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Wicked is not a happy canon, especially after Fiyero's death. It's pretty angsty and emo, but still awesome.
Fiyero is a bit of a contradiction. He's cheerful, an optimist, and sizzling hot. And occasionally he goes into long internal monologues about how he is worthless and has nothing to live for.
...Yeah.
In camp it's a little worse - he knows he's going to die when he gets home, and that his girlfriend (and presumably family) will be absolutely traumatized.
In honour of my incredibly confusing, contradictory character, then, a soundtrack of both happy and sad, optimism and angst. Click on the song titles to download them.
If you listen to it in order, it sounds better. Promise.
1. Children of Africa, from African Footprint. [Lyrics]
Its hope and its soul/We leave our footprints for history/We're here to stay.
We know very little about the Vinkus, about the tribes, about how life in Kiamo Ko went when Fiyero was young - or even when he was still alive in the Emerald City. I think he was the hope of his people, the one who would carry on a glorious tradition of tribal princes. This song is for his youth, for his people, and for his belief that the future would be bright and wonderful.
2. Dead Man Walking, Mary Chapin Carpenter. [Lyrics]
You never had a dream like this/Never felt the cold, cold steel/Slam you like a fist/Break you down until you kneel
Somehow this song almost perfectly describes Fiyero's death, and his thoughts only a few hours before he died. And I suspect it also described Elphaba's thoughts when a dead man walking arrives in camp.
3. Run, Snow Patrol. [Lyrics]
Light up, light up - /As if you have a choice - /Even if you cannot hear my voice/I'll be right beside you, dear.
Warm, gentle and hopeful, this is a song for the happy, trusting, optimistic side of Fiyero.
4. The Last Song, Theory of a Deadman. [Lyrics]
I missed the last song/I blame myself for just standing there too long.
Angst! Emo! Regret! This is very much a Yero-in-camp song, blaming himself for Elphaba's pain and wishing desperately that he could go back and change everything - but knowing that if he does, it could make things even worse.
5. How To Save A Life, The Fray. [Lyrics]
I'd have stayed up with you all night/Had I known how to save a life...
This...just seems so Elphaba and Fiyero. I'm not even entirely sure why.
6. So Cold, Breaking Benjamin. [Lyrics]
You're so cold but you feel alive/Lay your hands on me one last time...
We need some angry, angsty rock on this, oh yes. Just listen to (or read) the lyrics. They're perfect.
7. Hips Don't Lie (Bamboo), Shakira. [Lyrics]
People in the front, don't fight tonight/People in the side, don't fight tonight/People in the back, don't fight tonight/Don't fight tonight -/Don't fight tonight!
Stop laughing. Look at the sample lyrics XD. There's plenty of emo in this soundtrack already, but Fiyero's not all emo. He's a strong, handsome, sexy man. I like this version because of the 'no fighting' lines for my negotiator prince. Also, the background chorus and the beat rock, and the entire feel of it is like good times in the Winkie tribes. Yes it is.
...okay, you can laugh again now, but download the song. It's awesome. Yes, more awesome than the original.
8. Here, Idina Menzel. [Lyrics]
I'll be waiting by the window with a view of the park at night./No matter how long it takes you, never fails, you come through every night.
Elphaba was always so confident that no matter what she did to Fiyero, he'd come back when she told him to. And over and over again, he did.
And then one night he came home far too soon.
Bonus points: this is sung by Idina Menzel, one of the best-known Elphabas in the musical's run.
9. Colorblind, Counting Crows. [Lyrics]
I am ready, I am ready, I am ready/I am...fine.
It might just be me, but 'I am ready, I am fine' always sounds like a lie. Which is why it's on here! And also becaue Fiyero - unlike almost everyone else in Wicked - does not care what colour Elphaba is.
10. Ballare, Cirque du Soleil's Dralion. [Lyrics]
Sempre per la vita/Sempre per l'amor'/Ballare per te/Amore
Full of yearning, loss and desire, and so very simple and pretty, Ballare is for that last dance before it all ends.
11. Crucify My Love, X Japan. [Lyrics]
Is it a crime to love?
A song of sacrifice. It's so simple and gentle and peaceful that it had to be included.
12. Time To Say Goodbye, Sarah Brightman & Andrea Bocelli. [Lyrics]
E io si lo so/Che sei con me, con me/Tu mia luna tu sei qui con me/Mio sole tu sei qui con me. (And yes, I know/That you are with me, with me/You, my moon, are here with me/My sun, you are here with me.)
Stately, regal, and a beautiful duet. Listen to (or read) the words. It's just gorgeous.
13. Final Goodbye, Rihanna. [Lyrics]
It's you that I live for, and for you I die/So I'll lay here with you til the final goodbye.
The message is perfect, and a couple of lines - 'Outside the world wages its wars' and 'I'll rest in peace' are just so right that there's no way this song could not be included.
14. Who Wants To Live Forever, Queen. [Lyrics]
There's no chance for us,/It's all decided for us./This world has only one sweet moment set aside for us.
A beautiful, sad, defiant song for a hero going into battle knowing he's about to die. For Fiyero when he thinks of going home.
15. All I Know, Five For Fighting. [Lyrics]
I love you/And that's all I know.
'So that's that, then, and that's it. And I love you. So I promise to be careful.'
Fiyero never speaks again. This song - the last with vocals - reinforces his final words.
16. Caoineadh Cu Chulainn (Lament), Bill whelan. [Instrumental]
Lament for the death of a hero.