What Is This Feeling – English Lyrics

• By: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo
• Album: Wicked The Soundtrack

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of Oz with "What Is This Feeling," a pivotal song from the musical *Wicked*, performed by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. This track offers a fascinating linguistic study, as it masterfully uses dramatic irony to describe powerful emotions that sound like love but are labeled as "loathing." By exploring its witty lyrics and the paradoxical expressions, you can uncover how English can convey complex feelings through clever wordplay and subtext, making it a truly special piece for language learners.

[English]

Dearest, darlingest Momsie and Popsical

My dear Father

There's been some confusion over rooming here at Shiz

But of course, I'll care for Nessa

But of course, I'll rise above it

For I know that's how you'd want me to respond

Yes

There's been some confusion for, you see, my roommate is

Unusually and exceedingly peculiar

And altogether quite impossible to describe

Blonde

...

What is this feeling, so sudden and new

I felt the moment I laid eyes on you?

My pulse is rushing

My head is reeling

Yeah, well, my face is flushing

What is this feeling, fervid as a flame?

Does it have a name?

Yes

...

Loathing

Unadulterated loathing

For your face, your voice, your clothing

Let's just say, I loathe it all

Every little trait, however small

Makes my very flesh begin to crawl

With simple, utter loathing

There's a strange exhilaration

In such total detestation

It's so pure, so strong

Though I do admit it came on fast

Still I do believe that it can last

And I will be loathing, loathing you my whole life long

Dear Galinda, you are just too good

How do you stand it? I don't think I could

She's a terror, she's a tartar

We don't mean to show a bias

But, Galinda, you're a martyr

Well, these things are sent to try us

...

Poor Galinda, forced to reside

With someone so disgusticified

We just want to tell you, we're all on your side!

We share your loathing

What is this feeling, so sudden and new (unadulterated loathing)

I felt the moment I laid eyes on you? (For her face, her voice, her clothing)

My pulse is rushing (let's just say)

My head is reeling (we loathe it all)

Oh, what is this feeling? (Every little trait, however small)

Does it have a name? (Makes our very flesh begin to crawl)

Yes, ah, ah

Loathing (loathing)

There's a strange exhilaration (loathing)

In such total detestation (loathing)

It's so pure, so strong (so strong)

Though I do admit it came on fast

Still I do believe that it can last

And I will be loathing, for forever loathing

Truly, deeply loathing you (loathing you)

My whole life long (loathing, unadulterated loathing)

Boo!

Ah!

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
feeling /ˈfiːlɪŋ/ A2	noun - an emotional state or reaction.
sudden /ˈsʌdn/ B1	adjective - happening quickly and unexpectedly.
new /njuː/ A1	adjective - recently made, invented, or developed.
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - organs used for seeing.
pulse /pʌls/ B2	noun - rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them. verb - to throb rhythmically.
head /hɛd/ A1	noun - the part of the body above the neck where the brain is.
face /feɪs/ A1	noun - the front part of the head.
flushing /ˈflʌʃɪŋ/ B2	verb - to become red in the face, typically as a result of embarrassment or shame.
fervid /ˈfɜːrvɪd/ C1	adjective - intensely enthusiastic or passionate.
flame /fleɪm/ B1	noun - a hot bright stream of burning gas from something that is burning.
name /neɪm/ A1	noun - a word or words by which someone or something is known.
loathing /ˈləʊðɪŋ/ C1	noun - intense dislike or disgust; hatred.
exhilaration /ɪɡˌzɪləˈreɪʃən/ C2	noun - a feeling of excitement, happiness, or elation.
detestation /ˌdiːtɛˈsteɪʃən/ C2	noun - intense dislike; hatred.
pure /pjʊər/ B1	adjective - not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material.
strong /strɒŋ/ A2	adjective - having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
trait /treɪt/ B2	noun - a distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person.
flesh /fleʃ/ B2	noun - the soft substance consisting of muscle and fat that is found between the skin and bones of a human or animal body.
crawl /krɔːl/ B1	verb - to move on your hands and knees.
terror /ˈterər/ B2	noun - extreme fear.
martyr /ˈmɑːrtər/ C1	noun - a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.