Populär
Wicked--Original Broadway Cast featuring Kristin Chenoweth 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

In Wicked's "Popular," Glinda sings about her desire to make Elphaba popular. She believes she can do this by teaching her how to behave and dress in a more "popular" way, including showing her how to talk to boys and teaching her slang. Glinda is convinced that with her help, Elphaba can become popular and well-liked like her.


The lyrics are a commentary on the shallowness of popularity and the power dynamics that are often at play. Glinda uses her status as a popular girl to assert her dominance and control over Elphaba, who she sees as less fortunate and in need of her help. The song also reflects on the pressure that people, particularly young people, feel to conform to societal norms and expectations in order to be accepted and liked.


Line by Line Meaning

Elphie, now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project!
Now that we are friends, I have decided to help you out in improving your personality.


You really don't have to do that
I do not need your help for improving myself.


I know, that's what makes me so nice!
I am being nice to you by helping you improve.


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!
Whenever I see someone who needs help in improving themselves, I tend to feel for them and know exactly what they need to improve their personality.


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!
Even though your case is tough, I am determined to succeed in helping you improve your personality. Follow my instructions and you will become 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 will teach you how to have the proper poise while you're in public, giving you special tips while talking to boys, how to flirt, how to have the perfect hairstyle, what shoes to wear, and everything else that you need to do to become 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!
I'll help you hang around with the right people, how to become good at sports, know the necessary slang words to talk to people. You have a lot to learn, so let's start.


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!
Do not feel hurt by my honest analysis of your personality. Think of it as we're giving your personality some cleanse while becoming your sister, advisor, and pal. There is nobody wiser than me when it comes to being 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
I know all about being popular and with my guidance, you can transform yourself into someone people did not know before, and there will be nothing that can stop you from becoming popular.


We're gonna make you pop-you-lar!
We will work together to 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!
Whenever I come across people who appear unimpressive and down on themselves, I remind them to think of celebrated people who become famous not just for their brains but because they are 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!
Being popular is what it is all about. It isn't about your skills or knowledge. It is about the way you are looked at by people. Therefore, it is necessary to be very popular, like me.


I, I have to go You're welcome
I need to leave now. But you are welcome for my help!


And though you protest Your disinterest I know clandestinely You're gonna grin and bear it! Your newfound popularity! Aah!
Even though you are protesting and appear disinterested, I know that deep down, you will enjoy the newfound popularity that I will bring you.


La la, la la! You'll be popular! Just not quite as popular as me!
La la, la la! You'll be popular, but you won't be as popular as me.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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