Music and Lyrics: Defying Gravity – Wicked

This version of Defying Gravity is slightly shorter than the one performed in the musical. This was performed at the Tony Awards in 2004 where Idina Menzel bagged the Best Actress Award for the role of Elphaba.

I believe this is one of most empowering songs I have ever heard in my life. It wells me up and gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.

Lyrics posted below. Go ahead and sing along. Don’t worry if you’re out of tune! Take the message and let the words reverberate in your heart throughout your room!

ELPHABA

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 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
And you can’t pull me down:
(spoken) Glinda – come with me. Think of what we could
do: together.

(sung) 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!
(spoken) Well? Are you coming?

GLINDA

I hope you’re happy
Now that you’re choosing this

ELPHABA

(spoken) You too
(sung) 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:
“Ev’ryone 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 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

Ahhh!

CITIZENS OF OZ

Down!