Wonderful
Wicked [original broadway cast] Lyrics


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Wizard
I never asked for this or planned it in advance
I was merely blown here by the winds of chance
I never saw myself as a Solomon or Socrates
I knew who I was: one of your dime a dozen mediocrities

Then, suddenly I'm here: respected—worshiped, even
Just because the folks in Oz needed someone to believe in
Does it surprise you I got hooked, and all too soon?
What can I say? I got carried away, and not just by balloon...

"Wonderful," they called me, "Wonderful!"
So I said, "Wonderful—if you insist
I will be wonderful," and they said, "Wonderful!"
Believe me, it's hard to resist
'Cause it feels wonderful, they think I'm wonderful
Hey, look who's wonderful: this corn-fed hick
Who said, "It might be keen
To build a town of green
And a wonderful road of yellow brick!"

See, I never had a family of my own. So, I guess I just—wanted to give the citizens of Oz everything.

Elphaba
So you lied to them.

Wizard
Elphaba, where I'm from, we believe all sorts of things that aren't true. We call it—"history."

A man's called a traitor-or liberator
A rich man's a thief-or philanthropist
Is one a crusader-or ruthless invader?
It's all in which label is able to persist
There are precious few at ease
With moral ambiguities
So we act as though they don't exist

They call me, "Wonderful," so I am wonderful
In fact, it's so much who I am, it's part of my name
And with my help, you can be the same

At long, long last receive your due long overdue
Elphaba, the most celebrated are the rehabilitated
There'll be such a whoop-de-doo
A celebration throughout Oz that's all to do with you

Wonderful, they'll call you wonderful

Elphaba
It does sound wonderful

Wizard
Trust me, it's fun

Both
When you are wonderful, it would be wonderful
Wonderful, wonderful





Wizard
One, two, and...

Overall Meaning

The song "Wonderful" by the original Broadway cast of Wicked is a powerful and introspective piece that explores the nature of power and identity. The character of the Wizard, who has been thrust into the position of leadership in Oz, reflects on his newfound status and how he has come to embody the title of "Wonderful" in the eyes of his followers. He grapples with the idea that he was never meant to be in charge in the first place, but has been swept up in the events around him.


The Wizard acknowledges that he was not always a great leader or even an outstanding individual, but his position has elevated him to a level of respect and adoration that he finds difficult to resist. He admits that he got carried away with his own importance, but also recognizes that this is what his followers wanted and needed from him. He views himself as a product of circumstance and accepts his role in Oz, even as he struggles with the weight of his responsibility.


The song also touches on the idea of perception and how labels can influence how people view a person's actions. The Wizard notes that people can be seen as either heroes or villains, depending on how they are labeled. He also acknowledges the discomfort that many people have with moral ambiguity and how it is often easier to ignore or deny it than to confront it directly. Ultimately, "Wonderful" is a poignant exploration of the complex nature of power and how it can shape identity and perception.


Line by Line Meaning

I never asked for this or planned it in advance
I didn't choose to be here, it just happened by chance


I was merely blown here by the winds of chance
I didn't have any control over my arrival


I never saw myself as a Solomon or Socrates
I never thought of myself as especially wise or knowledgeable


I knew who I was: one of your dime a dozen mediocrities
I was just an ordinary, average person


Then, suddenly I'm here: respected—worshiped, even
Now I have a lot of admiration and esteem from others


Just because the folks in Oz needed someone to believe in
People in Oz were looking for a figure to put their faith in


Does it surprise you I got hooked, and all too soon?
It's natural that I became attached to this newfound admiration quickly


What can I say? I got carried away, and not just by balloon...
I was swept up in the moment, including the adoration and excitement


"Wonderful," they called me, "Wonderful!"
People started calling me "Wonderful," as a way of showing their admiration


So I said, "Wonderful—if you insist
I played along with their adulation and called myself "Wonderful" as well


I will be wonderful," and they said, "Wonderful!"
People continued to reinforce the idea that I was wonderful


Believe me, it's hard to resist
It's difficult not to get caught up in all the excitement


'Cause it feels wonderful, they think I'm wonderful
The sensation of feeling adored is pretty great, and people continue to think highly of me


Hey, look who's wonderful: this corn-fed hick
Even though I'm just an average person, people still think I'm amazing


Who said, "It might be keen
I suggested that creating a town of green and a yellow brick road would be a good idea


To build a town of green
I proposed the idea of a town with plenty of natural spaces


And a wonderful road of yellow brick!"
I also suggested a yellow brick road, which has become iconic


See, I never had a family of my own. So, I guess I just—wanted to give the citizens of Oz everything.
I didn't have a family, so I wanted to provide for the people of Oz instead


So you lied to them.
Elphaba calls me out for being dishonest with the people of Oz


Elphaba, where I'm from, we believe all sorts of things that aren't true. We call it—"history."
I justify my dishonesty by saying that it's a common practice where I come from, and we consider it to be "history"


A man's called a traitor-or liberator
Whether someone is considered a traitor or a liberator depends on who is making the judgment


A rich man's a thief-or philanthropist
Similarly, whether a rich person is seen as a thief or a philanthropist is not always clear cut


Is one a crusader-or ruthless invader?
The labels we use can change our perception of a person or group's motives and actions


It's all in which label is able to persist
Sometimes the label that sticks to someone is just a matter of chance or circumstance


There are precious few at ease
Not many people are comfortable with moral ambiguity


With moral ambiguities
People try to avoid moral gray areas when possible


So we act as though they don't exist
Many people prefer to ignore moral ambiguities and pretend they don't matter


In fact, it's so much who I am, it's part of my name
Being called "Wonderful" has become so central to my identity that it feels like it's part of my name


And with my help, you can be the same
I offer to help others become wonderful and bask in the same adoration that I receive


At long, long last receive your due long overdue
Finally, you'll get the recognition you deserve


Elphaba, the most celebrated are the rehabilitated
As Elphaba is transformed into a popular figure, it's clear that even the most controversial people can become celebrated with the right approach


There'll be such a whoop-de-doo
There will be a big celebration


A celebration throughout Oz that's all to do with you
The celebration will be all about Elphaba and her newfound status


When you are wonderful, it would be wonderful
Being wonderful is pretty great


Wonderful, wonderful
Repeating the word "wonderful" emphasizes how exciting it is to be considered wonderful


Trust me, it's fun
I assure Elphaba that it's enjoyable to be adored


One, two, and...
The song is about to continue with a new section




Contributed by Asher R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

izabell y’know

WIZARD
I never asked for this
Or planned it in advance
I was merely blown here
By the winds of chance
I never saw myself
As a Solomon or Socrates
I knew who I was:
One of your dime a dozen
Mediocrities

Then suddenly I'm here
Respected - worshipped, even
Just because the folks in Oz
Needed someone to believe in
Does it surprise you
I got hooked, and all too soon?
What can I say?
I got carried away
And not just by balloon:

Wonderful
They called me "Wonderful"
So I said "Wonderful" - if you insist
I will be "Wonderful"
And they said "Wonderful"
Believe me, it's hard to resist
'Cause it feels wonderful
They think I'm wonderful
Hey, look who's wonderful -
This corn-fed hick
Who said: "It might be keen
To build a town of green
And a wonderful road of yellow brick!"

(spoken) See - I never had a family of my own. So, I
guess I just - wanted to give the citizens of Oz everything.

ELPHABA(spoken) So you lied to them.

WIZARD
(spoken) Elphaba, where I'm from, we believe all sorts of
things that aren't true. We call it - "history."

(sung) A man's called a traitor - or liberator
A rich man's a thief - or philanthropist
Is one a crusader - or ruthless invader?
It's all in which label
Is able to persist
There are precious few at ease
With moral ambiguities
So we act as though they don't exist

They call me "Wonderful"
So I am wonderful
In fact - it's so much who I am
It's part of my name
And with my help, you can be the same
At long, long last receive your due
Long overdue
Elphaba - The most celebrated
Are the rehabilitated
There'll be such a - whoop-de-doo
A celebration throughout Oz
That's all to do - with you

Wonderful
They'll call you wonderful:

ELPHABA
It does sound wonderful:

WIZARD
Trust me - it's fun

BOTH
When you are wonderful
It would be wonderful?
Wonderful, wonderful

WIZARD
One! Two! And:
(they dance)



All comments from YouTube:

Not To Be Productions

"We believe all sorts of things that aren't true. We call it... history" That part is just... wonderful.

Jc Rivera

Ha ha ha it's a pun

kaijuguy19

It's also very spot on.

Neal

@Jc Rivera Wait how is it a pun? Sorry I can be slow sometimes. Lol!

Katie

@Neal The song is called "wonderful" and they called that part wonderful

Neal

@Katie Oh. Haha! I see. I thought they were saying the line from the musical was a pun.

5 More Replies...

BigGangnam

This is why I prefer the Wizard from the musical to the one in the book. The book's Wizard was basically flat out stated to be an unlikable evil bastard, an occultist and a mass murderer who looked down on everyone around him, even potential assets. This Oz is charming, eloquent, and by all accounts a very likable, nice guy, which makes his tyrannical actions and twisted moral compass all the more unsettling. It's a lot creepier to hear a man happily and sincerely espousing moral flexibility and legitimately thinking and behaving like a good man.

Carlos Alejandro Alvarenga

BigGangnam I know right! I flat out hated the book Wizard. This wizard is one if my dream roles😂

Austin

Oz was beginning a war. The Wizard isn't supposed to be nice. Symbolism of dictatorship....

Dylan McDade

Yeah you can believe this guy got into power with pure charm

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