN BETTER). Really adds to the song. Then there's the big dramatic finish. It's big. It's dramatic. What else could you ask for? Amazing.
March of the Witch Hunters - 8.8/10 - I like this song. It's an angry mob singing. That's pretty crazy. This song really tells a lot about the story of Oz, too. Which is good. The violin in the song's background is really intense. It sounds angry. It's really cool. The only thing is there's this one part where the lyrics are "witch hunters I would join you if I could" but there's not really enough time to say that whole thing, so it comes out as "joinyouifIcould" and doesn't really sound like much of anything. I've tried singing it like them and it's always hilarious. Good, but not great song.
For Good - 9/10 - I aways thought this song was kind of boring. Sure the lyrics are pretty good and touching, or something but the song always seemed to lack luster for me. It's kind of grown on me (mostly because it's like the North Star's favorite song) and I like it more than I did before. Not my favorite.
Real Teen Rating~ A- : At least buy a few of the songs!
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