You've probably been there—sitting in the dark, waiting for that first massive chord of the Overture to hit. Whether you’re a Broadway purist who saw Idina Menzel back in the day or a newcomer who just caught Cynthia Erivo on the big screen, the wicked act 1 songs are basically the DNA of modern musical theater. But there’s a lot more going on under the hood of Stephen Schwartz’s score than just catchy melodies and high notes.
It’s honestly kind of wild how much heavy lifting the first half of the show does. It’s not just a bunch of tunes; it’s a masterclass in musical storytelling that somehow manages to make a green-skinned girl and a perky blonde into the most relatable duo in pop culture.
The Opening That Flips the Script
Most stories start at the beginning. Wicked starts at the end. "No One Mourns the Wicked" is a massive, choral gut-punch that basically asks the audience to celebrate a death. It’s loud, it’s triumphant, and it’s deeply uncomfortable once you realize what’s actually happening. Glinda (or Galinda, at this point) descends in her bubble, and while the Ozians are busy "rejoicifying," she’s dropping hints that maybe, just maybe, things aren't as black and white as they seem.
Schwartz uses this opening to establish the "Unlimited" motif—a four-note theme that’s a direct nod to "Over the Rainbow." It’s a bit of musical irony that most people miss on the first listen.
Then we get "Dear Old Shiz." It’s short. It’s nostalgic. It’s basically a fake school anthem that sets the stage for the flashback where the real story begins. We see Elphaba for the first time, and the contrast between the students' harmonious singing and their immediate rejection of her is... well, it's pretty brutal.
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The "I Want" Song and the Loathing Duet
If you want to understand Elphaba, you have to listen to "The Wizard and I." This is the classic musical theater "I Want" song, but with a tragic twist. She’s so hopeful. She thinks the Wizard is going to see her "un-de-greenified" and finally love her. Knowing where the story goes makes lyrics like "And I'll be so happy, I could melt" feel like a punch to the stomach.
Then comes the fan favorite. "What Is This Feeling?"
Honestly, this song is a stroke of genius. It starts out like a typical "love at first sight" ballad and then pivots immediately into "unadulterated loathing." It’s the moment Elphaba and Glinda’s rivalry is cemented, backed by a chorus of students who are—let’s be real—mostly just being mean to Elphaba because it’s the cool thing to do.
A Quick Reality Check on the Setlist
While the order stays mostly the same between the stage and the movie, the 2024 film adaptation by Jon M. Chu expanded some of these moments significantly.
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- "Something Bad": In the stage show, it’s a quick scene with Dr. Dillamond. In the movie, it’s a more atmospheric, tense moment featuring Peter Dinklage’s voice that really drives home the political rot in Oz.
- "Dancing Through Life": This is where Fiyero enters. On stage, it’s a big dance number at the Ozdust Ballroom. In the movie, it’s an even larger spectacle. It’s the turning point where the girls' relationship starts to thaw because of a certain black hat.
- "Popular": Glinda’s signature. Ariana Grande took the torch from Kristin Chenoweth here, adding her own comedic timing. It’s bubbly, it’s vapid, and it’s secretly the moment where Glinda tries—in her own misguided way—to help.
The Heartbreak and the Hype
Before we get to the big one, there’s "I'm Not That Girl." It’s a quiet, devastating ballad. Elphaba realizes she’s falling for Fiyero, but she’s already convinced herself that a girl like her doesn't get the guy. It’s the most vulnerable moment in the first act, and it’s usually where the audience starts reaching for the tissues.
After that, the pace picks up. "One Short Day" is a literal tourist anthem for the Emerald City. It’s bright, it’s green, and it features some of the most intricate choral work in the show. If you listen closely, you can hear the "Unlimited" motif woven into the background, reminding us that Elphaba’s destiny is looming.
Then we meet the man himself. "A Sentimental Man" is the Wizard’s introduction. It’s meant to sound warm and fatherly, but Jeff Goldblum (or Joel Grey in the original cast) brings a layer of "something’s not right here" to the performance. It’s the calm before the storm.
Defying Gravity: The Culture Shifter
You can’t talk about wicked act 1 songs without the behemoth that is "Defying Gravity." It’s more than just a song; it’s a cultural landmark. This is the moment Elphaba stops trying to fit in and decides to burn the system down. The technical demands are insane—the actress has to belt over a massive orchestra while often being hoisted 20 feet into the air.
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In the movie version, this sequence was stretched out to nearly 12 minutes to include the escape from the Wizard’s palace and a more cinematic build-up. But the core remains the same: that final, soaring "battle cry" that closes the act.
What to Do Next
If you're planning a Wicked marathon or heading to the theater, here’s how to get the most out of the Act 1 score:
- Listen for the "Unlimited" motif: See how many times you can spot those first four notes of "Over the Rainbow" hidden in other songs. It’s everywhere once you hear it.
- Compare the Casts: Listen to the Original Broadway Cast recording (Menzel/Chenoweth) side-by-side with the Movie Soundtrack (Erivo/Grande). The orchestrations in the movie are much fuller and more cinematic, but the stage version has a raw, live energy that’s hard to beat.
- Watch the Lyrics: Look for the foreshadowing. Lines about "melting" or "the wicked workings of you-know-who" hit differently when you know the ending of Act 2.
The first act ends on a high note—literally—leaving you breathless. But it also sets up every single heartbreak that’s coming in the second half.