Finale
Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel Lyrics

The lyrics to Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel's song Finale in the Broadway musical Wicked convey a powerful message about the cost of achieving power and the impact it can have on those left behind. The first few lines - "No one mourns the wicked, now at last she's dead and gone" - express the idea that when those in power fall, whether they were deserving of that power or not, they will not be mourned. This is a direct reference to the story's main antagonist, the Wicked Witch of the West, who has been defeated.

The next few lines - "Now at last there's joy throughout the land, good news!" - contrast sharply with the opening sentiment and suggest that the play's heroes and heroines have achieved a great victory over the wicked witch. However, the subsequent lyrics - "Who can say if I've been changed for the better, but because I knew you, no one mourns the wicked" - hint at a more nuanced interpretation of the story's theme. The characters are forced to consider the price of achieving their goals, and whether or not that cost was worthwhile.

The characters' experiences with the wicked witch have changed them, and they acknowledge that their victories have come at a significant cost. Nevertheless, the overall message of the song suggests that the cost of defeating evil is well worth it and will ultimately result in positive change. It's a powerful conclusion to a story about the struggle for power and the consequences of that struggle.