That's a great assessment, Operafan, but a song simply being emotional does not make it better than one that is less so. Perhaps you are trying to say that songs such as "The Wizard and I", "Defying Gravity", and "Thank Goodness" are easiest to relate and listen to, but "Wonderful", for instance, is of a higher quality.

That's a great assessment, Operafan, but a song simply being emotional does not make it better than one that is less so. Perhaps you are trying to say that songs such as "The Wizard and I", "Defying Gravity", and "Thank Goodness" are easiest to relate and listen to, but "Wonderful", for instance, is of a higher quality.

You are exactly right...simply because a song pulls at your heartstrings doesn't make it better. But we put words to music to express them better...to express them more fully. I probably didn't explain my thoughts very well. The girls' songs are easier for me to relate to, it's true, and "Wonderful" is a great song. The lyrics are so fun but at the same time, the Wizard is exposing his not-so-wonderful side as well, as a liar and a simple man who took advantage of these people's faith in him. He is delightfully likable and admits freely that he is not anyone special and his joie de vivre is endearing, but he is not "remarkable"--not like Elphaba is. His song is fantastic....but it is not deep. It is honest, but, like the man himself, it is rather shallow in its scope and meaning. Which, it is supposed to be. In contrast, the girls truly open up in their songs, and are more vulnerable. Their music shows growth and change. It shows maturity and a growing-up process. In their music you can really get at the heart of the characters. Their music is revealing and powerful in its honesty and in the message it possesses. That is why I believe it is better. Their music is less cavalier and more serious, almost (granted, I realize many of Galinda's pieces are rather full of fluff, especially at the beginning...but she undergoes a tremendous change and that is admirable and obvious.) I think that is more of what I wanted to express...

ha! I didn't mean to post your comment...wow. Just shows ya that I don't really know what I'm doing with these forum things!

No, no, no! It's more than fine. You had some great things to say there. Welcome to the MdN! We're really happy to have you. I hope you'll venture out and discover our other forums here. There's a lot to talk about, and it seems you have a lot to contribute.

The Wizard's songs never really stuck out to me (I barely even remember 'A Sentimental Man). I'll have to go with the younger characters, based on the one time I've seen the show and the recorded songs I've listened to.

I don't agree that the Wizard is superficial in his songs, or at least if he is, it is genuine. I agree that Elphie and Glinda are "growing up" in their songs, but the Wizard is already a middle-aged man. Sure he still has lot to learn, but I think he has found himself. His lyrics also fit better with the music, without any weird phrasing. Popular and Dancing Through Life are disgraces to Musical Theatre Lyrics. Wonderful is a well-functioning Musical Theatre song. It needs to be there, and it needs to be that song. It doesn't help that most of Elphie's songs are influenced by Popular music, which comes across as fake. Do you ever believe lyrics in a pop song? I don't, because popular music is insincere and only there for the money.