Wicked is a musical fundamentally about the evolution of friendship—and no song in the score encompasses that more than “For Good.” Written by composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz, the duet sees Glinda and Elphaba express the profound impact their complicated friendship has had on one another as they part ways forever.
So it’s no wonder the heartfelt farewell is the title of the film adaptation’s sequel, Wicked: For Good, which arrives in theaters November 21. Much like the stage musical, the movie ends with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s emotional rendition of the song, followed by a full ensemble reprise.
But the origin of “For Good” stems from more than just the musical’s lead characters—it’s inspired by a real-life friendship that hits close to home for Schwartz.
How Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman Came Up With “For Good”
When Wicked was adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel for its Broadway debut in 2003, Schwartz, 77, avoided writing the finale song for a “long time” because of how integral it is to the show’s plot and emotional message. “I knew that it was the key to the show and that if we solved this song, we had the show,” he said in an interview on the musical’s YouTube channel in May 2011. “And if we didn’t solve the song, it didn’t matter what else we did in the show.”
To get the ball rolling, the Grammy and Oscar winner had a brainstorming session with Wicked playwright Winnie Holzman, who inadvertently came up with the song’s title and refrain. “At one point she just said in the conversation, ‘Well, you know, they have had such an impact on one another. Really they have changed each other for good,’” Schwartz recalled.
Hearing this phrase gave Schwartz the jumpstart he needed, but it was his daughter, Jessica, who helped add more substance to the song.
How Stephen Schwartz’s Daughter Inspired the Lyrics of “For Good”
In an episode of the Spark & Fire: Fuel Your Creativity podcast in January 2023, Schwartz revealed that he consulted Jessica about her own complicated friendship with a girl named Sarah, whom she had known since she was a kid. Armed with a notepad and pencil, he asked her what she would say to Sarah if she knew she would never see her again.
“People who are important to you come into your life for a reason, and sometimes you don’t know what that is right away,” Jessica responded.
As Schwartz wrote down her answer, he incorporated some rhymes, which later turned into the song’s first verse, in which Glinda sings: “I’ve heard it said / That people come into our lives / For a reason, bringing something we must learn.” The composer decided to turn the song into a duet so Glinda and Elphaba could tell each other how they felt as they said goodbye.
Often described as a tear-jerker, “For Good” has long resonated with audiences due to its emotional message about the lasting and meaningful impact that friendships can have on our lives. Schwartz credits his daughter for helping to inspire this message. “I’ve always thought that one of the reasons that song has as much impact as it seems to is that it’s true,” he said.
When and Where to Watch Wicked: For Good
Wicked: For Good, starring Erivo as Elphaba and Grande as Glinda, hits theaters on November 21. You can stream Wicked: Part I now on Amazon Prime Video.
Catherine Caruso joined the Biography.com staff in August 2024, having previously worked as a freelance journalist for several years. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she studied English literature. When she’s not working on a new story, you can find her reading, hitting the gym, or watching too much TV.
