Introduction to the Soundtrack

The soundtrack for the upcoming film will be released on November 21, coinciding with the movie’s theater publication. Republic Records and Verve Records made the announcement on Wednesday morning. The album will feature songs from the second act of the stage musical, as well as three new additions.

New Songs and Additions

The award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz has written two new songs for the film’s finale. These songs, "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble", will be performed by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, respectively. Additionally, a previously unreleased song from the original Broadway musical, "The East Witch of the East", will be included on the soundtrack. This song will be sung by Marissa Bode, Erivo, and Ethan Slater.

Schwartz’s Statement

Schwartz expressed his excitement about the soundtrack, stating, "I am particularly glad that the soundtrack album for Wicked has so much new music. In addition to two brand new songs, there are a lot of new elements in several other existing songs." This suggests that fans can expect a fresh and exciting musical experience.

Track List

The soundtrack will feature some of the greatest moments from the stage musical, including "Thank Goodness", "No Good Deed", and the iconic duet "For Good". Other tracks include "More Evil Every Day", "Wonderful", "I’m Not That Girl (Reprise)", "As Long as You’re Mine", and "March of the Witch Hunters".

Availability and Formats

The soundtrack is available for pre-order and will be released in various formats, including CD, double vinyl, double cassette, and digital. Exclusive versions of the album will be available at Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble.

The Film and Stage Musical

The film, Wicked, continues the story of the witches of Oz, with Grande playing Galinda (Glinda) and Erivo playing Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West). The second act of the stage musical takes a darker turn, exploring the complexities of the characters and their relationships. The film adaptation expands on this, providing additional context and depth to the story.

Storyline and Characters

In the stage musical and film, Elphaba’s transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West is a pivotal moment. With the additional context provided in the film, fans can understand the motivations behind Elphaba’s actions and the consequences of her decisions. The story follows Elphaba and Glinda as they go their separate ways, with Elphaba rebelling against the Wizard and Glinda remaining loyal.

Schwartz’s Approach to Songwriting

Schwartz has stated that the new songs were written to serve the story, rather than simply to add new music. He believes that the songs are an integral part of the narrative, and that they help to drive the plot forward. This approach ensures that the music is meaningful and impactful, rather than just a superficial addition.