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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!