So, the world finally has both parts of the cinematic Oz saga, and honestly, the conversation hasn’t stopped since the first trailer dropped. When Ariana Grande was cast as Glinda, people had thoughts. Some were worried her pop roots would clash with Stephen Schwartz’s complex theatrical scores. Others—mostly Arianators and musical theater nerds—knew she’d been training for this since she was literally eight years old.
Now that we have the full collection of Ariana Grande Wicked the soundtrack songs, we can see how she and Cynthia Erivo actually handled the pressure of replacing icons like Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. It’s not just a copy-paste of the Broadway cast recording. It’s bigger, more orchestral, and occasionally way more heartbreaking.
The Standout Tracks Everyone Is Obsessing Over
If you haven’t sat down and listened to the albums start to finish, you’re missing the arc. The way Ariana’s voice changes from the high-energy, almost manic chirpiness of Part 1 to the shattered, mature tone of Part 2 is kind of a masterclass in vocal acting.
Basically, the "Popular" we got in the first film set the bar. Ariana didn’t just sing it; she inhabited it. She added all these tiny vocal inflections—the little squeaks, the "la-las" at the end—that made it feel like a live performance rather than a sterile studio track. But the real surprise for many was "The Girl in the Bubble." This is one of the new songs added for the films, and it gives Glinda a layer of fragility we never really saw on stage. It's a pivotal moment. You’ve got this girl who is the face of Oz, realizing she’s trapped by her own public image.
Then there’s "Thank Goodness." This is probably where Ariana delivers her best technical vocal work. The belting is clean, but the acting is what stays with you. She’s singing about being happy while her eyes—and her voice—are clearly telling a different story. It’s nuanced. It’s messy. It’s very human.
✨ Don't miss: Adam Scott in Step Brothers: Why Derek is Still the Funniest Part of the Movie
How the Soundtrack Differs from the Stage Show
Musicals on screen can be tricky. Sometimes they feel too small. Other times they feel like they’re trying too hard to be "pop." The Wicked soundtrack avoided that by leaning into a massive, cinematic orchestra.
- No One Mourns the Wicked: This is the opening number and it’s a seven-minute epic. It feels less like a stage intro and more like a film prologue. Ariana’s Glinda is floating in her bubble, and the scale of the production is just... it’s a lot.
- What Is This Feeling?: The duet between Ariana and Cynthia Erivo is faster and punchier than the original. They play off each other’s timing perfectly. You can tell they actually recorded these together (or at least spent enough time together to sync their vibes).
- Defying Gravity: Technically a Cynthia Erivo moment, but Ariana’s harmonies in the second half are what ground the song. She’s the emotional anchor while Elphaba is literally hitting the rafters.
One thing that kinda caught people off guard was the length of the tracks. "Dancing Through Life" is nearly ten minutes long. It’s a full-on sequence involving Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Ethan Slater (Boq), and the whole Shiz ensemble. It’s not just a song; it’s a whole scene.
The New Additions and Surprising Cameos
Stephen Schwartz didn’t just hand over the old sheet music. He wrote new material to flesh out the parts of the story that the stage show usually glosses over.
"The Girl in the Bubble" isn't the only "new" thing. We also got "No Place Like Home," a track that really highlights Cynthia’s vulnerability. But for the Ariana fans, the big deal is the "Ozdust Duet." It’s a bonus track that gives a little more flavor to the ballroom scene.
🔗 Read more: Actor Most Academy Awards: The Record Nobody Is Breaking Anytime Soon
Also, can we talk about the cameos? Having the original Broadway leads, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, show up on "One Short Day" was the ultimate "passing the torch" moment. Hearing their voices blended with Ariana and Cynthia’s is a total core memory for anyone who grew up with the 2003 cast recording. It’s a rare moment of Hollywood actually respecting the source material.
The Vocal Production Behind the Magic
Ariana and Cynthia weren't just the stars; they were heavily involved in how the music actually sounded. They are both credited as vocal producers on almost every track. This matters because it means the "Ariana sound"—that specific way she layers her harmonies—is present, but it’s disciplined by the needs of the character.
You don’t hear a lot of the typical "Ariana Grande" riffs that you’d find on Eternal Sunshine. Instead, she uses her head voice in a way that’s very traditional musical theater, but with a modern clarity. It’s a balance. Honestly, it’s probably the most technical singing she’s ever done on record.
What to Listen for in Part 2
While the first soundtrack was all about the "fun" and the "sparkle," the second half is where things get dark. "For Good" is obviously the big emotional payoff. It’s the song everyone waits for.
💡 You might also like: Ace of Base All That She Wants: Why This Dark Reggae-Pop Hit Still Haunts Us
In the film version, they kept the intro quite long—over two minutes of instrumental and atmospheric building before they even start singing. Some fans on Reddit complained it was "too slow," but if you’re watching the movie, that tension is necessary. When Ariana and Cynthia finally start those iconic harmonies, it hits way harder because of the wait.
"No Good Deed" is another one where the production went all out. It’s aggressive. It’s loud. It’s Elphaba’s breaking point. And Ariana’s presence in the reprise of "I’m Not That Girl" is just... oof. It’s short, but it’s a gut punch.
Final Take: Does It Live Up to the Hype?
Look, the Broadway purists will always have the 2003 recording. That’s fine. But what Ariana Grande and the cast have done here is create a version of Oz that feels lived-in. It doesn't feel like a cover album. It feels like a soundtrack to a world that actually exists.
If you’re a casual fan, start with "Popular" and "What Is This Feeling?" to get the vibe. If you’re a deep-diver, go straight for "Thank Goodness" and "The Girl in the Bubble." Those are the tracks where the real artistry happens.
To get the most out of your listening experience, try to find the "Commentary Edition" of the soundtrack. It features Stephen Schwartz and the cast talking about the specific choices they made for each song—like why they changed certain orchestrations or how they captured the "live" feel of the vocals during filming. It’s a great way to appreciate the sheer amount of work that went into making this more than just another movie musical.