Drawing us in with intricacy and atmosphere, Matt Johnson opens his piano cover of For Good with a high emotional quotient, aligned with the original version from the musical, Wicked, composed by Stephen Schwartz. We appreciate the instrumental mastery and the passion that the cover is performed with.
Needless to say, due to the release of the films Wicked and the sequel Wicked: For Good, the story of Glinda and Elphaba has been dominating pop culture for the last two years, so we appreciate the timely nature of this release. Matt Johnson showcases his passion for the sentiment of the track, and his skillful connection with the architecture of the composition.
For Good is such a culturally important song because it captures the idea that meaningful relationships change people permanently, making it one of the most widely recognized musical theatre songs about friendship, growth, and lasting impact.
Matt Johnson‘s interpretation brings this to life perfectly. He acknowledges the drama along with the emotion and truly delivers the track in a way that would make fans so happy. Most compelling is Matt’s control of rhythm as he confidently adjusts the tempo to make the performance feel unmistakably human.
Nothing sounds mechanical or overly rehearsed, and the music instead feels natural, organic and emotive. Even without lyrics or orchestration, he preserves the core sentiment of the piece, honouring Schwartz whilst presenting it in a more intimate and reflective way. It truly could fit perfectly in the film.
We are in awe, and truly have been changed. We have added For Good to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of Matt Johnson, including It’s Finally Out, and Dance of Joy.