"Defying Gravity": Everything to Know About Wicked's Most Iconic Song

There are a total of 19 musical cues on Wicked's Broadway soundtrack, but only one song has become wholly emblematic of the entire stage production: "Defying Gravity." And you can bet it will be similarly electric when Universal Pictures' adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande hits the big screen later this month!  

Sung by Elphaba (Erivo) and Glinda (Grande) near the end of the show's first act, the poignantly triumphant anthem (written by composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz) marks a major turning point in the friendship between the two friends, who have just learned that the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum in the film) is not the wonderful figure he appears to be.

RELATED: How Does Wicked Connect to The Wizard of Oz? The Magical World Explained

Not wanting to use her magical prowess for nefarious purposes against Oz's oppressed animal population, Elphaba embraces her individuality and literally defies gravity on a flying broomstick, which might as well be a double-edged sword. She gains her freedom, yes, but at the cost of becoming Public Enemy Number One: the Wicked Witch of the West.

Listen to "Defying Gravity" from Wicked's original Broadway production, as performed by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth

“I was really aware of the moment of doing this iconic song that people know and love,” Erivo says in the official production notes. “I’m so grateful that I get to put my spin on it and dive into it. There’s everything I could have wished for in this particular song. There’s no ceiling — anything is possible, and nothing is impossible. It's a song that reminds us that those dreams of yours that you fear are too far could happen if you just believe in yourself.”

RELATED: The Cast and Characters of Wicked Explained

“Cynthia is an extraordinary actress with some of the best instincts I’ve ever encountered in terms of what’s happening within the character, moment-to-moment, and how that’s expressed,” adds Schwartz, who serves as an executive producer on the two-part adaptation. "She has amazing control over her voice. It’s like a great instrumentalist knowing how to get the most out of a great instrument. That’s what I’ve seen as she’s sung these songs, recorded and performed them. She brings a ferocity to Elphaba and a depth to the character that is beautifully expressed in everything she does, especially in ‘Defying Gravity.’"

Wicked's "Defying Gravity" lyrics

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in 'Wicked', directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures

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

[GLINDA]
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, spoken]
I hope you're happy

[ELPHABA]
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!

[GLINDA]
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

[ELPHABA]
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

[ELPHABA, spoken]
Glinda, come with me
Think of what we could do, together!

[ELPHABA]
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]
They'll never bring us down!

[ELPHABA, spoken]
Well, are you coming?

[GLINDA]
I hope you're happy
Now that you're choosing this

[ELPHABA, spoken]
You, too

[ELPHABA]
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'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]
Oh!

[CITIZENS OF OZ]
...down!

(lyrics via Genius)