Erivo’s ‘Wicked: For Good’ Song Echoes U.S. Political Division/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Wicked: For Good leans heavily into themes of resistance, injustice, and political awakening through two new original songs written by Stephen Schwartz. Cynthia Erivo’s “There’s No Place Like Home” and Ariana Grande’s “The Girl in the Bubble” reflect the emotional weight of a fractured society. Composer Schwartz says the lyrics were shaped by America’s evolving political climate.
Wicked’s Political Resonance: Quick Looks
- New film features two politically charged original songs
- “There’s No Place Like Home” explores betrayal by homeland
- Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba laments love for an unjust Oz
- Glinda awakens to privilege and complicity in “The Girl in the Bubble”
- Composer Stephen Schwartz wrote lyrics during the COVID pandemic
- Film directed by Jon M. Chu; stars Erivo and Grande
- Story reflects authoritarianism, censorship, and immigration themes
- Schwartz: U.S. feels “like a different country” today
- Songs now eligible for Best Original Song Oscars
- Wicked joins 2025 trend of political allegories in big-budget films
Deep Look: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Strikes Political Chords with New Songs by Stephen Schwartz
LOS ANGELES — When audiences return to theaters for Wicked: For Good, the sequel to the 2024 Broadway-inspired film, they’re not just stepping back into the magical world of Oz — they’re being invited to reflect on real-world issues of injustice, authoritarianism, and the emotional strain of loving a country that doesn’t always love you back.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked: For Good stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. This second installment of the Wicked saga has a darker, more urgent tone than its predecessor, as Elphaba confronts a society spiraling toward oppression.
Central to that shift are two new songs by composer Stephen Schwartz, who penned the original Broadway score. The standout track, “There’s No Place Like Home,” performed by Erivo, directly channels the disillusionment many Americans feel in 2025.
“Why do I love this place that’s never loved me?” Erivo sings, portraying a beloved but betrayed citizen of Oz.
Schwartz revealed in an interview with NBC News that the song was written during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time of deep social and political reckoning.
“No matter your politics,” said Schwartz, “America today feels vastly different than a decade ago. That sense of loss shaped the lyrics.”
A Country in Decline — and a Kingdom in Crisis
The film’s narrative mirrors troubling modern realities. Talking animals are caged, Munchkins are denied freedom of movement, and Oz itself teeters toward fascism — metaphors viewers have linked to immigration crackdowns and rising authoritarianism in the U.S.
Erivo’s song, Schwartz explained, is a love letter to a homeland in decline — a conflicted expression of loyalty and pain.
“When a place hasn’t treated you well, why do you still care? That’s the emotional question Elphaba — and many of us — are facing.”
Meanwhile, Ariana Grande’s Glinda has her own musical reckoning in the track “The Girl in the Bubble.” This song marks a turning point for Glinda, as she awakens to the injustices she’s ignored or enabled from a place of privilege.
“She can’t live with herself anymore,” Schwartz said of Glinda’s shift. “It’s about stepping out of denial and complicity.”
Unlike songs in the original Wicked film (which were ineligible for Oscars), both new tracks — written specifically for the screen — are possible Best Original Song contenders at the Academy Awards.
Wicked’s Long Political Shadow
The Wicked franchise has always invited political interpretation. L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel was seen by some as a critique of 1890s populism. The 1939 film came amid growing concern about Hitler’s rise, with its portrayal of a duplicitous ruler behind the curtain.
The 2003 Broadway adaptation, created by Schwartz and playwright Winnie Holzman, was partly a response to the aftermath of 9/11 and the Iraq War. The 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, which inspired the musical, emerged from his own reflections on war and morality during the Gulf War.
In Wicked: For Good, those themes are sharpened.
“This film asks: What does it mean to resist? How much risk are you willing to take?” said Schwartz.
Wicked’s Place in a Politically Conscious Hollywood
The film joins a slate of 2025 releases unafraid to engage with political metaphors:
- “One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros.) drew criticism for its portrayal of a radical leftist, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
- “Sinners” by Ryan Coogler reframes the vampire genre to explore racial injustice.
- Disney’s “Zootopia 2” takes on political polarization.
- “Avatar: Fire and Ash” (Dec. 19) confronts climate change head-on.
While Wicked’s creators have mostly let the songs speak for themselves, the film’s stars have gently hinted at deeper meanings. In an NBC special on Nov. 6, Erivo introduced one track with the words:
“In times like these, that feel so divided…”
Grande added:
“We want you all to know you’re never alone and you’re safe with us.”
Art, Activism, and the Role of Song
Schwartz sees these new compositions not just as narrative tools, but as emotional invitations.
“They’re about finding the courage to act when the world seems to be going in the wrong direction,” he said. “The real question is: What do we do with the grief, the anger, the loss?”
For Elphaba, and perhaps for audiences, the answer lies in speaking up — or singing out.
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