“For Good” is one of the most emotional ballads from the hit Broadway musical Wicked, composed by Stephen Schwartz.
Performed by Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda), the duet serves as the heartfelt farewell between the two witches.
The song reflects on friendship, personal growth, and the lasting impact people leave on each other’s lives.
First performed in 2003, “For Good” quickly became an audience favorite and is often considered the emotional climax of Wicked.
Beyond the stage, it has been performed at graduations, farewells, and special events, resonating deeply with listeners for its universal message of gratitude and change.
“For Good” Lyrics by Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel (Wicked)
[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 a 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 handprint 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 skybird
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
[GLINDA & ELPHABA]
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
[GLINDA & ELPHABA]
And none of it seems to matter anymore
[GLINDA & ELPHABA]
Like a comet pulled from orbit (Like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes a sun (By a wind off the sea)
Like a stream that meets a boulder (Like a seed dropped by a bird)
Halfway through the wood (In the wood)
[GLINDA & ELPHABA]
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
[GLINDA & ELPHABA]
Because I knew you
I have been changed
For good
Wicked: Original Broadway Cast Recording (2003)
“For Good” is featured on the Wicked Original Broadway Cast Recording, released in 2003 by Decca Broadway Records.
The album features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, performed by the original cast led by Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda).
Tracklist & Notes
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History and Origin of the Song
“For Good” was written by composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz for the Broadway musical Wicked, which premiered in 2003.
Positioned near the end of the show, the duet between Elphaba and Glinda serves as their emotional farewell.
Unlike the show’s more theatrical numbers, “For Good” was intentionally crafted as an intimate ballad, focusing on personal reflection rather than spectacle.
Schwartz has explained that the song was inspired by his own experiences of saying goodbye to loved ones and recognizing the lasting influence people leave on one another.
In Wicked, it marks the culmination of the witches’ complex friendship, from rivalry to deep mutual respect.
Versions of “For Good”
Over the years, “For Good” has been performed in many memorable renditions, from the original Broadway cast to anniversary specials and touring productions. Each version highlights the song’s emotional power and enduring legacy.
1. Alyssa Fox & McKenzie Kurtz (2023 Broadway Cast)
Current Broadway stars Alyssa Fox (Elphaba) and McKenzie Kurtz (Glinda) bring a fresh, powerful energy to the song, loved by modern audiences.
2. Mary Kate Morrissey & Alexandra Socha
This touring pair delivered a heartfelt rendition, showing how Wicked’s message resonates deeply in every city it travels to.
3. Special Covers & Events
From choirs to celebrity tributes, “For Good” has been performed at graduations, memorials, and special concerts, reinforcing its cultural reach beyond Broadway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Did Stephen Schwartz Choose to Make “For Good” a Duet?
He wanted Elphaba and Glinda’s farewell to show both perspectives equally and highlight the balance in their friendship.
Is “For Good” Always Staged the Same Way?
No. Different productions adjust the tone. Some emphasize a tearful goodbye, while others lean into quiet acceptance.
Has the Song Been Performed in Special Events?
Yes. “For Good” has appeared in charity concerts, televised Broadway specials, and reunion performances beyond the stage.
Why Do Fans Connect to the Song Personally?
Its themes of change, gratitude, and parting resonate universally, making it popular at graduations, memorials, and weddings.
