Popular
Chenoweth Kristin Lyrics


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Elphie, now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project!

You really don't have to do that

I know, that's what makes me so nice!

Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I,
And let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I?
My tender heart tends to start to bleed.
And when someone needs a makeover,
I simply have to take over!
I know, I know exactly what they need!

And even in your case,
Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face,
Don't worry, I'm determined to succeed!
Follow my lead,
And yes indeed, you will be

Popular!
You're gonna be popular!
I'll teach you the proper poise,
When you talk to boys,
Little ways to flirt and flounce,
Ooh!
I'll show you what shoes to wear!
How to fix your hair!
Everything that really counts to be...

Popular!
I'll help you be popular!
You'll hang with the right cohorts,
You'll be good at sports,
Know the slang you've got to know.
So let's start,
'Cause you've got an awfully long way to go!

Don't be offended by my frank analysis,
Think of it as personality dialysis,
Now that I've chosen to become a
Pal, a sister and advisor,
There's nobody wiser!
Not when it comes to

Popular!
I know about popular.
And with an assist from me,
To be who you'll be,
Instead of dreary who you were
Well, are.
There's nothing that can stop you,
From becoming popu-ler... lar

La la, la la!
We're gonna make you pop-you-lar!

When I see depressing creatures,
With unprepossessing features,
I remind them on their own behalf
To - think - of
Celebrated heads of state,
Or specially great communicators!
Did they have brains or knowledge?
Don't make me laugh!

They were popular!
Please!
It's all about popular.
It's not about aptitude,
It's the way you're viewed,
So it's very shrewd to be,
Very very popular
Like me!

Why, Miss Elphaba, look at you. You're beautiful!

I, I have to go

You're welcome

And though you protest,
Your disinterest,
I know clandestinely,
You're gonna grin and bear it!
Your new found popularity!
Aah!

La la, la la!




You'll be popular!
Just not quite as popular as me!

Overall Meaning

The song "Popular" from the musical Wicked is sung by Kristin Chenoweth's character, Glinda, and is meant to be a satirical take on popularity and the lengths people will go to achieve it. In the song, she takes Elphaba, played by Idina Menzel, under her wing and claims she will make her popular. She offers to teach her how to interact with boys, how to dress, how to do her hair, and to be part of the right social circle. However, the song also has a deeper meaning as it examines the idea of conformity and the lengths people will go to fit in with the crowd.


The lyrics are full of irony and sarcasm as Glinda portrays herself as a benevolent and kind person when in reality she is only interested in furthering her own popularity. She believes that popularity can be achieved through appearances and social status and is blind to the fact that true popularity comes from accepting oneself and being kind to others regardless of their social standing. This is evident in the line, "It's not about aptitude, it's the way you're viewed," where she emphasizes that what matters is the perception of others rather than one's own abilities or personality.


The song also touches on the concept of identity and the pressure people feel to conform to societal expectations. Throughout the song, Glinda is trying to mold Elphaba into a more socially acceptable version of herself, which ultimately leads to her rejecting her true identity. Although popularity is often viewed as a desirable trait, the song suggests that it is more important to be true to oneself rather than constantly striving for acceptance from others.


Line by Line Meaning

Elphie, now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project!
I have decided to give you a makeover and make you popular.


You really don't have to do that
Elphie doesn't want to be made popular.


I know, that's what makes me so nice!
Galinda thinks she is nice because she is doing a favor by making her popular.


Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I, And let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I? My tender heart tends to start to bleed. And when someone needs a makeover, I simply have to take over! I know, I know exactly what they need!
Galinda helps people who are less popular than her by making them popular with a makeover.


And even in your case, Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face, Don't worry, I'm determined to succeed! Follow my lead, And yes indeed, you will be Popular!
Galinda is determined to make Elphie popular and wants her to follow her lead.


You're gonna be popular! I'll teach you the proper poise, When you talk to boys, Little ways to flirt and flounce, Ooh! I'll show you what shoes to wear! How to fix your hair! Everything that really counts to be... Popular!
Galinda explains how she will make Elphie popular by teaching her tips on how to attract boys, including how to behave, how to dress, and how to style her hair.


I'll help you be popular! You'll hang with the right cohorts, You'll be good at sports, Know the slang you've got to know. So let's start, 'Cause you've got an awfully long way to go!
Galinda will help Elphie become friends with the popular group and teach her how to be better at sports and slang to make her popular.


Don't be offended by my frank analysis, Think of it as personality dialysis, Now that I've chosen to become a Pal, a sister and advisor, There's nobody wiser! Not when it comes to Popular!
Galinda tries to justify her makeover offer as her being a friend and advisor to Elphie with the intention of making her popular.


I know about popular. And with an assist from me, To be who you'll be, Instead of dreary who you were Well, are. There's nothing that can stop you, From becoming popu-ler... lar La la, la la! We're gonna make you pop-you-lar!
Galinda believes that with her help, anyone can become popular regardless of their social status, and she is going to make Elphie popular no matter what.


When I see depressing creatures, With unprepossessing features, I remind them on their own behalf To - think - of Celebrated heads of state, Or specially great communicators! Did they have brains or knowledge? Don't make me laugh! They were popular!
Galinda encourages people with low self-esteem to think about some great people who were popular without having any intelligence or knowledge.


It's all about popular. It's not about aptitude, It's the way you're viewed, So it's very shrewd to be, Very very popular Like me!
Galinda believes that being popular is not about intelligence or talent, but how you are viewed by others, and that's why it's clever to be popular.


Why, Miss Elphaba, look at you. You're beautiful!
Galinda is proud of Elphie's new look after her makeover.


I, I have to go You're welcome
Galinda takes leave, and Elphie is left alone.


And though you protest, Your disinterest, I know clandestinely, You're gonna grin and bear it! Your new found popularity! Aah!
Galinda believes that Elphie is pretending to be disinterested in being popular, but secretly, she may enjoy it.


La la, la la! You'll be popular! Just not quite as popular as me!
Galinda emphasizes that Elphie will be popular after her makeover, but not as popular as she is.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@joynotjoyce9400

I know this sounds silly but it’s just utterly amazing how they don’t even miss a beat. Someday, I want to work on Broadway. (I’m 13) In my drama lessons I’m confident in acting and always get my lines on point and that includes my singing but I dance like a mammoth with 4 left feet 😔 This is my favourite musical by far but I’m gonna need to practice tremendously hard if I’m gonna top the level of that. Wish me luck plz

Edit! Nobody is gonna see this but Okay wtf. It’s literally been 3 years since I’ve commented this and looking back it’s kinda cringe lmfao. But honestly, thank you so much for the support!!! I’ve read through every single one of them and I’m kinda tearing up lol. For those of you who want an update; I’m 16 now. Results day for my GCSEs is in a week and guess what…I GOT A PLACE IN DRAMA COLLEGE. Bro I feel like my dreams are coming true rn and the love and reassurance from u guys really helped. Again, thank you guys so so much and I wish each and every one of u a good life.

Another update: I passed my GCSE’s!!!!!

Love, Joy <3

Another update!: I decided to go to film school instead. It’s been a month of school so far and I already have A LOT of film projects coming up. Look out for me in the end credits!!! 😉😉😉

Love, Joy <3



@giannanotgio

Popular!
You're gonna be popular!
I'll teach you the proper ploys
When you talk to boys
Little ways to flirt and flounce

I'll show you what shoes to wear
How to fix your hair
Everything that really counts
To be popular

I'll help you be popular!
You'll hang with the right cohorts
You'll be good at sports
Know the slang you've got to know

So let's start
'Cause you've got an awfully long way to go

Don't be offended by my frank analysis
Think of it as personality dialysis
Now that I've chosen to be come a pal, a sister and adviser
There's nobody wiser
Not when it comes to popular

I know about popular
And with an assist from me
To be who you'll bee
Instead of dreary who-you-were, well are
There's nothing that can stop you
From becoming popu-ler, lar

La la la la
We're gonna make you popular

When I see depressing creatures
With unprepossessing features
I remind them on their own behalf
To think of

Celebrated heads of state or
Specially great communicators
Did they have brains or knowledge?
Don't make me laugh!

They were popular! Please
It's all about popular!
It's not about aptitude
It's the way you're viewed
So it's very shrewd to be
Very very popular like me!

Why, Miss Elphaba, Look at you
You're beautiful
(I, I have to go)
You're welcome!

And though you protest
Your disinterest
I know clandestinely
You're gonna grin and bear it
Your new found popularity

La la la la
You'll be popular
Just not as quite as popular as me!



All comments from YouTube:

@pluggedin-the-ratbird

I don't know how they could sing this night after night without bursting into laughter.

@m.e.a.9340

pluggedin-the-ratbird III

@morgan4503

pluggedin-the-ratbird me too

@LittleKitty11

That's probably why they didn't burst into laughter haha

@Amira-nl2gr

I mean, that's what acting is about xD

@wayverleesoulsong

It takes lots of dedication

60 More Replies...

@livchapman5820

Kirsten Chenoworth (don't know how to spell it) was so perfect for this role this video always has me in stitches

@CelebrityNerds

Ikr

@evaorlitova3931

Liv Chapman You're so right!!! And it's Kristin Chenoweth btw, but I agree with you!

@jeannettebennett9959

it's Kristin Chenoweth

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