"Wonderful" is a song featured in the 2025 film Wicked: For Good which was written and composed by Stephen Schwartz.
Background
It is a character-revealing song in which The Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) explains how he rose to power and why he manipulates the people of Oz. In the number, he tries to charm Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Erivo) by painting himself as a harmless, ordinary man who simply took advantage of an opportunity, insisting that “it’s all about perception” and that anyone can look powerful if others believe it. Beneath the upbeat, vaudeville-style tone, the song exposes his hypocrisy—he minimizes his lies, justifies his corruption, and uses flattery to try to pull Elphaba to his side. “Wonderful” ultimately highlights how the Wizard hides behind spectacle and charisma to mask insecurity, deceit, and his willingness to exploit others, showing the darker truth beneath Oz’s seemingly cheerful exterior.
Lyrics
Wizard:
Take it from a wise old carny
Once folks buy into your blarney
It becomes the thing they'll most hold onto
Once they've swallowed sham and hokum
Facts and logic won't unchoke 'em
They'll go on believing what they want to
Show them exactly what's the score
They'll just believe it even more
"Wonderful"
They called me "Wonderful"
So I said, "Wonderful"
If you insist
"Wonderful"
I will be wonderful
Glinda and Wizard:
Believe me, it's hard to rеsist
'Cause it feels wonderful
Glinda:
They think hе's wonderful
Wizard:
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"
Wizard, spoken:
You know, we could be like a—, like a family
You know, I never really had a family
Elphaba, spoken:
Lucky you
Wizard, spoken:
That's why I've wanted to give the citizens of Oz everything
Elphaba, spoken:
So you lied to them?
Wizard:
The truth is not a fact or reason
The truth is just what everyone agrees on
Wizard, spoken:
You see, back where I come from, we got a whole lot of people who believe all sorts of things that aren't true
You know what we call it?
History
Wizard:
A man's called a traitor or liberator
A rich man's a thief or philanthropist
Is one an invader or noble crusader?
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
Glinda:
They call him, "Wonderful"
Wizard:
So I am wonderful
Glinda:
He is so wonderful
It's part of his name
Glinda and Wizard:
And with our help, you can be the same
Glinda, spoken:
Elphie, think of what we could do
Together
Glinda:
Unlimited
Together, we're unlimited
Together, we'll be the greatest team there's ever been, Elphie
Elphaba:
Dreams the way we planned 'em
Glinda:
If we work in tandem
Glinda and Elphaba:
There's no fight we cannot win
Wizard:
At long, long last, recieve your due
Glinda:
Long overdue
Wizard:
Elphaba
A celebration throughout Oz that's all to do
With you
Glinda and Wizard:
Wonderful
They'll call you, "Wonderful"
Glinda:
Come and be wonderful
Wizard:
Trust me, it's fun
Glinda:
We will be wonderful
Wizard:
You'll make me wonderful
Glinda and Wizard:
Wonderful, wonderful
Elphaba, spoken:
Wait!
Elphaba:
It's possible I could agree
Glinda and Wizard:
Wonderful
Elphaba, spoken:
But this time
Elphaba:
You have to prove yourself to me
