That didn't work well...

[perididdle]

I said to myself on I think the 16th that I would listen to Wicked once more and then just put it off until January 6th.

Well.

That didn't work.

MADAME MORRIBLE
(spoken) Oh, Miss Elphaba:
(sung) Many years I have waited
For a gift like yours to appear
Why, I predict the Wizard
Could make you his
Magic grand vizier!
My dear, my dear
I'll write at once to the Wizard
Tell him of you in advance
With a talent like yours, dear
There is a defin-ish chance
If you work as you should
You'll be making good:

ELPHABA
Did that really just happen?
Have I actually understood?
This weird quirk I've tried
To suppress or hide
Is a talent that could
Help me meet the Wizard
If I make good
So I'll make good:

When I meet the Wizard
Once I prove my worth
And then I meet the Wizard
What I've waited for since: since birth!
And with all his Wizard wisdom
By my looks, he won't be blinded
Do you think the Wizard is dumb?
Or, like Munchkins, so small-minded?
No! He'll say to me,
"I see who you truly are -
A girl on whom I can rely!"
And that's how we'll begin
The Wizard and I:

Once I'm with the Wizard
My whole life will change
'Cuz once you're with the Wizard
No one thinks you're strange!
No father is not proud of you,
No sister acts ashamed
And all of Oz has to love you
When by the Wizard you're acclaimed
And this gift - or this curse -
I have inside
Maybe at last, I'll know why
When we are hand and hand -
The Wizard and I!

And one day, he'll say to me, "Elphaba,
A girl who is so superior
Shouldn't a girl who's so good inside
Have a matching exterior?
And since folks here to an absurd degree
Seem fixated on your verdigris
Would it be all right by you
If I de-greenify you?"

And though of course
That's not important to me
"All right, why not?" I'll reply
Oh, what a pair we'll be
The Wizard and I:
Yes, what a pair we'll be
The Wizard and:

Unlimited
My future is unlimited
And I've just had a vision
Almost like a prophecy
I know - it sounds truly crazy
And true, the vision's hazy
But I swear, someday there'll be
A celebration throughout Oz
That's all to do with me!

And I'll stand there with the Wizard
Feeling things I've never felt
And though I'd never show it
I'll be so happy, I could melt!
And so it will be
For the rest of my life
And I'll want nothing else
Till I die
Held in such high esteem
When people see me, they will scream
For half of Oz's fav'rite team:
The Wizard
And I!

GALINDA
(spoken) Dearest darlingest Momsie and Popsical:

ELPHABA
(spoken) My dear Father:

BOTHThere's been some confusion
Over rooming here at Shiz:

ELPHABA
But of course, I'll care for Nessa:

GLINDA
But of course, I'll rise above it:

BOTH
For I know that's how you'd want me to respond
Yes, there's been some confusion
For you see, my room-mate is:

GALINDA
Unusually and exceedingly peculiar
And altogether quite impossible to describe:

ELPHABA
Blonde.

GALINDA
What is this feeling?
So sudden and new?

ELPHABAI felt it the moment
I laid eyes on you:

GALINDA
My pulse is rushing:

ELPHABA
My head is reeling:

GALINDA
My face is flushing:

BOTH
What is this feeling?
Fervid as a flame,
Does it have a name?
Yes!:Loathing
Unadulterated loathing

GALINDA
For your face

ELPHABA
Your voice

GALINDA
Your clothing

BOTHLet's just say - I loathe it all
Ev'ry little trait, however small
Makes my very flesh begin to crawl
With simple utter loathing
There's a strange exhilaration
In such total detestation
It's so pure and strong!
Though I do admit it came on fast
Still I do believe that it can last
And I will be loathing
Loathing you
My whole life long!

STUDENTS
Dear Galinda, you are just too good
How do you stand it? I don't think I could!
She's a terror! She's a Tartar!
We don't mean to show a bias,
But Galinda, you're a martyr!

GALINDA
Well: these things are sent to try us!

STUDENTS
Poor Galinda, forced to reside
With someone so disgusticified
We all just want to tell you:
We're all on your side!
We share your:

GALINDA AND ELPHABA STUDENTS
What is this feeling Loathing
So sudden and new? Unadulterated loathing
I felt the moment For her face, her voice
I laid eyes on you Her clothing
My pulse is rushing Let's just say:
My head is reeling We loathe it all!
Oh, what is this feeling? Ev'ry little trait
Does it have a name? Makes our very flesh
Yes: Begin to crawl:.
Ahhh: Ahhh:

ALL
Loathing!

GALINDA AND ELPHABA ALL
There's a strange exhilaration Loathing
In such total detestation Loathing
So pure, so strong Loathing

STUDENTS
So strong!

GALINDA AND ELPHABA
Though I do admit it came on fast
Still I do believe that it can last ALL
And I will be loathing Loathing
For forever loathing Loathing
Truly deeply loathing Loathing you
My whole Loathing
Life long! Unadulterated loathing

ELPHABA
Boo!

GALINDA
Ahh!

FIYERO
The trouble with school is
They always try to teach the wrong lesson
Believe me, I've been kicked out
Of enough of them to know
They want you to become less callow
Less shallow
But I say: why invite stress in?
Stop studying strife
And learn to live "the unexamined life":

Dancing through life
Skimming the surface
Gliding where turf is smooth
Life's more painless
For the brainless
Why think too hard?
When it's so soothing
Dancing through life
No need to tough it
When you can sluff it off as I do
Nothing matters
But knowing nothing matters
It's just life
So keep dancing through

Dancing through life
Swaying and sweeping
And always keeping cool
Life is fraught-less
When you're thoughtless
Those who don't try
Never look foolish
Dancing through life
Mindless and careless
Make sure you're where less
Trouble is rife
Woes are fleeting
Blows are glancing
When you're dancing
Through life:
(spoken) So - what's the most swankified place in town?

GALINDA
(spoken) That would be the Ozdust Ballroom.

FIYERO
(spoken) Sounds perfect.
(sung) Let's go down to the Ozdust Ballroom
We'll meet there later tonight
We can dance till it's light
Find the prettiest girl:
Give 'er a whirl:
Right on down to the Ozdust Ballroom
Come on - follow me
You'll be happy to be there:

ALL
Dancing through life
Down at the Ozdust

FIYERO
If only because dust
Is what we come to:

ALL
Nothing matters
But knowing nothing matters
It's just life

FIYERO
So keep dancing through:

BOQ
(spoken) Miss Galinda - I hope you'll save at least one
dance for me. I'll be right there. Waiting. Allnight.

GALINDA(spoken) Oh - that's so kind. But you know what would
be even kinder?
(sung) See that tragic'ly beautiful girl
The one in the chair
It seems so unfair
We should go on a spree
And not she
Gee -
I know someone would be my hero
If that someone were to go invite her:

BOQ
(spoken) Well, maybe - I could invite her!

GALINDAOh, Bick, really?
You would do that for me?

BOQ
(spoken) I would do anything for you, Miss Galinda:

GALINDA
(spoken) So:

FIYERO
(spoken) So I'll be picking you up around eight?

GALINDA(spoken) After all -
(sung) Now that we've met one another

FIYERO AND GALINDA
It's clear - we deserve each other

GALINDAYou're perfect:

FIYERO
You're perfect:

BOTH
So we're perfect together
Born to be forever
Dancing through life:

NESSAROSE
(spoken) Oh, Elphaba - isn't it wonderful?
(sung) Fin'lly, for this one night
I'm about to have a fun night
With this Munchkin boy
Galinda found for me
And I only wish there were
Something I could do for her
To repay her
Elphaba, see?
We deserve each other
And Galinda helped it come true
We deserve each other,
Me and Boq:
(spoken) Elphaba, please try to understand:

ELPHABA
I do:
(spoken) Galinda - my sister and I were talking about you
just now-

GALINDA
(spoken) And I was just talking about you! I thought you
might want to wear this hat to the party tonight!
(sung) It's really, uh, sharp, don't you think?
You know - black is this year's pink
You deserve each other
This hat and you
You're both so smart
You deserve each other
So here, out of the goodness of my heart:

BOQ
(spoken) Listen: Nessa:

NESSAROSE
(spoken) Yes?

BOQ
Uh - Nessa
I've got something to confess, a
Reason why, well -
Why I asked you here tonight
Now I know it isn't fair:

NESSAROSE
(spoken) Oh, Boq, I know why.

BOQ
(spoken) You do?

NESSAROSE
It's because I'm in this chair
And you felt sorry for me
Well - isn't that right?

BOQ
(spoken) No! No! It's because: because:
(sung) Because you are so beautiful!

NESSAROSE
Oh, Boq, I think you're wonderful!
And we deserve each other
Don't you see, this is our chance?
We deserve each other
Don't we, Boq?

BOQ
(spoken) You know what?
(sung) Let's dance:

NESSAROSE
(spoken) What?!

BOQ
Let's dance!

ALL
Dancing through life
Down at the Ozdust
If only because dust
Is what we come to!
And the strange thing:
Your life could end up changing
While you're dancing
Through!

ELPHABA
Hands touch, eyes meet
Sudden silence, sudden heat
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl
He could be that boy
But I'm not that girl:

Don't dream too far
Don't lose sight of who you are
Don't remember that rush of joy
He could be that boy
I'm not that girl

Ev'ry so often we long to steal
To the land of what-might-have-been
But that doesn't soften the ache we feel
When reality sets back in

Blithe smile, lithe limb
She who's winsome, she wins him
Gold hair with a gentle curl
That's the girl he chose
And Heaven knows
I'm not that girl:

Don't wish, don't start
Wishing only wounds the heart
I wasn't born for the rose and the pearl
There's a girl I know
He loves her so
I'm not that girl

GLINDA
(spoken) Elphaba - why couldn't you have stayed calm for
once, instead of flying off the handle!
(sung) I hope you're happy!
I hope you're happy now
I hope you're happy how you
Hurt your cause forever
I hope you think you're clever!

ELPHABA
I hope you're happy
I hope you're happy, too
I hope you're proud how you
Would grovel in submission
To feed your own ambition

BOTH
So though I can't imagine how
I hope you're happy right now

GLINDA
(spoken) Elphie, listen to me. Just say you're sorry:
(sung) You can still be with the Wizard
What you've worked and waited for
You can have all you ever wanted:

ELPHABA
(spoken) I know:
(sung) But I don't want it -
No - I can't want it
Anymore:

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes: and leap!

It's time to try
Defying gravity
I think I'll try
Defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!

GLINDA
Can't I make you understand?
You're having delusions of grandeur:

ELPHABA
I'm through accepting limits
'Cuz someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!
I'd sooner buy
Defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
And you can't pull me down:
(spoken) Glinda - come with me. Think of what we could
do: together.

(sung) Unlimited
Together we're unlimited
Together we'll be the greatest team
There's ever been
Glinda -
Dreams, the way we planned 'em

GLINDA
If we work in tandem:

BOTH
There's no fight we cannot win
Just you and I
Defying gravity
With you and I
Defying gravity

ELPHABA
They'll never bring us down!
(spoken) Well? Are you coming?

GLINDA
I hope you're happy
Now that you're choosing this

ELPHABA
(spoken) You too
(sung) I hope it brings you bliss

BOTH
I really hope you get it
And you don't live to regret it
I hope you're happy in the end
I hope you're happy, my friend

ELPHABA
So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I'm flying high
Defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!

GLINDA
I hope you're happy!

CITIZENS OF OZ
Look at her, she's wicked!
Get her!

ELPHABA
Bring me down!

CITIZENS OF OZ
No one mourns the wicked
So we've got to bring her

ELPHABA
Ahhh!

CITIZENS OF OZ
Down!

ELPHABA
Kiss Me too fiercely
Hold me too tight
I meed help beliving
You're with me tonight
My wildest dreams
Could not forsee
Lying beside you
With you wanting me

And just for this moment
As long as you're mine
I've lot all resistance
And crossed some boarderline
And if it turnes out
It's over too fast
I'll make every last moment last
As long as you're mine

FIYERO
Maybe I'm brainless
Maybe I'm wise
But you've got me seeing
Though different eyes
Somehow I've fallen
Under your spell
And somehow I'm feeling
It's up that I fell

BOTH
Every moment
As long as you're mine
I'll wake up my body
And make up for lost time

FIYERO
Say there's no future
For us as a pair

BOTH
And though I know I may know
I don't care
Just for this moment
As long as you're mine
Come be how you want to
And see how bright we shine
Borrow the moonlight
Until it is though
And know I'll be here holding you
As long as you're mine

FIYERO
(spoken)
What is it?

ELPHABA
(spoken)
It's just for the first time,
I feel ... wicked

ELPHABA
(spoken) Fiyero!
(sung) Eleka nahmen nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen
Eleka nahmen nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen

Let his flesh not be torn
Let his blood leave no stain
Though they beat him
Let him feel no pain
Let his bones never break
And however they try
To destroy him
Let him never die:
Let him never die:

Eleka nahmen nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen
Eleka nahmen nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka: eleka:

What good is this chanting?
I don't even know what I'm reading!
I don't even know which trick I ought to try
Fiyero, where are you?
Already dead, or bleeding?
One more disaster I can add to my
Generous supply?

Unlimited
The damage is unlimited
To everyone I've tried to help
Or tried to love
And, oh, Fiyero, you're the latest
Victim of my greatest achievement
In a long career of distress
Every time I could, I tried making good
And what I made was a mess!

No good deed goes unpunished
No act of charity goes unresented
No good deed goes unpunished
That's my new creed
My road of good intentions
Led where such roads always lead
No good deed
Goes unpunished!

Nessa:
Doctor Dillamond:
Fiyero:
Fiyero!!

One question haunts and hurts
Too much, too much to mention:
Was I really seeking good
Or just seeking attention?
Is that all good deeds are
When looked at with an ice-cold eye?
If that's all good deeds are
Maybe that's the reason why

No good deed goes unpunished
All helpful urges should be circumvented
No good deed goes unpunished
Sure, I meant well -
Well, look at what well-meant did:
All right, enough - so be it
So be it, then:
Let all Oz be agreed
I'm wicked through and through
Since I can not succeed
Fiyero, saving you
I promise no good deed
Will I attempt to do again
Ever again
No good deed
Will I do again!

ELPHABA
I'm limited:
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you -
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
(spoken) For both of us
(sung) Now it's up to you:

GLINDA
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

ELPHABA
It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:

GLINDA
Because I knew you:

BOTHI have been changed for good

ELPHABA
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

GLINDA
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

BOTH
And none of it seems to matter anymore

GLINDA
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Half-way through the wood

ELPHABA (Sung in unison with Galinda)
Like a ship blown
Off it's mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped
By a bird in the wood

BOTH
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?

GLINDA
And because I knew you:
ELPHABA
Because I knew you

BOTH
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good.

*Sits in a puddle of too much Wicked love.*

I'm not entirely sure there's anything else that can, at one same moment, make me cry, want to explode in joy, shiver in awe and inspire me to new heights. Wicked makes it routinely happen in multiple songs - The Wizard And I and Defying Gravity, especially. It's beautifully tragic (and tragically beautiful...)

Hmmm, and it's wonderfully ('Wonderful, they'll call you wonderful...') fun to analyze. Why do I have such an obsession with doing this? I do not know. But I do know that Elphaba has one of the single most amazing character arcs I've ever seen, and watching everything build up until she, finally, just breaks down and loses (or finds?) herself...it makes me shudder. Listening to No Good Deed can send me into a goosebumpy, crying mess, it's that bad. Or good. Whatever.

Hmm, and I think I've discovered another reason why Defying Gravity makes me shiver and just sit and listen in awe. When Elphaba flies above Oz, and begins singing 'And nobody in all of Oz/No Wizard that there is or was/Is ever gonna bring me down!' and as the Citizens of Oz start singing, you can hear the opening strains of No One Mourns the Wicked, and the notes that accompany that very phrase. Yes, the part is sung, but they come BEFORE that. So not only is that moment her final straw with how the world around her treats her, and the beginning of her biggest rebellion and the moment where she realized that if she's happy with herself, that's all that matters. It's also the moment when, I think, she starts to follow the road to No Good Deed. She's going to think she's evil, she's going to think she's a failure...and yeah. *HUGGLES ELPHABA*

Off to swoon over more Wicked...

-Madyd

Comments

Merry Christmas

[pink-magnolia.livejournal.com]

Merry Christmas Maddy! I love you! *hugs!*