In the movie musical, Wicked, Ariana Grande’s Glinda sings often, yet the song that truly defines her, and gives audiences insight into her character, is “Popular.” First introduced in The Wizard of Oz as Glinda the Good, the Glinda in Wicked is self-obsessed, driven, and uniquely intelligent. Although she initially bullies her new roommate, Elphaba, the two women learn to love each other, despite their differences. More than that, Glinda tries to teach Elphaba how to be well-liked at a school (and in a world) where everyone seems to be against Elphaba at all times.

Despite the fact that Wicked seems to focus more heavily on Elphaba’s story of magic and power, Glinda plays an extremely important role. She not only represents The Wizard of Oz characters that audiences know and love, but she subverts expectations just as much as Elphaba does. Unlike her nickname, Glinda is not always good, and it takes a lot of learning for her to become a better person. In this way, Glinda’s character development is just as interesting as Elphaba’s, but with a bit for sparkly pink flair. “Popular” is the ideal example.

Glinda Sings “Popular” After She & Elphaba Become Friends In The First Wicked Movie

Why Popular Is A Turning Point In Wicked

 

The song “Popular” occurs about halfway through Wicked, when Glinda and Elphaba finally become friends. At the Ozdust Ballroom, Elphaba is ridiculed for her outfit and dancing, but in a surprising moment of solidarity, Glinda decides to join her. As a result, the other Shiz students begin to accept Elphaba. Following this touching scene, Glinda and Elphaba return to their room and hesitantly begin building a real friendship by telling each other secrets. The following morning, Glinda commits herself to improving Elphaba’s standing at Shiz, and “Popular” showcases this process.

“Popular” is a great moment in Wicked for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is pure fun. Grande puts her heart and soul into portraying the bubbly and silly Glinda. Her singing is spot-on, and her dancing is surprisingly gleeful. However, “Popular” is more than just entertainment. This song signals a massive shift in Wicked. Glinda and Elphaba are no longer enemies, and more than that, they allow themselves to open up to one another. “Popular” is Glinda’s way of showing Elphaba who she really is. Her persona is not just effortless beauty, but strategic and thought-out performance.

“Popular” Song Lyrics Explained

What Glinda Is Really Saying In Popular

Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I

And let’s face it, right, who isn’t

Less fortunate than I?

My tender heart tends to start to bleed

And when someone needs a makeover

I simply have to take over

I know, I know exactly what they need

And even in your case

Though it’s the toughest case I’ve yet to face

Don’t worry, I’m determined to succeed

Follow my lead

And yes, indeed

You will be

Popular

You’re gonna be popular

I’ll teach you the proper ploys when you talk to boys

Little ways to flirt and flounce, oh

I’ll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair

Everything that really counts to be

Popular

I’ll help you be popular

You’ll hang with the right cohorts, you’ll be good at sports

Know the slang you’ve got to know

So let’s start, ’cause you’ve got an awfully long way to go

Don’t be offended by my frank analysis

Think of it as personality dialysis

Now that I’ve chosen to become a pal, a sister, and adviser

There’s nobody wiser

Not when it comes to

Popular, I know about popular

And with an assist from me to be who you’ll be

Instead of dreaming who you were, well, are

There’s nothing that can stop you

From becoming popular (‘lar)

La-la, la-la

We’re gonna make you popular

When I see depressing creatures

With unprepossessing features

I remind them on their own behalf to think of

Celebrated heads of state

Or especially great communicators

Did they have brains or knowledge?

Don’t make me laugh

They were (popular), right

It’s all about popular

It’s not about aptitude, it’s the way you’re viewed

So it’s very shrewd to be

Very, very popular like me

And though you protest

Your disinterest

I know clandestinely

You’re gonna grin and bear it

Your new-found popularity (ah)

La-la, la-la

La-la, la-la

La-la, ooh

You’ll be popular

Just not quite as popular as me

The main point Glinda makes in “Popular” is that to be well-liked is a true strength. With a heavy dose of sass, Glinda points out that Elphaba has struggled to fit in at Shiz, then he goes on to explain all the ways that one can become popular: through appearance, flirtation, conversation, and even physical activity. Glinda emphasizes that she will now be Elphaba’s truest friend, and give her this much-needed makeover. She even goes so far as to say that the most respected people in the world, people Elphaba looks up to, have gotten by because of their popularity.

There is no deeper meaning to “Popular” in terms of the words Glinda is singing. In fact, it seems that the entire song is almost like a confession. Glinda is finally revealing to Elphaba how she is so successful among their classmates. It is not just natural charm, but calculated hair flips and strong conversation starters. At the end of the song, Glinda even becomes a bit melancholy, acknowledging that Elphaba likely won’t appreciate all this work like she hopes. However, by the end, Glinda returns to her arrogant self, claiming that Elphaba will never be as popular as her.

What The “Popular” Song Really Means In Wicked

How “Popular” Sets Up Wicked’s Ending

In terms of Wicked, “Popular” acts as a symbol of Oz at large. Elphaba does not fit in among Ozians because she cannot hide her skin color or her true self. On the other hand, Glinda is extremely popular in Oz because she is so curated and false. In this way, “Popular” shows that Oz is full of lies and deceit, where people are more apt to put on a brave face rather than expose their true feelings and fears. This fact is incredibly important to know as the story continues on, because it dictates the decisions each character makes.

In some ways, “Popular” serves as an unexpected warning. Though neither Elphaba or Glinda knows it at the time, they will both turn out to be popular in vastly different ways. Elphaba will become the Wicked Witch of the West, while Glinda will become Glinda the Good. Thus, they have risen to the standards that Glinda lays out in “Popular,” but in completely opposing ways. As it turns out, Wicked proves the last line of the song to be true: Elphaba never does become as popular (at least in the positive sense) as Glinda does.