"For Good" from Wicked the Musical
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Behind the Scenes Story - get Stephen Schwartz's autograph
Sometimes people call this song from the hit Broadway musical Wicked "Because I Knew You" or "Changed For Good."
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU...
I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD.
by Stephen Schwartz (copyrighted)
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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...
[She gives Glinda the Grimmerie. Glinda: "Elphie, you know I can't read this. Elphaba: Well, then--you'll have to learn.]
Because now it's up to you
For both of us--
Now it's up to you
ELPHABA
[spoken - You're the only friend I've ever had.
GLINDA
And I've had so many friends. But only one-- that mattered.]
(sings)
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...
BOTH
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU
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
___
[They sing simultaneously]
GLINDA
LIKE A COMET PULLED FROM
ORBIT/AS IT PASSES A SUN/
LIKE A STREAM THAT MEETS A
BOULDER/ HALF-WAY
THROUGH THE WOOD
ELPHABA
LIKE A SHIP BLOWN OFF ITS
MOORING/BY A WIND OFF THE
SEA/ LIKE A SEED DROPPED BY A
BIRD IN
THE WOOD
___
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.
Lyrics from the script, used with permission - protected by copyright.
Behind-the-scenes story about Wicked "For Good"
In the Stephen Schwartz biography Defying Gravity: The Creative Career of Stephen Schwartz, from Godspell to Wicked, you will find the full story of "For Good," including photographs of Schwartz's daughter Jessica and her friend Sarah who inspired the song's lyrics, many photos from Wicked, and 150 pages of behind-the-scenes stories on the making of the musical. Autographed copies signed by Stephen Schwartz are available. Defying Gravity - READ MORE ABOUT IT and where to get it.
Stephen Schwartz considers "For Good" from Wicked one of the best songs he's written. Here's what Schwartz says about "For Good":
"The song 'For Good' was, of course, written for the show to try to express the leading characters' feelings as they are seeing each other for the last time. The title came out of a brainstorming conversation I had with Winnie Holzman (the book writer) -- basically at one point she said it should be about how the two of them had changed each other 'for good', at which point, hearing the amazing possibilities in that phrase, I knew I had found the title for the song.
"To get some of the content, I had a long conversation with my daughter, in which I asked her what she would say to her best friend (someone she has known pretty much all her life), if she knew she was never going to see her again. A lot of what Jessie said got transformed into the first verse of the song. Other than that, it was simply trying to put myself into the hearts and minds of the characters and see what they said."
Wicked "For Good" sheet music
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Sheet music instant downloads: "For Good" piano/vocal selections - melody in piano part
For choral versions see "For Good" choral, etc.
For more Wicked sheet music: Get WICKED Sheet Music
Recordings of "For Good" from Wicked
To celebrate the fifth Broadway anniversary of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, Decca Broadway released a two-CD recording Oct. 28. This CD includes two versions of "For Good" - one from the cast album with Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel; another bonus track pop duet version by stars LeAnn Rimes and Delta Goodrem BUY Wicked: 5th Anniversary Special Edition
Wicked Original Broadway Cast album: Wicked musical - Amazon.com $13.49 (List price $18.98). Hear Wicked song clips. Sung by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.
"For Good"
Enjoy "For Good" with acoustic guitar, folksong Style, sung by Rachel Bay Jones. Hear the song on Rachel Bay Jones - Showfolk
Wicked Composer Stephen Schwartz sings "For Good"
If I Sing: The Songwriters Album
Inspired (Standards - Good For The Soul)
"For Good" NEW: WICKED'S COMPOSER-LYRICIST SINGS "FOR GOOD": In Good Company
Carol's review: Track 11 "For Good" is the most nuanced, beautiful, and subtle performance of the song ever. And from two guys - who knew?! Along with beautiful violins and piano accompaniment, Stephen introduced subtle musical variations with this performance.
Testimonial comments about the influence of "For Good" from Wicked
Susan F. of Dallas, TX:
I, as a single parent, raised my daughter alone from the age of 5. She is now in her 30s and because we are very different from each other, we continue to learn so much from each other. As we heard "For Good" in Wicked live at the Dallas Music Hall in Fair Park, on the opening note I grabbed her hand and as we glanced at each other with tears welling in our eyes, we knew this was to be "our song" forever. I have been changed for good.
From Barbie of Michigan:
I love Wicked so much, and I'm sure that you get that in all of your emails. I had the glorious opportunity to see it in Chicago at the Oriental Theatre. It was fantastic. I have such a love for these songs. "For Good" especially has touched me deeply, because my best friend and I sang that duet for our baccalaureate this past June when we graduated from High School. It really means a lot to me, because the lyrics are so close to my heart. You truly have a masterpiece here. This one is going to be a favorite of my family for as long as I can make it.
Paula B of Madison, WI:
I just recently have falling in love with the music in the show. I have been a fan of Mr Schwartz since Godspell. This is his best by far. My favorite's are No One Mourns the Wicked, What is This Feeling, Defying Gravity and For Good. The last 2 bring tears to my eye's, the interaction between Idina Menzel & Kristen Chenoweth is so powerful. I've been walking around for days, just in awe, of the scope and sheer beauty of the music and the story.
Krystal of Mesa, AZ
I just have to say that Wicked's "For Good" is so powerful and touching every time I hear it or even think about it. Two of my best friends sang this song for our baccalaureate when we graduated from Mesa High School in 2004 and I have loved it ever since. It sums up everything that I feel for all of my family and friends. I do believe that people come into our lives for a reason, and every time we interact, our lives are changed forever.
Deborah M. Redlands, CA
I recently attended the L.A. performance of Wicked in April 2007 at the Pantages. When the song 'For Good' was performed, I was reminded particularly of my two dear parents who died within 5 months of each other last year. For many years I considered my mother to be my best friend, but as she wandered into the mist of Alzheimers and as my dad cared for her, our relationship changed. Even though my siblings and I came to have "parental" roles toward our parents, their influence was strong in my life and the beautiful lyrics of this song expressed that so well. I wish I could have expressed as poignantly what they meant to me before they passed away.
From Mindy of Pittsburgh, PA:
I played for a memorial service yesterday for my friend/co-worker's 22-year-old daughter, Danielle. 'Dannie' loved to sing and had been involved in several performance groups during her high school and college years. Some young adults who had sung with her during high school came and sang for the memorial service. One of the songs they sang was "For Good." It was perhaps the most touching moment of the entire service. No doubt it was very difficult for Dannie's friends to get through the song without choking up, but I'm sure they felt compelled to sing out of love for their friend. This was the first time I had ever heard "For Good," and it was perfect for the occasion. It was a beautiful tribute to a young woman who will be dearly missed.
From Robert, Brisbane, Australia
A couple of years ago, I fell deeply in love with someone who was able to help me deal with some things from my past, and gave me new tools to deal with the present / future. The great thing was that I was able to do exactly the same for her. We'd both found someone who proved that the type of relationship we'd hoped for (and been told doesn't exist) is possible. She'd often said that we'd been brought together for a reason and about 6 months later, soon after discussing marriage, she realised that she didn't need/want me anymore. Its taken me a long time to work through the rejection and my forgiveness with her. This song so perfectly captures the sentiment of our journey. By recognising the pain, and sanctifying it with forgiveness and recognition of the value of the past relations, I can release us both to move forward to new futures - having been changed for good (and the better).
From Leslie of Thousand Oaks, CA and regarding her friend Cassie of Simi Valley:
I just saw Wicked with my best friend the other night [in Los Angeles]. We are both special education teachers and have been friends for about 10 years. We can not begin to tell you how much this musical meant to us. We laughed and we cried through out the entire play. As best friends it meant so much to us. We call each other all the time while we play the sound track behind us. We keep playing "For Good" over and over. When this song was being performed we held hands and we both felt the power of our forever friendship. The kind of friendship that because we have known each other we are changed for good.
From Dana W. of New Orleans:
That song reminds of a great friend who came into my life when I really needed one, and that I feel like she has changed my life for good. She adds so much to my life and that song--everytime I hear it I think of her and tears roll down my face. In fact I am going to see Wicked with her (the second time for me; first for her) and she knows how much I love it. So I can not wait to go with her. She is my angel!
From Robyn R. of Las Vegas, NV
My family just celebrated my Mom's 70th Birthday this past weekend. My sisters asked me if I could prepare a writing or a poem for her but when I heard "For Good" I knew that was it!! How could I compare to the powerful meaning and words this song holds. I asked my daughter to create a DVD of family and friends to this song and without very little editing all the pictures just fell into place. It brought tears and goosebumps to all that watched it and listened to the words.
Does "For Good" sum up the particular relationship of Elphaba and Glinda as well as transcend it?
From Gregory Maguire, Wicked novelist, about Wicked the musical song "For Good": "The first time I heard Kristin and Idina sing 'For Good' at a sing-through performance in New York City, I was amazed at how much feeling they could put into their voices in the first verse--but then we got to the bridge, and I heard where the singers had been heading "And just to clear the air / I ask forgiveness..." For a story and a score that provides such canny humor and slyness to be willing--and able--to state such bald human emotions without shame or prevarication--well, it is a deeply successful moment in the score, I think, and if the song had sidestepped the direct voice right there, the entire production would have been weakened."
Read all about Wicked the Musical - index to 50 Wicked-related pages.
