On the heels of Wicked’s critical and commercial success, its sequel, Wicked: For Good, promises to bring Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) story to a climactic end. The first film adapted the first act of the smash-hit Broadway musical of the same name, while For Good covers the events of the second act with a couple of added songs.

Both the film and the stage show, which is in turn based on a novel by Gregory Maguire, tell the sympathetic backstory of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and the main antagonist of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Interestingly, the Wicked musical plays more on the 1939 Wizard of Oz film than on the book.

So far, the Wicked films have followed suit, with numerous easter eggs calling back to the cinematic classic. For Good appears to be doing the same, as evidenced by Dorothy Gale, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion appearing in the film’s trailer.

More recently, the tracklist for For Good revealed the two new songs: “No Place Like Home” and “The Girl in the Bubble.” Each of these contains a reference to The Wizard of Oz.

“No Place Like Home,” which will be performed by Erivo’s Elphaba, pays tribute to the iconic “there’s no place like home” line uttered by Dorothy. Speaking to Empire, Erivo addressed the importance of using such an important phrase: “I was really aware that if the words ‘no place like home’ are in her mouth, they have to mean something; it has to be really special.”

The actress, who also helped write the song, continued:

She has to question why she wants to continue to save Oz, or save the animals in it, even though this place doesn’t necessarily want her.It is a discovery as to why she can continue. That is where the story gets started for her.

Likewise, “The Girl in the Bubble,” to be performed by Grande, is a reference to Glinda traveling by bubble. This addition to Wicked came not from the original Oz books or Maguire’s novel but from the 1939 film.

What Cynthia Erivo And Ariana Grande’s Comments Mean For Elphaba And Glinda In Wicked: For Good

Both Elphaba and Glinda’s new songs featuring The Wizard of Oz references is fitting; the events of For Good overlap with those of the original Wizard of Oz, after all. However, it seems that the thematic connections to the classic tale are more relevant to Elphaba than Glinda.

Unpacking “The Girl in the Bubble,” Grande explained that the song is about “propelling [Glinda] into her actual goodness.” The singer elaborated:

We get to see [Glinda] decide, ‘I’m going to change the course of Oz. I’m going to become deeply, truly good and make a safe space for people. She earns her тιтle for real, and we get to see that self-discovery. I’m so grateful for that song, because she deserves it as a character.

As such, Glinda’s song reflects the broader themes of Wicked itself, chiefly what it means to be good, while Elphaba’s builds upon those of The Wizard of Oz. In addition, they further each protagonist’s arc by reaffirming their motivations.

Our Take On The New Wicked: For Good Songs Paying Tribute To The Wizard Of Oz

Wicked: For Good has a lofty job to do. It must balance being a prequel and a retelling of a beloved family classic. Choosing to embrace the nostalgia rather than completely shed any traces of familiarity is a smart move by those behind the scenes. After all, there is no place like home.