Foster was born in Statesboro, Georgia, on March 18, 1975 and raised in Troy, Michigan. At the age of fifteen, she was a contestant on the television show Star Search (competing against future Broadway actor Richard Blake) and also auditioned for the cast of The Mickey Mouse Club. She left Troy High School, where she had been active in the Troy Theatre Ensemble, before her senior year (she received her diploma via correspondence courses) to be in the national tour of The Will Rogers Follies directed by Tommy Tune. She then attended Carnegie Mellon University for one year, but left to pursue a theatrical career full-time.
Foster's big break was reminiscent of 42nd Street when, during rehearsals of the pre-Broadway run of Thoroughly Modern Millie at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, she was pulled from the chorus to replace the leading lady. Any apprehension about an unknown playing the lead in a nearly $10 million Broadway production was proven unfounded when she opened at the Marquis Theatre to primarily rave reviews. Foster went on to win a Tony Award in 2002 for the Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
In 2005, Foster starred as Jo March opposite Maureen McGovern as Marmee in the short-lived musical adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott classic Little Women, for which she was nominated for her second Tony Award.
In May 2006, Foster returned to the Marquis Theatre on Broadway in the role of Janet van de Graff, a famous Broadway starlet who opts to forego a stage career in favor of married life, in The Drowsy Chaperone, a spoof of 1920's musicals, for which she earned her third Tony nomination.
Among Foster's other credits include Eponine in the third U.S. national tour of Les Miserables (a role she had understudied on Broadway) and Sandy in the national tour of Grease.
She also starred as Michelle on the ABC Family TV show "Bunheads."
Defying Gravity
Sutton Foster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes... and leap!
It's time to try
I think I'll try
Kiss me goodbye
I am defying gravity
And you wont bring me down!
I'm through accepting limits
'cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!
I'd sooner buy
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try
And you wont bring me down!
I'd sooner buy
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try
And you won't bring me down!
bring me down!
ohh ohhh ohhhh!
The song "Defying Gravity" is a powerful anthem that celebrates the idea of breaking free from limitations and embracing one's own potential. The lyrics tell the story of a person who has undergone a transformation, realizing that they no longer want to live by the rules set forth by others. The phrase "something has changed within me, something is not the same" exemplifies this idea beautifully. They are tired of second-guessing and living in fear, and they declare that it's time to "defy gravity" and pursue their dreams with conviction.
The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, as it encourages the listener to join in and defy gravity alongside the singer. The repeated phrase "I'm defying gravity, and you won't bring me down!" is almost cathartic, evoking a sense of freedom and liberation. The song concludes with the singer declaring that they are ready to take the leap and embrace their new path, no matter what the costs may be.
Overall, "Defying Gravity" is an inspiration for anyone who may be feeling stuck, fearful, or uncertain about their life's direction. Sutton Foster's powerful vocals coupled with the poignant lyrics make this song an absolute masterpiece.
Line by Line Meaning
Something has changed within me
I've experienced a transformation within myself
Something is not the same
Things are no longer as they used to be
I'm through with playing by the rules
I refuse to live by someone else's standards
Of someone else's game
Of someone else's plan or agenda
Too late for second-guessing
It's too far gone for doubts or second thoughts
Too late to go back to sleep
I can't just ignore the situation anymore
It's time to trust my instincts
I need to rely on my own intuition
Close my eyes... and leap!
Take a risk and go for it even if it's scary
I'm defying gravity
I'm breaking free from constraints and limitations
I think I'll try
I'm willing to attempt something new
Kiss me goodbye
Saying farewell to the things that held me back
I'm through accepting limits
I refuse to believe that there are unnecessary obstacles
'cause someone says they're so
Just because someone else says that it's impossible
Some things I cannot change
There are certain things beyond my control
But till I try, I'll never know!
I won't know what I'm capable of until I give it a shot
Well, if that's love
If love is holding me back
It comes at much too high a cost!
It's not worth the price of sacrificing my dreams
And you won't bring me down!
I won't let anyone bring me back to where I was before
bring me down!
Diminish my spirit or drive
Contributed by Nolan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
_ jj_honey
Something has changed within me...
Something is not the same...
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game...
Too late for second-guessing,
Too late to go back to sleep!
It's time to trust my instincts,
Close my eyes...
...And leap!
It's time to try defying gravity...
I think I'll try defying gravity,
And you won't bring me down...
I'm through accepting limits
'Cause someone says they're so!
Some things I cannot change,
But 'til I try, I'll never know!
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost!
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost!
I'd sooner buy defying gravity...
Kiss me goodbye!
I'm defying gravity,
And you can't pull me down...
Unlimited...
My future is unlimited!
And I've just had a vision,
Almost like a prophecy!
I know, it sounds truly crazy,
And it's true, the vision's hazy,
But I swear, someday I will be...
Up in the sky, defying gravity!
Flying so high defying gravity!
And you'll never bring me down...
So if you care to find me,
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately,
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly!!"
And if I'm flying solo,
At least I'm flying free!
To those who'd ground me,
Take a message back from me...
Tell them how I am defying gravity!
I'm flying high, defying gravity!!
And soon I'll match them in reknown!
And nobody!
In all of Oz!
No wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring...
Me down!!
Bring me down!
Ah Aaaaah!!!
Kawaii Girl Juanita
Shes the only person I have ever heard sing the climax of this song (Bring me downnn!!) with as much support, resonance, no strain or pitchyness.
mrk188
@kathryn cotter I love Idina Menzel but she cannot hold a CANDLE to Sutton or sooooooo many other Broadway singers. Her Tony performance was abysmal. And she did the role for less than a year. Willemijn Verkaik played Elphable for 5 years in 3 languages (including on Broadway) and her voice held up because she is a SINGER!!!
Max Şamil
@luxe Yeah okay her West End run and spring 2004 were p bad. She smoked a lot in 2005 so when she went to the west end her voice was p much destroyed and her technique was bad as well (not that it was amazing on Broadway, but it was a lot better). However apart from those few months, she was quite consistent
luxe
@Max Şamil near the end it caused some vocal damage I’m pretty sure
Max Şamil
@BaronEurchild When was Idina flat in the show?
BaronEurchild
I am amazed Menzel got the part. Always so flat.
Ben Schaeffer
She's SO GREAT! I am OBSESSED with Younger. I watch EVERY episode just for HER.
Vegan Soul Mama
Same!
Noncreativenamehere
I just discovered the show during quarantine and well ended up watching all six seasons
Here’s to June 2020 !!!
Bree Thomas
Same and I find it hilarious when people find out she can sing and dance because they have no idea of her background