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Defying Gravity

Media Type
Song
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Media
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T&W
Trifix
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Stacking
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Entry Date
Jun 8, 2022 2:27 AM
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Public Domain
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Trifix+Overlay

Comments

Elphaba and Glinda, the two main characters of Wicked, are both 3s. Glinda (who earlier sings “Popular”, also a 3 song — I know how to make you popular at school). Elphaba, the Green Witch, who’s wish for the whole first act has been to meet the Wizard, because he can “de-greenify” her and help her hone her exceptional magic powers. then when she meets the Wizard, she realizes that he is a fraud, and that the whole idea of success and salvation she has harbored her whole life is an illusion, a sham, an empty and evil fallacy. And so she decides to follow her heart and go off on her own. The revolution of the 3. “I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game” — it’s time to try defying gravity. “Well if that’s love, it comes at much too high a cost”; An interesting exchange happens, too, between Glinda and Elphaba — Elphaba almost convinces Glinda to come with her, to leave behind the fakeness of Oz and together they would be unstoppable… and Glinda can’t do it… still entranced, also having been “successful” in Oz… it’s harder for her to leave behind this life that she has built, even though she gets that it’s not exactly “real.” In the end, the two of them saying to each other, “I hope you’re happy” — each not understanding how the other can make the choice she is making. And the crowd yelling “we’ve got to bring her down” — a portent of the social forces that Elphaba will have to withstand in order to stay true to herself.

Lyrics

[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

[Glinda and Elphaba:]

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

[Glinda and 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!

Well, are you coming?

[Glinda decides to stay behind]

[Glinda:]

I hope you're happy now that

you're choosing this

[Elphaba:]

You too

I hope it brings you bliss

[Glinda and 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 got to bring her down!