Find the complete lyrics for “For Good” from the Wicked soundtrack. Perfect for singalongs and karaoke, the duet by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande features a heartfelt exchange between Elphaba and Glinda.
The lyrics for “For Good” from the Wicked soundtrack present a heartfelt dialogue between Elphaba and Glinda. This duet serves as the emotional climax of the story, a moment of reconciliation and mutual recognition between the two friends. The lyrics begin with a spoken exchange that establishes the scene, moving quickly into the song’s core theme of transformative friendship. The lines capture a deep sense of gratitude and permanent change, with each character acknowledging the other’s impact on their life.
wicked for good – the soundtrack
The lyrics use simple yet powerful imagery, comparing their influence to natural forces like a comet passing a sun or a stream meeting a boulder. These metaphors make the song’s message universally relatable for listeners. The structure is a conversation, allowing both characters to express their perspectives before uniting in harmony on the iconic final refrain. The lyrics avoid resolving the question of whether the change was “for the better,” instead focusing on the undeniable fact that change occurred. This lyrical depth has made the song a favorite for performances and a staple for fans of musical theater. The new recording by Erivo and Grande offers a fresh interpretation of these beloved lyrics, providing a new reference for singalongs and karaoke sessions.
Produced by Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Mark Platt, Marisa Torbert, Stephen Schwartz, Greg Wells, Marisa Torbert & Stephen Oremus
November 21, 2025
1 song, 6 minutes
This Compilation ℗ 2025 Universal Studios and Republic Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. and Verve Label Group, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc
Lyrics
[ELPHABA]
I’m limited
[ELPHABA, spoken]
Just look at me
Not with your eyes, with theirs
[ELPHABA]
I’m limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn’t do, Glinda
[ELPHABA, spoken]
Here, take it
[GLINDA, spoken]
What? But you know I, I can’t read this, I—
[ELPHABA, spoken]
Well, you have to learn
[ELPHABA]
Because 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
