This feeling, so sudden and new: Wicked Broadway songs ranked

Wicked is a gold star in theater history. One of the most iconic shows with an equally iconic soundtrack, it is one of the longest-running shows on Broadway and West End. Its original cast featured powerhouses like Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, so it's no surprise it produced one of the highest-rated soundtracks from a musical.

Here are some of the musical's crowning jewels.

Defying Gravity

Naturally, this song must feature on any Wicked playlist. It is one of the most famous songs from any musical and has been covered and featured numerous times across all platforms. Menzel's rendition set the standard for performances on a Broadway stage with unparalleled vocals and a beautifully emotional delivery. It's hard not to feel like you're defying gravity right alongside her anytime she performs this classic. And yet, each version of Elphaba has managed to deliver the track uniquely.

Popular

The perfect counter to Elphaba's soul-searching and soaring belts on Defying Gravity is Glinda's preppy, bubbly, and wonderfully comedic Popular. Once again, the original by Chenoweth is a masterstroke, showcasing the star's versatility both as an actress and a vocalist. The quirky lyrics and yodels peppered in make this one of the most enjoyable moments in the musical.

I'm Not That Girl

Right in the middle of Defying Gravity and Popular sits I'm Not That Girl, a tune where Elphaba accepts her role as the girl who never gets the happy ending destined for popular girls like Glinda. This isn't a song about feeling bitter or jealous but instead sees Elphaba steeling her heart so she does not make the mistake of hoping. It's a profoundly sad moment, one that a lot of people can relate to.

No Good Deed

The beauty and tragedy of Elphaba's story is that her attempts to seek good are often thwarted. No Good Deed is the witch in agony and is pure rage personified. She goes through the fear and grief of loss as she progresses toward unleashing her inner wicked. The track features some of the most dynamic music of the entire musical, mirroring Elphaba's emotional upheaval.

Thank Goodness

Early workshops for Wicked gave Glinda a meatier role, though some of it was pared down for the final stage version. One thing that didn't get cut was this song and we should all be so thankful. The track is Glinda's big moment where the usually cheerful character is forced to realize that sometimes, dreams and reality don't align. It delivers the core message of Wicked in a bittersweet way: that people are nuanced and hopeful, that things don't always go according to plan, that sometimes to win one must lose, and that staying true to oneself is often a pain-filled journey.

Honourable Mentions

What Is This Feeling is a surprising earworm on this album that allows both the audience and the actors to dive into the antagonistic relationship between Elphaba and Glinda. It also mirrors how society often pits women and girls against one another, something the track has come to represent increasingly over time. The Wizard and I is another gem from the album that sees a naive Elphaba yearning to be changed inside out so she can finally be accepted.

Embrace the emotional rollercoaster that is Wicked, now playing at the Gershwin Theater.