Defying Gravity

"Defying Gravity" is the signature song of the popular Broadway musical Wicked. It is mostly a solo for the lead character, Elphaba, with several lines from Glinda, and a chorus part at the end of the song. The song was composed by Stephen Schwartz, and first performed publicly by Liz Callaway in 2001 in front of a small audience, The role of Elphaba was originated by Idina Menzel (along with Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda) in 2003 on the theatre stage.

Lyrics
[GLINDA, spoken]

''Elphaba, why couldn't you have stayed calm for once?Instead of flying off the handle! I hope you're happy''

[sung]

'' 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, spoken]

I hope you're happy

[sung]

''I hope you're happy, too I hope you're proud how you Would grovel in submission, to feed your own ambition''

[GLINDA & ELPHABA]

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

[GLINDA, spoken]

Elphie, listen to me, just say you're sorry!

[sung]

You can still be with the wizard

''What you've worked and waited for You can have all you ever wanted''

[ELPHABA, spoken]

I know

[sung]

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

[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

[GLINDA & ELPHABA]

There's no fight we cannot win

Just you and I, defying gravity

With you and I defying gravity

[ELPHABA, spoken]

They'll never bring us down!

Well, are you coming?

[GLINDA, sung]

I hope you're happy

Now that you're choosing this

[ELPHABA, spoken]

You, too

[sung]

I hope it brings you bliss

[GLINDA & ELPHABA]

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]

Oh!

[CITIZENS OF OZ]

...down!