Something Bad
Wicked [original broadway cast] Lyrics
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Oh, Miss Elphaba, the things one hears these days. Dreadful things...
I've heard of an Ox
A professor from Quox
No longer permitted to teach
Who has lost all powers of speech!
And an Owl in Munchkin Rock
Forbidden to preach
Now he can only screech!
Only rumors, but still
Enough to give pause
To anyone with paws
Something bad is happening in Oz...
Elphaba
Something bad happening in Oz?
Dillamond
Under the surface
Behind the scenes
Something baaaaaaad...
Sorry. "Bad."
Elphaba
Doctor Dillamond, if something bad is happening to the Animals, someone's got to tell the Wizard. That's why we have a Wizard!
So nothing bad....
Dillamond
I hope you're right...
Both
Nothing all that bad...
Dillamond
Nothing truly baaaaaad...
Sorry. "Bad."
Elphaba
It couldn't happen here in Oz...
In this song, Doctor Dillamond is expressing his concerns about what is happening to the animals in Oz. He mentions several examples of animals losing their ability to speak or carry out their normal activities, which suggests that they are being oppressed or silenced in some way. Elphaba, who is a friend and ally to the animals, is alarmed by this news and insists that they must bring it to the attention of the Wizard.
The song raises important questions about power and oppression, and the impact that political systems can have on marginalized groups. The animals in Oz are a metaphor for any group that is systematically silenced or oppressed, and the song suggests that it is the responsibility of those with power and privilege to speak up on their behalf. The repetition of the word "bad" reinforces the sense of unease and foreboding about the situation, and underscores the urgency of the characters' mission.
It is worth noting that the themes of this song have resonated with audiences far beyond the world of musical theater. The phrase "Something bad is happening in Oz" has been used as a political slogan by activists and protesters around the world, as a way of expressing their concerns about systemic injustice and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
I've heard of an Ox
I've heard rumors of an Ox
A professor from Quox
A professor from the town of Quox
No longer permitted to teach
Who has been banned from teaching
Who has lost all powers of speech!
And has lost his ability to speak
And an Owl in Munchkin Rock
And there's talk of an Owl living in Munchkin Rock
A vicar with a thriving flock
A religious leader with a thriving group of followers
Forbidden to preach
Who has been forbidden from giving sermons
Now he can only screech!
And can only make screeching noises
Only rumors, but still
These are only rumors
Enough to give pause
But they're concerning enough
To anyone with paws
To anyone paying attention
Something bad is happening in Oz...
It seems like something bad is happening in Oz
Under the surface
It's happening behind the scenes
Behind the scenes
Out of the public eye
Something baaaaaaad...
Something really bad
Sorry. "Bad."
I meant to say 'bad'
Doctor Dillamond, if something bad is happening to the Animals, someone's got to tell the Wizard. That's why we have a Wizard!
We need to tell the Wizard if something bad is happening to the Animals. That's the Wizard's job!
So nothing bad....
But maybe nothing bad is actually happening
I hope you're right...
I hope we're wrong about the rumors
Nothing all that bad...
Maybe it's not that bad
Nothing truly baaaaaad...
Maybe it's not really bad at all
Sorry. "Bad."
I meant to say 'bad'
It couldn't happen here in Oz...
Surely it wouldn't happen here in Oz
Contributed by Micah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@claudiag.9307
Lyrics
Dr.Dillamond: (spoken) Oh miss Elphaba, the things one hears these days. Dreadful things!
(sung) I've heard of an ox,
a professor from Quox,
no longer permitted to teach,
who has lost all powers of speech.
And an owl in Munchkin Rock,
a vicar with a thriving flock,
forbidden to preach,
now he only can screech.
Only rumours but still,
enough to get pause
from anyone with paws:
something bad is happening in Oz
Elphaba: Something bad happening in Oz?
Dr Dillamond: Under the surface, behind the scenes something baaaad-
(spoken) oh I'm sorry - bad
Elphaba: (spoken) Dr. Dillamond, if something bad is happening to the animals, someone has got to tell the Wizard. That's why we have a wizard! So nothing bad-
Dr Dillamond: I hope you're right.
Both: Nothing all that bad-
Dr Dillamond: Nothing truly baaaaad-
(spoken) sorry, bad.
Elphaba: It couldn't happen here in Oz...
@lenakaspar401
Oh, Miss Elphaba
The things one hears these days!
Dreadful things!
I've heard of an Ox, a professor from Quox
No longer permitted to teach
Who has lost all powers of speech
And an Owl in Munchkin Rock
A vicar with a thriving flock
Forbidden to preach
Now he only can screech!
Only rumors but still enough to give pause
To anyone with paws
Something bad is happening in Oz
Something bad happening in Oz?
Under the surface
Behind the scenes
Something baaaad
Sorry! Bad
Doctor Dillamond
If something bad is happening to the Animals
Someone's got to tell the Wizard
That's why we have a Wizard
So nothing bad
I hope you're right
Nothing all that bad
Nothing truly baaaad
Sorry, bad
@okhoward1942
"Dr. Dillamond, if something bad is happening to the animals, someone's got to tell the wizard. That's why we HAVE a wizard!"
Right...about that...
@codes114
Cried more at this than the End of Phantom and the end of Les Mis combined
@graysoncary2724
Me:*screaming from Gershwin theatre rooftop* DR. DILLAMOND DESERVED BETTER
@infjelphabasupporter8416
Well, in the novel it ended even worse for him. But true.
@MauritsVeen
Slytherin Elphaba Supporter what happened to him in the book? Didn’t he get to live with Elphaba and Fiyero in the Badlands?
@hannahcuthbertson4208
he kinda dies, just a little bit
@KeepCalmContemplateYourChoices
@Maurits Veen He was, I dunno, maybe sorta kinda murdered by Madame Morrible, just maybe...
@georgiag2685
@sebastian banguisO dam the book is intense.
@musicaltheatrefan2k226
0:41 Under the surface…
I feel Bezerk as a tightrope walker in a three ring circus
@lindsay4647
My falsettos side and my wicked side are currently at war.