Popular
Wicked Lyrics


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

Elphaba
You really don't have to do that.

Galinda
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 ploys
When you talk to boys
Little ways to flirt and flounce
Oooh! 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, 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 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-u-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!

Elphaba
I, I have to go...

Galinda
You're welcome...

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

La la, la la!




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

Overall Meaning

The song "Popular" from the hit musical Wicked is a catchy, upbeat number performed by Galinda, the popular and bubbly blonde girl at Shiz University, to Elphaba, a green-skinned outcast who initially resists Galinda's attempts to befriend her. In the song, Galinda tells Elphaba that she wants to make her popular and offers to teach her all the tricks of the trade. She tells Elphaba that the key to popularity is not aptitude, but rather the way one is viewed by others.


Galinda's motivation for making Elphaba popular is two-fold - she genuinely likes Elphaba and wants to help her fit in, but she also wants to show off her own popularity and use Elphaba as a project to improve her own status. However, throughout the course of the song, it becomes clear that Galinda's advice may not always be helpful, sincere, or even accurate. Despite this, "Popular" remains one of the most beloved and iconic songs from Wicked, highlighting the universal desire for acceptance and popularity, as well as the ways in which those desires can be manipulated and exploited.


Overall, "Popular" is a light-hearted and humorous song that is an integral part of the Wicked soundtrack. It explores themes of friendship, identity, and social status, and showcases the talents of both the performers and the composers behind the musical.


Line by Line Meaning

Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I
Whenever I see someone in a lesser position than I am


(And let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I?)
(And let's face it, almost everyone is in that position)


My tender heart tends to start to bleed
I get emotional and want to help them


And when someone needs a makeover
When someone needs some help or guidance to improve themselves


I simply have to take over
I have a strong desire to take charge and lead them


I know I know exactly what they need
I am confident that I know how to help them


And even in your case
Even in your unique situation


Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face,
Although it's the most challenging case I've encountered so far


Don't worry, I'm determined to succeed
Don't worry, I am very motivated to help you succeed


Follow my lead, and yes, indeed, you will be...
Trust and follow my guidance, and you will become...


Popular! You're gonna be popular!
Popular! You're going to be well-liked and admired by many!


I'll teach you the proper ploys
I'll show you the right strategies


When you talk to boys
When you communicate with potential male partners


Little ways to flirt and flounce
Subtle techniques to attract attention and show off


Oooh! I'll show you what shoes to wear
I'll give you advice on what shoes to select


How to fix your hair
How to style your hair to look your best


Everything that really counts to be...
All the important things that matter in order to become...


Popular!
Popular!


I'll help you be popular!
I'll assist you in becoming popular!


You'll hang with the right cohorts
You'll spend time with the right groups of people


You'll be good at sports
You'll become skilled at athletic activities


Know the slang you've got to know
Understand and use the language, expressions, and slang appropriately


So let's start 'cause you've got an awfully long way to go...
Therefore let's begin, because you have a lot of work to do...


Don't be offended by my frank analysis
Don't take what I say in a negative way because it's honest and direct


Think of it as personality dialysis
Think of it as a process to cleanse your personality and improve it


Now that I've chosen to become a pal, sister, and adviser
Because I have decided to be your friend, sibling, and counselor


There's nobody wiser
There's no one more knowledgeable and wise than me


Not when it comes to... Popular!
Especially when it comes to being popular!


I know about popular
I have knowledge about being popular


And with an assist from me
And with some help from me


To be who you'll be
To become the person you're meant to be


Instead of dreary, who you were...well, are
Instead of being dull and depressed, like you currently are


There's nothing that can stop you
You can overcome any obstacle


From becoming popu-ler...lar...
From becoming very popular


La la, la la! We're gonna make you pop-u-lar...
Chanting and singing that we're going to make you popular


When I see depressing creatures
When I see people who are sad and gloomy


With unprepossessing features
Who don't have attractive physical appearances


I remind them on their own behalf to think of
I encourage them to think about, for their own sake,


Celebrated heads of state
Famous and celebrated political leaders


Or 'specially great communicators
Or particularly effective and persuasive speakers


Did they have brains or knowledge?
Did they have intellect or information?


Don't make me laugh!
Of course they did!


They were popular!
They became very popular!


Please, it's all about popular!
Trust me, popularity is everything!


It's not about aptitude
It's not about having the right abilities or talents


It's the way you're viewed
It's about how others perceive you


So it's very shrewd to be
So it's very smart to be


Very, very popular like me!
Very, very well-liked and admired, like I am!


Why, Miss Elphaba, look at you. You're beautiful!
Encouraging Elphaba to adopt a more pleasant outlook


I, I have to go...
Elphaba declines to continue the conversation


You're welcome...
Galinda dismisses Elphaba's response


And though you protest
Even though you disagree


Your disinterest
Your lack of interest


I know clandestinely
Secretly, I know


You're gonna grin and bear it
You'll tolerate it even if you don't agree or like it


Your newfound popularity
Your recently acquired status of being popular


Ohh!
Exclaiming in excitement


La la, la la!
Chanting and singing


You'll be popular
You'll become popular


Just not quite as popular as me!
But not as popular as I am!




Contributed by Hudson E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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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:

@itsnebi9903

Barbie and Gamora: The musical

@chillybin7770

Blue Raven noice

@dannyvalentin6387

Ily

@dannamikaellasiago9821

Yes

@miriamponlatetera4611

🤗

@NoName-lm2or

Lol

89 More Replies...

@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

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