Ariana Grande’s recent work has been significantly shaped by her involvement in the Wicked film adaptation, culminating in the release of the soundtrack on . The soundtrack features twelve songs, including “A Wicked Good Finale” performed with Cynthia Erivo and the wider cast, and “Thank Goodness / I Couldn’t Be Happier” featuring Michelle Yeoh. Other tracks include “The Girl in the Bubble,” “I’m Not That Girl (Reprise),” “Wonderful,” and “Every Day More” also featuring Michelle Yeoh.
A Return to Soundtracks and a Continued Presence
Grande’s participation in Wicked marks a notable return to soundtrack work, building on a career already established across multiple platforms. Her music is readily available on major streaming services including Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Spotify reports she has 106.9 million monthly listeners as of today, .
Sweetener: A Turning Point
Looking back at her discography, Grande’s 2018 album Sweetener is often cited as a pivotal moment in her artistic evolution. The album represented a shift in perspective for the artist, described as feeling “more present than ever” and seeing “colours more” – a change she attributed to a new outlook following the tragic events at her Manchester concert. That event, which resulted in 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries, “left Grande ‘permanently affected’,” according to reports at the time.
Sweetener explored themes of love, happiness, strength, and womanhood. The album’s sound was characterized by tropical influences, as heard in “blazed,” and harmonies described as “rainbow clouds” thanks to the production work of Pharrell Williams, who produced over half of the album. The album also saw Grande address past relationships, notably with the track “better off,” and deliver a “feminine, sex-positive anthem” in “God is a woman,” which she herself called her “favourite thing I’ll probably ever do.”
Multi-Platform Availability and Fan Engagement
Grande’s music isn’t limited to the major streaming giants. She also maintains a presence on SoundCloud, allowing fans to directly stream her tracks, albums, and playlists. This multi-platform approach underscores her commitment to reaching audiences wherever they consume music.
The Wicked Soundtrack: A Deeper Dive
The Wicked soundtrack, released late last year, offers a glimpse into Grande’s current artistic direction. Beyond the featured collaborations with Erivo and Yeoh, the soundtrack includes several variations of key songs from the musical, including different edits and live recordings. “For Good” appears in multiple versions – an edit from the soundtrack itself, and a live performance captured at the Gershwin Theatre. Similarly, “Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again” is presented as a live recording from the Dolby Theatre.
The inclusion of both studio recordings and live performances suggests a desire to showcase the breadth of the Wicked experience, offering fans a taste of both the polished production and the energy of a live show. The soundtrack also includes “Wicked: For Good (Original Motion Picture Score)” indicating a full orchestral score is also available.
Continued Relevance and Streaming Dominance
With a substantial monthly listener base on Spotify and availability across multiple streaming platforms, Ariana Grande remains a dominant force in the music industry. Her recent work on the Wicked soundtrack demonstrates a continued willingness to explore new creative avenues while maintaining a strong connection with her established fanbase. The success of Sweetener, born from a period of personal challenge, continues to resonate as a testament to her artistic resilience and ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level. Her ability to navigate both mainstream pop and large-scale musical productions like Wicked positions her as a versatile and enduring figure in contemporary entertainment.
