There’s something about the Wicked soundtrack coming up at the tail end of the year and sneaking into our Spotify Wrapped playlists that just doesn’t do the album justice. I know in a couple weeks’ time, it will have taken over most of the top positions in my rankings at least. Let’s be real, it will probably have a bigger year on everyone’s Wrapped rankings by the release of Wicked: Part Two.
With that in mind, we’re needle-dropping Wicked Part One’s music featuring Ariana Grande as Galinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, whose witchy frenemy romance propels the hit musical film. If you’re in the same (theater) camp as those of us who have watched the film multiple times already, there’s already a setlist of the tracks we listen to when not sitting inside Nicole Kidman’s AMC church. Like it or not there’s faves and not so faves, but good on you if you consider it to be a no-skips album. However, here are our rankings from forgettable to favorite earworms from the Wicked soundtrack.
“A Sentimental Man” – Jeff Goldblum
Okay, we have to say it… whisper singing isn’t good. Love Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, but verbally slowing down this already least-played entry on the musical soundtrack makes it all the more drawn out for exposition purposes, right when the action is about to get going.
“Something Bad” – Peter Dinklage and Cynthia Erivo
What balances this one out is Cynthia Erivo’s singing. Yet, this first act number is definitely our first bathroom and snack break when re-watching it in the theater. Obviously important to sit through the first go ’round for important exposition purposes. There’s nothing all that baaaad about it.
“Dear Old Shiz” – Shiz University Choir, Ariana Grande, and Wicked Cast
It’s giving magic school upgrade; we needed more of them. I cannot wait to walk through a Universal Studios theme park and hear this performed live. And Grande’s note ate.
“No One Mourns the Wicked” – Ariana Grande and Wicked Cast
We mourn the Wicked. Love the word play here with the crowds chanting “No one mourns the Wicked” and Ariana Grande singing “No, one mourns the Wicked,” and the two meanings at play with Glinda’s high notes hit so hard as the story begins to unfold.
