Context

This line was sung by Glinda in "For Good" by Stephen Schwartz from the musical Wicked (2003), written by Stephen Schwartz.

Saying goodbye to an old friend is super sad, and this is what "For Good" is all about. Besties Glinda and Elphaba reflect on their unlikely friendship as Elphie prepares to say goodbye to her friend forever. Turns out the Wicked Witch of the West can't stick around if everyone wants to kill her, even if her best friend is the Good Witch of the North.

Even though they are outwardly enemies, Glinda and Elphaba care deeply about each other. As this song begins, Elphaba gives Glinda the Grimmerie, a special book of powerful spells written in English. (English is a foreign, magical language in Oz.) Elphie knows she will have to fake her own death to get away from the angry Oz mobs forever. But she can't tell Glinda about her secret plan.

Wicked challenges you to look beyond arbitrary labels of "good" and "bad" and questions everything you think you know about the characters in the Wizard of Oz. Once you get to know Elphaba and Glinda, you might be bawling by the time this song plays.

Where you've heard it

You might have heard some variation of this line when you say goodbye to a friend for a while. Like when one of your friends goes to Africa or South America to join the Peace Corps, or just moves across the country for a job opportunity. It's high on the list of emotional farewells.

Additional Notable References:

• Kristin Chenoweth (the original Glinda) and Anna Kendrick did an amazing duet of "For Good" at Trevor Live, an organization that helps LGBT youth. Anna should seriously take a break from doing Pitch Perfect sequels to get back on Broadway.
• Like many other Wicked songs, "For Good" found its way to Glee . Kurt and Rachel sing it together in the Season 2 finale.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

This line is totally genuine, which is the opposite of pretentious. Broadway buffs will need Kleenex if you quote it.