For Good
Idina Menzel / Kristin Chenoweth Lyrics
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Just look at me
I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do
Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us
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 the 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
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 rewritten mine
By being my friend
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done, you blame me for
But then I guess
We know there's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore
Like a comet pulled from orbit (like a ship blown from its mooring)
As it passes the 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)
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
I do believe I have been changed for the better
And because I knew you
Because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed
For good
The song begins with the character of Elphaba saying that she is limited, and pointing out the differences between herself and Glinda. She acknowledges that Glinda has the ability to do all the things she can't, and that it's now up to her to make use of these abilities. The two then engage in a back-and-forth about the ways in which they have impacted each other's lives, and how they've been changed for the better because of their friendship. They acknowledge that they may never meet again, but that they will always carry the lessons they learned from each other with them. Elphaba asks for forgiveness and acknowledges that there is blame to share, but ultimately, the message of the song is one of gratitude and appreciation for the transformative power of friendship.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm limited
I am not capable of doing everything I want to do
Just look at me
I am not physically or mentally capable of achieving all that I want to achieve
And just look at you
You are capable of doing everything that I am not able to do
You can do all I couldn't do
You have the ability to excel where I fall short
So now it's up to you
You are now responsible for achieving what I couldn't
For both of us
Our success and growth is reliant on each other
I've heard it said
It has been suggested
That people come into our lives
Individuals cross our paths
For a reason
With purpose, intention, and significance
Bringing something we must learn
They offer us valuable lessons and experiences needed for personal growth
And we are led to those
We are guided towards individuals
Who help us most to grow if we let them
Those who challenge us to grow and develop, if we are receptive to their guidance
And we help them in return
We also offer something of value to them
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
I am unsure if that is an absolute truth
But I know I'm who I am today
I am aware that my current self is a result of my experiences and relationships
Because I knew you
You have played a significant role in shaping who I am today
Like a comet pulled from orbit
Just as a comet is affected by the gravitational pull of a planet
As it passes the sun
And is propelled by the sun's thermal radiation
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Similar to how a stream is redirected when it collides with a rock
Halfway through the wood
In the midst of a path or journey
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
It is uncertain if these changes have been positive, negative or neutral
But because I knew you
I attribute these changes to my relationship with you
I have been changed for good
I have been changed for the better
It well may be
It is entirely plausible
That we will never meet again
It is probable that our paths will never cross again
In this lifetime
During our time on earth
So, let me say before we part
Before we separate, I want to express
So much of me
A significant portion of who I am
Is made of what I learned from you
Is attributed to the lessons and experiences you provided me
You'll be with me
Your impact on me will continue to be present throughout my life
Like a handprint on my heart
Your influence on me is indelible, much like a handprint cannot be erased from a surface
And now whatever way our stories end
Regardless of how our lives unfold and diverge from this point forward
I know you have rewritten mine
Your influence on my life has been significant enough to alter the trajectory of my story
By being my friend
Simply by being in my life and offering your support and guidance
Like a ship blown from its mooring
Like a boat that becomes detached from its anchor and drifts away
By a wind off the sea
Affected by forces beyond its control
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
The way a bird drops a seed may result in its germination and presence in an unexpected location
In a distant wood
Somewhere far from its origin
I do believe I have been changed for the better
I am convinced that I have grown and improved as a result of our relationship
And just to clear the air
To remove any doubts, uncertainties, or tension
I ask forgiveness
I apologize
For the things I've done, you blame me for
I take responsibility for the actions that have impacted you negatively
But then I guess
However, it is also true
We know there's blame to share
Our relationship was reciprocal, and we both have played a role in what has transpired
And none of it seems to matter anymore
The past is less consequential than our current understanding and appreciation of each other's impact on our lives
Because I knew you
Because I had the privilege of a relationship with you
I have been changed for good
I have grown and advanced in ways I never would have without your influence, guidance, and friendship
Lyrics Š Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Lawrence Schwartz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BoosterHunter100
Kristin Chenoweth and Indina Menzel are the best Elphaba and Glinda to ever graced broadway. These two need to be in the Wicked Movie!
@chloem665
Dunkirk I think they might be
@Potterholic1
That would be totally "wicked" but unless one or the other is cast as Madam Morrible, it will not be.
@JaySmith_
Stephanie J Block climax in defying gravity outsold idina's whole run as Elphie. I STAN IDINA. but stephanie j block is the best elphie
'
@drangedhermit1
@@JaySmith_ So, because of one actress's performance in one part of one song: said actress is better? I'm not saying one actress is better than another but judging one's performance because of a minute part of the musical is ridiculous.
@marinali1094
C.J. Mancini well I mean idina did have some tuff vocal damage after performing as Elphie and there were other actresses who played elphie that didnât suffer from vocal damage, suggesting that their practices were healthier, and âbetter.â Idina is an amazing actress but there were others who seemed to perform the role just as, if not even more better than idina.
@ellewinnifred2449
NERD ALERT: throughout the show, it's been Galinda/Glinda singing the higher parts and Elphaba singing the lower harmonies and melodies. In a song where they have "changed for good" their singing parts are reversed. I always thought that was neat.
@Emmarodriguez91101
Iâve noticed this!!
@lynnmurrayactress
I noticed too.
@RedShingami55
Elle Winnifred God, SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT.