Popular (Wicked song)

2003 musical song

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"Popular"

Song by Kristin Chenoweth
from the album  Wicked
Released| December 16, 2003
Recorded| November 10, 2003[1]
Genre| Show tune
Label| Decca Broadway
Songwriter(s)| Stephen Schwartz

"Popular" is a song from the musical Wicked, composed by Stephen Schwartz. It was originally recorded on November 10, 2003 by American actress Kristin Chenoweth, who portrayed Glinda in the musical. The song was released as part of the accompanying cast recording on December 16, 2003. The song is about Glinda trying to help her roommate Elphaba become more popular. American singer and actress Ariana Grande performed a version of "Popular" for the 2024 film adaptation of the musical, which was released as a single.

## Composition

[edit]

> The song is "meant to be as shallow as possible. And I think that's why people enjoy it, because it's real funny in that way. But it's also political. Glinda refers to the fact that politicians and heads of state get by not because they're particularly smart, but because people like to hang out with them."[2]

— Stephen Schwartz talking about "Popular"

"Popular" was written by the composer Stephen Schwartz for the first act of the 2003 musical Wicked. It is sung by the character Glinda and is considered the character's definitive song, while also including brief dialogue interludes by Elphaba. While writing the song, Schwartz imagined one of "those cheerleaders" — "She was the most popular girl at school, and she always went out with the captain of the football team. She was always the homecoming queen, blonde with a perky nose – the whole thing." Schwartz has compared the song to the plot of the film Clueless.[2]

In "Popular", Glinda attempts to get Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, to conform to the accepted ideas of beauty and popularity as a means of establishing their newfound friendship. Schwartz described the lyrics as "empty calories" and shallow. The composition of the song is a more bubblegum sound than the rest of the musical, with Beatles influences. Glinda also yodels on the word "popular" because Schwartz was thinking of Oklahoman Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda, while writing the song.[2]

## On stage

[edit]

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Fabi Bang as Glinda in the Brazilian production of Wicked

Stage performances of "Popular" are often accompanied with outlandish physical comedy and improv add-ons by Glinda that highlight her bubbly character and enthusiasm. Examples include exaggerated "hair toss", humorous dance routines, and the "pillow scream" popularized by Alli Mauzey. Occasionally, Glinda's antics may cause the actress playing Elphaba to lose composure and break character to the amusement of the audience and on-stage performers alike.

## Reception and legacy

[edit]

Laura Reineke of the blog Vulture ranked "Popular" as the second-best song from Wicked, calling it "bubbly and refreshingly self-aware" and praising it for showcasing Kristin Chenoweth's singing and comedic talent.[3]

"Popular" was sampled in "Popular Song" by English singer Mika featuring American singer Ariana Grande (who would later portray Glinda in the 2024 film adaptation) from their albums The Origin of Love (2012) and Yours Truly (2013), respectively. It was also sampled by the producer Pheelz in his song "Popular" which features the artiste Vector for his "#A7" audio - visual album.

On July 31, 2013, Kristin Chenoweth performed a lyrically modified version of "Popular" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, about New York politician Anthony Weiner. In it, she tells Weiner how to be "the right kind of popular," and also his wife to "take a page from Hillary and become independent of her hubby, while [Weiner sports] a chat room chubby". Some of the original lyrics are also present.[4]

In late 2014, Chenoweth included a multilingual version of the song in her live album Coming Home. This new rendition includes lyrics from the Japanese and German versions of the song. In 2015, the song was covered in the sixth season of the TV series Glee. It was sung by Lea Michele and Chris Colfer as Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel in the episode "2009". Satirical singer Randy Rainbow made a version called "Unpopular", critical of the President of the United States, Donald Trump.[5]

## Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Popular" by Kristin Chenoweth  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

United Kingdom (BPI)[6] | Silver  | 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Ariana Grande version

[edit]

"Popular"

7-inch vinyl cover

Single by Ariana Grande
from the album  Wicked: The Soundtrack
Released| November 22, 2024
Recorded| 2023
Studio|

* AIR Studios (London, England)[7]
* Power Station (New York, NY)[7]

Genre| Show tune
Length|

* 4:01
* 2:53 (edit)

Label|

* Republic
* Verve

Songwriter(s)| Stephen Schwartz
Producer(s)|

* Greg Wells
* Stephen Oremus
* Stephen Schwartz

Ariana Grande singles chronology
| "The Boy Is Mine"
(2024)  | "Popular"
(2024)  | "Defying Gravity"
(2024)

|
|

Audio video
"Popular" on YouTube

American singer and actress Ariana Grande performed a rendition of "Popular" as Glinda in the first part of Universal Pictures' two-part film adaptation of Wicked, which was released on November 22, 2024.[8] Her version of the song was released the same day on the soundtrack album Wicked: The Soundtrack (2024).[9] It was simultaneously sent to contemporary hit radio in the United States by Republic Records and Verve Records as the lead single from the album.[10][11]

### Composition

[edit]

For the film version, Stephen Schwartz, music producer Greg Wells, and musical supervisor Stephen Oremus wanted to modify the rhythm of the song from the stage musical version.[12] Schwartz confessed that "In the spirit of being open to new things for the movie, my music team and I thought, let's refresh the rhythm. Let's, maybe, I don’t know, hip-hop it up a little bit." However, Grande resisted and said that she wanted to "be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda."[13] She insisted that the song stay true to the original and that all changes to the song felt like they came from Glinda’s motivations and not her own vocal stylings. According to Schwartz, Grande added "little inventive things within it, but I think they are strongly character-based."[12] The song's climax was also extended with additional key changes and vocal extensions as part of the expansion of the film's plot, while also to showcase the range of Grande's talents.[14] Though initially hesitant about performing the extended ending, after Schwartz explained to her how it matched Glinda's behavior, especially visually on-screen, Grande was convinced and went along with the change "wholeheartedly."[12]

### Filming

[edit]

"Popular" was the first song shot for the film, and posed the challenge of creating a "huge, grand number" in the smallest set of a dorm room. Cinematographer Alice Brooks came up with the idea of "Popular" being one long sunrise as opposed to "Defying Gravity" being a sunset, leading to the addition of a skylight in the dorm’s dome ceiling to allow the sun to be the spotlight. For the sequence, costume designer Paul Tazewell created an outfit for Glinda that was a "pink, dotted peignoir with spiraling circles out of ruffles" to reflect the playful and frivolous vibe of the song. For the extended ending of the song, Grande freestyled a set of dance movements in a long hallway set, including a new high kick.[13]

### Critical reception

[edit]

Writing for Billboard, Stephen Daw named "Popular" the third-best song of the soundtrack album and expressed that Grande put all concerns to rest about whether her version would live up to Chenoweth's original. Daw praised the song as "campy", "hilarious", "technically impressive" due to "Grande's killer voice". He also lauded Grande's "comedy chops" for giving Glinda the "outsized vapidity" required for the song and the "stratospheric key-changes" at the end that contributed to its maximalist feel.[15] Similarly, The Daily Telegraph noted that Grande made the song her own while paying homage to Chenoweth's performance and asserted that the song alone "proves that Grande was born to play Glinda".[16]

### Accolades

[edit]

Awards and nominations for "Popular" by Ariana Grande  Organization  | Year  | Category  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Online Film & Television Association | 2024  | Best Adapted Song  | Nominated  | [17]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | 2025 | Favorite Song from a Movie  | Nominated  | [18]

### Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "Popular" by Ariana Grande  Chart (2024–2025)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[19] | 52
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[20] | 77
Global 200 (Billboard)[21] | 54
Ireland (IRMA)[22] | 26
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[23] | 10
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[24] | 8
Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[25] | 46
South Korea Download (Circle)[26] | 93
UK Singles (OCC)[27] | 13
US Billboard Hot 100[28] | 53
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[29] | 27
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[30] | 26

### Certifications

[edit]

Certifications for "Popular" by Ariana Grande  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[31] | Gold  | 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] | Silver  | 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

### Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "Popular" by Ariana Grande  Region  | Date  | Format  | Label(s)  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United States  | November 22, 2024  | Contemporary hit radio |

* Republic
* Verve

| [10][33]
Italy  | December 13, 2024  | Radio airplay | Universal | [34]
Various  | March 21, 2025  | 7-inch vinyl | Republic  | [35]

## See also

[edit]

* Socialite
* Social capital
* Cultural capital

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Gans, Andrew (September 9, 2016). "Original Wicked Cast Recording Goes Vinyl". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-01-05.
2. ^ a b c David Cote (2005). Wicked: The Grimmerie. Hyperion. pp. 78–79. ISBN 1-4013-0820-1.
3. ^ Reineke, Laura (October 30, 2013). "Wicked at 10: Ranking the Broadway Hit's Songs". Vulture. New York. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
4. ^ Lewis, Hilary (July 31, 2013). "Kristin Chenoweth Sings Anthony Weiner-Inspired 'Popular' Parody (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
5. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "UNPOPULAR! - 🎶 Randy Rainbow Song Parody 💄". YouTube. May 2017.
6. ^ "British single certifications – Kristin Chenoweth – Popular". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
7. ^ a b Wicked: The Soundtrack (booklet). Wicked Movie Cast, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande. Universal Studios, Republic Records, Verve Records. 2024.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. ^ Anderton, Joe (9 October 2024). "Wicked movie soundtrack confirms which songs are in first movie". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
9. ^ Paul, Larisha (9 October 2024). "'Wicked: The Soundtrack': Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Perform Half of the Musical's Track List". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
10. ^ a b Fields, Taylor (November 22, 2024). "Ariana Grande's 'Popular' Gets Nationwide Radio Debut". iHeartRadio. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
11. ^ Cantor, Brian (23 November 2024). ""Wicked" Songs "Popular" and "Defying Gravity," Rosé's "Number One Girl" Make Top 100 On US Spotify". iHeartRadio. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
12. ^ a b c Gutterman, Annabel (November 15, 2024). "Stephen Schwartz on Wicked's Biggest Songs". Time. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
13. ^ a b Lee, Ashley (November 25, 2024). "Inside the 'Wicked' musical number that could win Ariana Grande an Oscar". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
14. ^ Sharpe, Josh (November 7, 2024). "'Popular' Number Features Extended Ending in WICKED Movie". Broadway World. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
15. ^ Daw, Stephen (22 November 2024). "Every Song From the 'Wicked' Soundtrack, Ranked From Worst to Best". Billboard. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
16. ^ Collins, Nicole (November 22, 2024). "Father John Misty produces an epic masterpiece – plus the week's best albums". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
17. ^ Neglia, Matt (2025-02-23). "The 2024 Online Film & Television Association (OFTA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
18. ^ Petski, Denise (2025-05-15). "Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar & Selena Gomez Lead 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Nominees; Tyla To Host". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
19. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 9 December 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1814\. Australian Recording Industry Association. December 9, 2024. p. 4.
20. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
21. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
22. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
23. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of March 12, 2025". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 12, 2025.
24. ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. November 29, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
25. ^ Saulo, Gabriel (December 4, 2024). "Cynthia Erivo's "Defying Gravity" and Ariana Grande's "Popular" From 'Wicked' Break Into The Philippines Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
26. ^ "Download Chart – Week 47 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved November 28, 2024.
27. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
28. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
29. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
30. ^ "Ariana Grande Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
31. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Ariana Grande – Popular" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
32. ^ "British single certifications – Ariana Grande – Popular". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
33. ^ "Hot New Releases". Hits. November 22, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
34. ^ Mompellio, Gabriel. "ARIANA GRANDE "Popular" | (Radio Date: 13/12/2024)" (Press release) (in Italian). Airplay Control. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
35. ^ "Wicked: The Soundtrack - Ariana Grande - Popular (Clear Vinyl) 7" - Republic Records Official Store". Republic Records Official Store. Retrieved March 1, 2025.

* v
* t
* e

The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire

Books|

| The Wicked Years|

* Wicked (1995)
* Son of a Witch (2005)
* A Lion Among Men (2008)
* Out of Oz (2011)

|

Another Day|

* The Brides of Maracoor (2021)
* The Oracle of Maracoor (2022)
* The Witch of Maracoor (2023)

Other|

* Tales Told in Oz (2012)
* Elphie: A Wicked Childhood (2025)

Characters|

* Elphaba
* Wicked Witch of the West
* Glinda
* Fiyero
* Nessarose
* Boq
* Madame Morrible
* Wizard of Oz
* Cowardly Lion
* Dorothy Gale

Musical|

| Songs|

* "The Wizard and I"
* "Popular"
* "Defying Gravity"
* "As Long as You're Mine"
* "No Good Deed"
* "For Good"

|

Other|

* Awards and nominations
* Wannabe Wicked
* A Very Wicked Halloween

Films|

* Wicked (2024)
* soundtrack
* score
* accolades
* Wicked: For Good (2025)

* v
* t
* e

Kristin Chenoweth

Credits

Studio albums|

* Let Yourself Go
* As I Am
* A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas
* Some Lessons Learned
* The Art of Elegance
* For the Girls

Live albums|

* Coming Home

Songs|

* "Popular"
* "Defying Gravity"
* "For Good"
* "I Want Somebody (Bitch About)"

Concerts|

* Kristin Chenoweth at Carnegie Hall
* Kristin Chenoweth Live at Walt Disney Concert Hall
* Kristin Chenoweth Live at the Met
* Kristin Chenoweth in Concert
* Coming Home Tour
* Kristin Chenoweth: My Love Letter to Broadway
* Kristin Chenoweth: For the Girls

Books|

* A Little Bit Wicked

* v
* t
* e

Lea Michele

* Awards and nominations
* Discography
* Filmography

Studio albums|

* Louder
* Places
* Christmas in the City
* Forever

Singles|

* "Cannonball"
* "On My Way"
* "Love Is Alive"

Other songs|

* "If You Say So"
* "Popular"
* "Defying Gravity"
* "For Good"
* "Don't Rain on My Parade"
* "I'm the Greatest Star"
* "People"

Concert tours|

* Once Upon a Dream
* An Intimate Evening with Lea Michele
* LM/DC Tour (with Darren Criss)
* Christmas in NYC: Live in Concert

Books|

* Brunette Ambition

Related articles|

* Hester Ulrich
* Rachel Berry
* Glee Live! In Concert!

* v
* t
* e

Ariana Grande songs

* Discography
* Songs

Yours Truly|

* "The Way"
* "Baby I"
* "Right There"
* "Almost Is Never Enough"
* "Popular Song"

Christmas Kisses|

* "Last Christmas"
* "Santa Baby"
* "Santa Tell Me"

My Everything|

* "Problem"
* "One Last Time"
* "Break Free"
* "Best Mistake"
* "Love Me Harder"
* "Bang Bang"

Dangerous Woman|

* "Dangerous Woman"
* "Be Alright"
* "Into You"
* "Side to Side"
* "Let Me Love You"
* "Greedy"
* "Everyday"
* "Focus"

Sweetener|

* "The Light Is Coming"
* "R.E.M."
* "God Is a Woman"
* "Sweetener"
* "Everytime"
* "Breathin"
* "No Tears Left to Cry"
* "Goodnight n Go"
* "Pete Davidson"
* "Get Well Soon"

Thank U, Next|

* "Imagine"
* "Needy"
* "NASA"
* "Bloodline"
* "Bad Idea"
* "Ghostin"
* "In My Head"
* "7 Rings"
* "Thank U, Next"
* "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored"
* "Monopoly"

Positions|

* "34+35"
* "Motive"
* "Off the Table"
* "My Hair"
* "Positions"
* "POV"

Eternal Sunshine|

* "Intro (End of the World)"
* "Bye"
* "Saturn Returns Interlude"
* "Eternal Sunshine"
* "True Story"
* "The Boy Is Mine"
* "Yes, And?"
* "We Can't Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)"
* "Imperfect for You"

| Brighter Days Ahead|

* "Twilight Zone"

|

Wicked: The Soundtrack|

* "Popular"
* "Defying Gravity"

Other songs|

* "Put Your Hearts Up"
* "E più ti penso"
* "What Do You Mean?" (remix)
* "Beauty and the Beast"
* "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
* "Earth"
* "Boyfriend"
* "Don't Call Me Angel"
* "Stuck with U"
* "Rain on Me"
* "Save Your Tears" (remix)
* "It Was a... (Masked Christmas)"
* "Santa, Can't You Hear Me"
* "Just Look Up"
* "Die for You" (remix)
* "Fantasize"

As featured artist|

* "Give It Up"
* "L.A. Boyz"
* "All My Love"
* "Get on Your Knees"
* "Research"
* "Adore"
* "Boys Like You"
* "Over and Over Again"
* "My Favorite Part"
* "Faith"
* "Heatstroke"
* "Dance to This"
* "Bed"
* "Rule the World"
* "Good as Hell" (remix)
* "Time"
* "Oh Santa!"
* "Met Him Last Night"
* "Sympathy Is a Knife" (remix)

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

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