Behind The Vocals: The Singer Behind 'For Good' In Wicked
For Good in Wicked is sung as a duet by Elphaba and Glinda, and in the 2025 film adaptation Wicked: For Good those parts are performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, respectively.
Who sings "For Good"
The song most people are asking about is the emotional closing duet For Good, written by Stephen Schwartz for the 2003 stage musical Wicked. On Broadway, the original vocals were recorded by Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, and that pairing helped make the song one of the show's signature moments. In the two-part film version, the roles are sung by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with the song appearing in Wicked: For Good, released on November 21, 2025.
Why the song matters
For Good is not a solo but a farewell duet, built as a reconciliation between the two witches after the emotional conflict at the center of the story. The lyrics focus on how friendship changes a person permanently, which is why the song became one of the most recognizable numbers in modern musical theater. Its lasting appeal has made it a common choice for graduations, memorials, and life milestones, where listeners use it as a song about gratitude and transformation.
Stage and film voices
The most important performers associated with For Good are the original Broadway singers and the film leads. The stage recording features Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, while the 2025 film adaptation features Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. That shift matters because each pair brings a different vocal color: the Broadway version is closely tied to the live theatrical tradition, while the film version was designed for cinema-scale emotional detail and newer orchestration.
| Version | Performer as Elphaba | Performer as Glinda | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Broadway cast | Idina Menzel | Kristin Chenoweth | 2003 stage musical recording |
| Film adaptation | Cynthia Erivo | Ariana Grande | Wicked: For Good (2025) |
| Special television performance | Cynthia Erivo | Ariana Grande | Wicked: One Wonderful Night aired November 6, 2025 |
Song history
The song was created by composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz for the Broadway production of Wicked, which opened in 2003 and became one of the most successful musicals of the 21st century. In the story, the duet arrives near the end of the narrative and serves as the emotional payoff for Elphaba and Glinda's relationship. The original cast recording helped cement the song's reputation, but the film version expanded its reach to a new global audience.
"For Good" is the kind of song that works because it feels intimate, but it lands like a life statement. Its power comes from the voices and the story at the same time.
Performance details
For Good is structured so that neither character dominates for long, which makes the duet feel like a conversation rather than a showcase. In the Broadway tradition, that balance was shaped by Menzel's rich belt and Chenoweth's crystalline soprano, while the film version leans into Erivo's grounded intensity and Grande's polished pop phrasing. That combination helped the 2025 soundtrack connect with both theater fans and mainstream pop listeners.
- The song is a duet between Elphaba and Glinda.
- The original Broadway cast recording features Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.
- The 2025 film version features Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
- The music and lyrics were written by Stephen Schwartz.
- The film adaptation Wicked: For Good was released on November 21, 2025.
Why people search this
Many people ask "who sings For Good in Wicked" because the song is so closely identified with a single emotional moment that it can feel like a solo, even though it is shared by two characters. Search interest also spikes around the movie versions, especially because the 2025 adaptation introduced a new cast to millions of viewers. The question usually has one of three answers depending on context: Broadway, film, or live special.
- For the original Broadway musical, the singers are Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.
- For the 2025 film Wicked: For Good, the singers are Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
- For televised promotional performances in 2025, the same film leads performed the song together.
FAQ
Listening guide
For Good works best when you listen for the way the two voices blend at the emotional peaks rather than treating it like a standard pop duet. The song's arrangement is deliberately restrained so the lyric "because I knew you" can carry the emotional weight. That restraint is part of why the number has stayed central to Wicked for more than two decades.
Key concerns and solutions for Behind The Vocals The Singer Behind For Good In Wicked
Who sings "For Good" in Wicked?
"For Good" is sung as a duet by Elphaba and Glinda; on Broadway that was Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, and in the 2025 film adaptation it is Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Is "For Good" a duet or a solo?
It is a duet, not a solo, and the song is written as a farewell conversation between the two witches.
Who wrote "For Good"?
Stephen Schwartz wrote both the music and lyrics for "For Good."
When was the film version released?
The film version of "For Good" appeared in Wicked: For Good, which was released on November 21, 2025.