For Good by Elphaba & Glinda (Wicked: The Musical)

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Performed by: Elphaba & Glinda
Musical: Wicked

I recently watched the Beauty And The Beast musical in Singapore and my fellow companion hasn’t watched as many musicals as I had the fortune to. It was during the interval when we started discussing the new songs added into the musical and I was telling her that I wasn’t floored by the additional music but that they were not bad. Well, they were certainly not the worst.

I also shared with her that one of my favourite songs from a musical was sung in Wicked called For Good. And here’s why.

The lyrics.

There are people in our lives who leave footprints on our hearts. They impact the way we think and view things. They make us who we are. As recounted in my recent entry reflecting on the film What’s Your Number?, all my past relationships has taught me something about myself and has made me the woman I am today.

And to each of them I’d like to say ‘thank you.’

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

I truly do believe that everything happens for a reason. And that every person you cross paths with “come into our lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them, and we help them in return.”

Perhaps I’m way too optimistic and positive. But why not view past hurts that way? The hurt and injury has been inflicted. Nothing you can do to change that now. Instead of harping on the past negatively, we should all take stock of what has happened, and take comfort in the knowledge that it has helped us become better or at least changed for good.

(Elphaba)
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done, you blame me for
(Glinda)
But then, I guess we know
There’s blame to share
(Both)
And none of it seems to matter anymore

I also like the fact that both Elphaba and Glinda acknowledge that it takes two to clap. While it is possible in some situations that more blame can be assigned to one person over the other, but one can never be too sure what percentage of the blame should be assigned as it’s all a matter or perspective. And everyone’s perspective is unique.

This song truly humbles me and reminds me that every moment and step I took in the past put me on this current path I lead. And seeing how my life and I have turned out. I didn’t do so bad. And I hope those people I had hurt have managed to turn it around as well and become “changed for the better.”

For Good Lyrics:

(Elphaba)
I’m limited
Just look at me
I’m limited
And just look at you, you can do all I couldn’t do
Glinda
So now it’s up to you
For both of us
Now it’s up to you
(Glinda)
I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most, to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes the sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good
(Elphaba)
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a hand print on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
(Glinda)
Because I knew you
(Both):
I have been changed for good
(Elphaba)
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I’ve done, you blame me for
(Glinda)
But then, I guess we know
There’s blame to share
(Both)
And none of it seems to matter anymore
(Elphaba)
Like a comet pulled from orbit
Like a ship blown from its mooring (Glinda)
As it passes the sun
By a wind off the sea (Glinda)
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Like a seed dropped by a bird (Glinda)
Halfway through the wood
In the wood (Glinda)
(Both)
Who can say if I’ve been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better
(Glinda)
And because I knew you…
(Elphaba)
Because I knew you…
(Both)
Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good…

Clip of “Wicked” Original Broadway Cast:

It’s amazing how this snippet of the original cast singing For Good gets me all teary eyed. Every thing the song stands for hits me square in the face each time I listen to it. And I feel guilty and relieved all at the same time. Guilt, for hurting someone in my past. Relieved, because despite the fact that I had been hurt before, I have come out of it becoming a better person.

Final Thoughts:

Wicked is a musical you must see if you get the chance. Watching the musical will help you understand this song better and feel the full impact of what the lyrics conveys. However, even on its own, the lyrics are powerful and deserve the time of day.

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