"I'm Not That Girl" is a song featured in the 2024 film Wicked and the 2025 film Wicked: For Good which was written and composed by Stephen Schwartz. It is performed by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp in the first film and reprised by Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland in the second film. This emotionally charged number delves into the complexities of love, loss, and self-acceptance, becoming a pivotal moment in the narrative of both films.
Background[]
In the first film, the song serves as a poignant expression of Elphaba's unrequited love for Fiyero, who is drawn to Glinda's radiant charm. The song encapsulates the pain of longing and the realization of one's own limitations. In the second film, Glinda reprises the song, offering a different perspective on love and loss. Her rendition adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the contrast between the two characters and their evolving understanding of themselves and their relationships.
Lyrics[]
Elphaba:
Hands touch, eyes meet
Sudden silence, sudden heat
Hearts leap in a giddy whirl
He could be that boy
But I'm not that girl
Don't dream too far
Don't lose sight of who you are
Don't remember that rush of joy
He could be that boy
I'm not that girl
Ev'ry so often, we long to steal
To the land of what-might-have-been
But that doesn't soften the ache we feel
When reality sets back in
Blithe smile, lithe limb
She who's winsome, she wins him
Gold hair with a gentle curl
That's the girl he chose
And Heaven knows
I'm not that girl
Don't wish, don't start
Wishing only wounds the heart
I wasn't born for the rose and the pearl
There's a girl I know
He loves her so
I'm not that girl
Glinda:
Don't wish, don't start
Wishing only wounds the heart
There's a girl I know
He loves her so
I'm not that girl
