The song's lyrics concern how both Elphaba and Glinda have been changed by their friendship with each other. Glinda begins by saying that, while she doesn't know if it is true that people come into each other's lives for a reason, "I know I'm who I am today because I knew you." Similarly, Elphaba tells Glinda that "whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend." Elphaba also asks Glinda to forgive her for anything she might have done wrong, to which Glinda replies that "there's blame to share", but both agree that "none of it seems to matter anymore". Schwartz commented after the show premiered that for the opening of the song, he asked his daughter what she would say if she would never see her best friend again, and her answer became the first verse of "For Good".[1]
Critical reception
Vulture ranked the song as the third-best from the Wicked score, describing it as "not particularly inventive", "comically heavy-handed", and almost overtaken by "flowery schmaltz", while ultimately concluding that the earned emotion that the show has built through the duo's relationship can "excuse all manner of lyrical sins".[2]Playbill ranked it the seventh-best Stephen Schwartz song, deeming it less flashy than other Wicked songs, unique, powerful, meaningful and an insight into how relationships make people grow.[3] Jenny Singer of The Forward wrote that it "belongs to an exclusive category: songs that have become staples at graduations, retirement celebrations and funerals".[4]
Erivo and Grande performed "For Good" with Menzel and Chenoweth for the television special Wicked: One Wonderful Night, which aired on November 6, 2025. Schwartz wrote new lyrics for the bridge, and also provided piano accompaniment for the four vocalists. The performance was filmed at the Gershwin Theatre, the home of the Wicked Broadway production.[7][8]
LeAnn Rimes and Delta Goodrem recorded a pop version for the fifth anniversary special edition of the soundtrack album which was released on October 28, 2008.[citation needed]
Internet personalities Sam Tsui and Nick Pitera, recorded a cover that has been uploaded to their respective YouTube channels.[19]
Portions of the original version of the song were used at the ending of the September 4, 2013 repeat episode of the game show Wheel of Fortune, as a tribute to director Mark Corwin, who died on July 25, 2013.[20]
The song appeared in Glee episode "New York", and featured as a duet between Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel, Lea Michele and Chris Colfer, respectively.[citation needed]
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