Defying Gravity
Wicked [original broadway cast] Lyrics


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Glinda
Elphaba, why couldn't you have stayed calm for once? Instead of flying off the handle!
I hope you're happy
I hope you're happy now
I hope you're happy how you've hurt your cause forever
I hope you think you're clever

Elphaba
I hope you're happy
I hope you're happy too
I hope you're proud how you would grovel in submission
To feed your own ambition

Both
So though I can't imagine how
I hope you're happy right now

Glinda
Elphie, listen to me. Just say you're sorry!
You can still be with the Wizard
What you've worked and waited for
You can have all you ever wanted...

Elphaba
I know
But I don't want it
No!
I can't want it anymore...

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 can't pull me down

Glinda
Can't I make you understand
You're having delusions of grandeur?

Elphaba
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!

Glinda, come with me. Think of what we could do together!
Unlimited, together we're unlimited
Together we'll be the greatest team there's ever been
Glinda, dreams the way we planned 'em

Glinda
If we work in tandem

Both
There's no fight we cannot win
Just you and I, defying gravity
With you and I defying gravity

Elphaba
They'll never bring us down!
Well, are you coming?

Glinda
I hope you're happy, now that you're choosing this...

Elphaba
You too.
I hope it brings you bliss...

Both
I really hope you get it
And you don't live to regret it
I hope you're happy in the end
I hope you're happy, my friend

Elphaba
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 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 renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!

Glinda
I hope you're happy

Citizens of Oz
Look at her, she's wicked
Get her!

Elphaba
Bring me down!

Citizens of Oz
No one mourns the wicked
So we've got to bring her...

Elphaba
Ahhhh!





Citizens of Oz
...down!

Overall Meaning

The song, "Defying Gravity," from the Broadway musical Wicked follows the two main characters, Elphaba and Glinda, as they argue over their differing ideologies. Glinda pleads with Elphaba to apologize for her actions against the Wizard of Oz and join him, promising Elphaba everything she desires. However, Elphaba has had enough of conforming to the expectations of society and decides to trust her own instincts and fly, defying gravity. She is determined to defy the limits people have placed on her and pursue her dreams, no matter the cost. The citizens of Oz label Elphaba as wicked and take action to bring her down, but she is resolute in her decision to fly freely, un shackled by the standards of society.


This song is a powerful anthem for anyone who has felt confined by the rules of society and longed to break free. It encourages listeners to trust their own instincts and pursue their dreams, no matter how difficult or daunting it may seem. At its core, the song is about the power of individuality and the importance of being true to oneself.


Line by Line Meaning

I hope you're happy
Sarcastic line addressed to Glinda. Elphaba is implying that Glinda is not really happy for her and is instead trying to bring her down.


I hope you're happy now
Continuation of the sarcastic line above, indicating that whatever Glinda has done has not affected Elphaba's happiness or resolve.


I hope you're happy how you've hurt your cause forever
Elphaba is accusing Glinda of damaging their shared cause - fighting for the rights of the marginalized people of Oz - irreparably by betraying her and siding with the Wizard.


I hope you think you're clever
Elphaba is implying that Glinda is naive to think that siding with the Wizard will bring her power and success in the long run. She is suggesting that Glinda is only interested in gaining power and doesn't care about the greater good.


I hope you're happy too
Elphaba is now addressing Glinda's happiness more sincerely. She is wishing that Glinda is also truly happy and not just pretending to be happy for the sake of appearances.


I hope you're proud how you would grovel in submission
Elphaba is accusing Glinda of bowing down to the Wizard, no longer standing up for what she believes in, and losing her independence in the process.


To feed your own ambition
Elphaba is suggesting that Glinda is sacrificing her moral compass in her pursuit of power and fame, and pointing out that this is hardly honorable or admirable behavior.


So though I can't imagine how
Elphaba is acknowledging that she doesn't know how her life is going to turn out without Glinda by her side. However, this uncertainty won't stop her from moving forward.


I hope you're happy right now
Reprise of earlier sarcastic line, suggesting that Glinda's current choices will lead to more problems down the road.


I know
Elphaba agrees with Glinda that she could be with the Wizard if she wanted to be, but...


But I don't want it
Elphaba knows that being with the Wizard would compromise her beliefs and morals. She would rather be true to herself and her cause than compromise for power.


No!
Emphatic refusal to even consider the possibility of being with the Wizard.


I can't want it anymore...
Elphaba realizes that the things that were once important to her are no longer relevant. She has grown as a person and has different priorities now.


Something has changed within me
Elphaba is acknowledging her personal growth and the changes that have taken place within her. She is no longer the same person she was before.


Something is not the same
This line is a continuation of the previous one, emphasizing that Elphaba's transformation has been a fundamental one, affecting her entire worldview and the way she approaches life.


I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game
Elphaba is no longer willing to conform to society's expectations or follow the traditional rules set forth by others. She wants to make her own path.


Too late for second-guessing
Elphaba has already made up her mind and is not second-guessing herself anymore. She is confident in her decision to be true to herself.


Too late to go back to sleep
Elphaba has awakened to the truth and cannot go back to the way things were before. She is now fully committed to taking a new direction in life.


It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes, and leap...
Elphaba is taking a leap of faith into the unknown, but she knows that it's the right decision because it's the one that feels true to who she is.


It's time to try defying gravity
Elphaba is making a bold statement here. She is determined to try something unconventional and leave behind her old way of living, taking control of her destiny.


I think I'll try defying gravity
Elphaba is building her confidence as she takes this new direction in life, embracing her newfound strength and defying her old limits.


And you can't pull me down
This is a message to everyone - Elphaba is claiming her independence and saying that no one can hold her back or stop her from finding her own path.


Can't I make you understand
Glinda is trying to convince Elphaba to go back to the way things were, to conform to society's expectations and to live a traditional life.


You're having delusions of grandeur?
Glinda is questioning Elphaba's new path, suggesting that Elphaba is being arrogant and unrealistic in her ambitions.


I'm through accepting limits 'cause someone says they're so
Elphaba recognizes that societal norms and expectations have created limits to what she can achieve, but she is no longer willing to accept those limits.


Some things I cannot change, but 'til I try, I'll never know
Elphaba admits that there are some things beyond her control. However, she is willing to take a chance and try to change the things she can control. At least she will know that she tried.


Too long I've been afraid of losing love I guess I've lost
Elphaba has spent a long time trying to please others and earn their love, but in doing so, she has lost touch with who she truly is. It's a harsh truth, but one that she has come to accept.


Well if that's love, it comes at much too high a cost
Elphaba is questioning the nature of love and whether it's really worth sacrificing one's own happiness and integrity to achieve it. She has decided that it's not.


I'd sooner buy defying gravity
Elphaba is valuing her own sense of identity and independence over the conventional idea of love. She would rather take a risk and be true to herself than compromise for love.


Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity
Elphaba is saying goodbye to her old way of life and embracing her new path wholeheartedly. She is taking control of her life and taking a bold step forward.


Unlimited, together we're unlimited
Glinda is still trying to convince Elphaba to follow the old path, emphasizing the potential of their friendship and the power of the status quo.


Together we'll be the greatest team there's ever been
Glinda is making a grand claim here, but at the same time, she is also implying that they can only achieve greatness if they work together and stay the course.


Glinda, dreams the way we planned 'em
Glinda is still hung up on the idea of conforming to society's expectations and achieving dreams that have been set for them. She wants Elphaba to be a part of her plans.


If we work in tandem
Glinda is putting forth the idea that they can only succeed if they work together as a team, following the conventional path and doing what's expected of them.


There's no fight we cannot win
Glinda is painting a rosy picture of their future, emphasizing their special bond and the fact that they can conquer any obstacles together.


Just you and I, defying gravity
Despite their differences, Glinda still feels a sense of camaraderie and bond with Elphaba. She is hoping that they can unite and accomplish great things together.


They'll never bring us down!
Elphaba is declaring her independence and pushing back against societal expectations. She is determined to chart her own course and overcome any obstacles that come her way.


Well, are you coming?
Elphaba is inviting Glinda to join her on this new path of defying gravity and pushing back against societal norms. However, it's clear that Glinda is not interested in joining her.


No one mourns the wicked
This is the citizens of Oz singing, expressing their discomfort and mistrust of anyone who is different or deviates from the status quo. Elphaba, as the 'wicked' one, is their scapegoat.


So we've got to bring her...
This line indicates that the citizens of Oz are determined to bring Elphaba down, no matter what it takes.


Bring me down!
Despite the odds, Elphaba is still determined to keep pushing forward and defying gravity. She will not be stopped.


I really hope you get it
This is a message to everyone who has doubted Elphaba throughout her life. She is hoping that they finally 'get it' - that they see the truth in her actions and motivations.


And you don't live to regret it
Elphaba is hoping that the choices she makes will not lead to regret later on. She is taking this new direction in life with her eyes wide open.


I hope you're happy in the end
This line indicates that Elphaba still cares about Glinda's happiness and well-being, even though they have gone separate ways. She wants her to be happy and fulfilled in life.


So if you care to find me, look to the Western sky!
This is a message to anyone who wants to find Elphaba. She is saying that she will be visible and open about her new path, and people can find her if they look hard enough.


As someone told me lately, everyone deserves the chance to fly
This is an important line, as it expresses the idea that everyone deserves the chance to fulfill their potential and reach for the stars, regardless of their background or circumstances.


And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free
Elphaba is pointing out that even though she may be alone on her new path, she is still free and unconstrained by societal expectations.


To those who ground me, take a message back from me!
Elphaba is sending a message to anyone who has held her back or tried to control her in the past. She is saying that she is moving forward and leaving them behind.


Tell them how I am defying gravity
Elphaba wants people to know that she is charting a new path for herself, taking control of her own destiny, and defying societal norms.


I'm flying high, defying gravity
This is a triumphant line, expressing Elphaba's confidence and determination as she takes a bold step forward in life.


And soon I'll match them in renown
Elphaba is saying that she will rise to fame and fortune in her own right, without needing to rely on the conventional path and societal expectations.


And nobody in all of Oz
This line emphasizes that Elphaba is truly unique and independent - the only one willing to defy gravity and push back against societal norms in this way.


No Wizard that there is or was
Elphaba is also pointing out the Wizard's lack of power and influence in the grand scheme of things. He may have once held sway over her, but he no longer does.


Is ever gonna bring me down!
This is a triumphant line that emphasizes Elphaba's independence and determination in the face of the opposition. She will keep pushing forward and defying gravity, no matter what anyone else says or does.


Look at her, she's wicked
This is the citizens of Oz singing again, emphasizing their mistrust and disdain for anyone who does not conform to societal norms. This time, they are focused specifically on Elphaba.




Contributed by Lucy S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@paulasanchez-xl3cd

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
Kiss me goodbye, I'm 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 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 defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you won't bring me down
Unlimited (unlimited)
My future is (my future is) unlimited (unlimited)
And I've just had a vision, almost like a prophecy
I know, it sounds truly crazy
And true, the vision's hazy
But I swear, someday I'll be
Flying so high (defying gravity)
Kiss me goodbye (defying gravity)
So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky
As someone told me lately
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly"
I'm defying gravity
And you won't bring me down
Bring me down



All comments from YouTube:

@janinaa9569

This never fails to uplift me when I’m feeling down. My future is unlimited indeed

@poetrait941

same here

@gc7722

You have no idea how much this song saved me. When I was getting divorced, I lost myself. This song reminded me that I deserve more. That I am allowed to fight for myself. That I am allowed to love myself. That I don't need someone to validate me. That who I love is a choice. I will carry this song in my heart for the rest of my life and teach what it taught me to my children.

@garfieldthecat6889

I'm sorry to hear about your divorce. I don't know whether you're single or married, but if you're single, I'll be more than happy to help you find your soulmate. I am a matchmaker after all.

@Valyrisss

😊😅😅😅±0

@nerosparda5

I hope you’re happy.

@garfieldthecat6889

@@nerosparda5 😄😁😆😅🤣😂 That's one of the lyrics to the song.

@melaniegonzalez8316

that’s so beautiful <3

8 More Replies...

@TheLeoryan

AND IF I’M FLYING SOLO
AT LEAST I’M FLYING FREE💚

@ernestoarroyo7704

the best Alphaba, Edina Menzel, the amazing and celestial voice 🙏❤️

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