Popular
Wicked [Broadway 2004 October 19 Cast] Lyrics
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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!
The song "Popular" from the musical Wicked is sung by the character Galinda to Elphaba, who is an outcast in their school. Galinda offers to make Elphaba her new project, vowing to teach her how to become popular. She assures Elphaba that she knows the exact methods needed to help her achieve popularity, and she will be with her every step of the way. Throughout the song, Galinda lists the ways in which she plans to transform Elphaba, from teaching her to flirt with boys to showing her the right shoes and hairstyles to wear. However, despite her best intentions, Galinda's efforts ultimately make Elphaba feel uncomfortable and out of place, leading to a falling out between the two characters.
The song explores themes of popularity, insecurity, and the lengths one will go to fit in. It also serves as a commentary on the shallow and arbitrary nature of popularity, emphasizing the idea that it is more about how one is viewed by others than any innate talent or personality traits. Ultimately, the song is a cautionary tale about the dangers of trying to conform to societal expectations, urging viewers to be true to themselves and resist the pressure to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I
(And let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I?)
I pity everyone who is poor or less privileged compared to me, which is almost everyone.
My tender heart tends to start to bleed
And when someone needs a makeover
I simply have to take over
I am moved by others' misfortune and can't resist attempting to make them better by giving them a total transformation.
And even in your case
Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face
Although you pose a bigger challenge than anyone else, I am confident in my ability to help you transform.
Follow my lead, and yes, indeed, you will be...Popular! You're gonna be popular!
If you follow my advice, you will become popular, just like me.
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...
I'll provide practical guidance on how to be more charming, including how to dress, behave, and talk to boys.
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
I'll help you make friends with the right people, become skilled at sports, and speak like the cool kids.
Don't be offended by my frank analysis
Think of it as personality dialysis
Don't take my criticism too seriously; think of it as a way to cleanse your personality of its flaws.
I know about popular
And with an assist from me
To be who you'll be
Instead of dreary, who you were...well, are
I know exactly what it takes to be popular and can help you become who you truly are, not who you were before I intervened.
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!
When I see ugly people with no charm, I remind them that even the most successful people didn't necessarily have brains or knowledge, and that being popular is all about appearances.
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 has nothing to do with aptitude or skills; it's all about how others perceive you, so it's smart to be as popular as me.
And though you protest
Your disinterest
I know clandestinely
You're gonna grin and bear it
Your new found popularity
Ohh!
Even though you claim to be uninterested in becoming popular, I know deep down that you secretly want it, and you'll enjoy your newfound success.
Contributed by London F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.