Wicked

admonition ! This clause turn back spoilers forWicked .

Cynthia Erivo has brought Elphaba ’s " Defying Gravity " to the big screen inWicked , but what does this knock-down call really mean ? This musical turn has always been the standout feature of the Broadway show , which debut back in 2003.“Defying Gravity " is full of emotion and , accompanied by groundbreaking point effects , is a genius way to endWicked ’s first act with a strike . likewise , Erivo ’s performance made for a sinewy termination for the firstWickedmovie , leaving audiences to ponder this significant step in Elphaba ’s type arc until the release ofWicked : Part 2 .

The music ofWickedwas written by legend Stephen Schwartz , who went to great length to incorporate bothThe Wizard of Ozand Gregory McQuire’sWickednovel into the Broadway show . Eachsong in theWickedsoundtrackushers part like Elphaba and Galinda forwardin their tale , with famed number like " The Wizard and I , " " What is This Feeling , " and " Popular " serving as standouts in the 2024 movie . WhileWicked : Part 2(2025)will keep this croak with more impactful songs , nothing can quite vie with the gravitation - withstand finale of the first motion-picture show .

Wicked - Poster

Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity” Song Ends The First Wicked Movie

It’s The Perfect Finale For Wicked’s First Part

" Defying gravitational force " is the terminal song that consultation hear before the pause and second act of theWickedstage melodic , which made it the unadulterated way for the 2024 picture show to leave things off . Erivo ’s performance on the screen allowed for a alone interpretation of the song , as Elphaba ’s first great flight took her high above the Emerald City as she declare herself an foeman to the Wizard of Oz and all those who follow him . The passion of this is unmistakable through Erivo ’s knock-down voice and emotive facial expressions , butit ’s the language of " Defying Gravity " that make the firstWickedmovie ’s ending so powerful .

“Defying Gravity” Song Lyrics Explained

Every Verse In Defying Gravity & Its Meaning

" Defying Gravity " begins inWickedafter Elphaba and Glinda hear Madame Morrible announce to all of Oz thatElphaba is a Wicked Witchwho must be caught at all toll . Morrible and the Wizard were both figures that Elphaba had depend up to and whom she believe could help her protect the right of Animals . Earning their obedience and work by their sides had been deeply of import to her . However , image Morrible and the Wizard round against her so quickly pioneer a change in Erivo ’s Elphaba , and she began to agnize that she could calculate on no one but herself if she need to stop the corruptness in Oz :

The follow words omit Elphaba and Glinda ’s duet in " Defying Gravity . "

Something has change within mе

Elphaba in the 2024 film Wicked

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

Something is not the same

I ’m through with playing by

The rule of someone else ’s game

The character posters for Elphaba and The Wizard of Oz from Wicked (2024)

Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook

Too later for second - guessing

Too late to go back to catch some Z’s

It ’s metre to trust my instincts

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba looking down with a blue night sky background in Wicked

Custom Image By Yailin Chacon

Close my eye and jump

It ’s time to taste dare graveness

I think I ’ll try defying sombreness

Elphaba during Defying Gravity in Wicked in front of a broken window.

And you ca n’t pull me down

Until this point inWicked , Elphaba pretended not to care what anyone thought of her , but she was lie to herself . More than anything , she need making love , and she conceive that working by the Wizard ’s side would finally earn her this . She would fight back against the status quo but still looked to people like Madam Morrible for leadership . However , Elphaba ’s following furrow in " Defying Gravity " describe howshe would no longer put her desire to be loved above her condemnation to do what is right :

I ’m through accept terminal point

Headshot Of Cynthia Erivo

‘Cause someone read they ’re so

Some things I can not exchange

But ' til I try , I ’ll never know

Headshot Of Ariana Grande In The 2024 Met Gala

Too long , I ’ve been afraid of

Losing honey , I think I ’ve recede

Well , if that ’s sexual love

Movies

It comes at much too high a cost

I ’d rather grease one’s palms defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye , I ’m defy gravity

Wicked

The next verse of " Defying Gravity " is the climactic present moment in the strain , when Elphaba photograph into the air and offer up the line of products that would deem her the Witch of the " West . " She uses the Wizard ’s own word , that " everyone merit the chance to fly , " against him , state that while she is doing this alone rather than by the Wizard ’s side , she would prefer this if it mean freedom :

It ’s me

So if you like to find me

Look to the westerly sky

As someone tell me late

" Everyone merit the luck to fly "

And if I ’m flying solo

At least , I ’m flee free

To those who ’d comminute me

Take a message back from me

separate them how I ’m defying gravitational force

I ’m fly high , defying gravity

And soon , I ’ll jibe them in renown

And nobody in all of Oz

No wizard that there is or was

Is ever gon na bring me down

What The “Defying Gravity” Song Really Means In Wicked

“Defying Gravity” Is An Anthem For The Marginalized

" Defying Gravity " sees Elphaba realize that she must proceed alone without the keep of those she loves and idolizes to do what is right . Still , the true meaning of this song come in many layer . As the standout moment inWicked , " Defying Gravity " has long resonated with audiences for a wide variety of reasons . Some identify with Elphaba ’s desire to do what is right , even if it means she will be labeled the enemy . Others see her declaration that she will fly free as a reflection of their own firmly - earned decision to be precisely who they were acquit to be , disregardless of how society may pick apart them .

Elphaba ’s words mail a message to members of the LQBTQ+ community , the disabled residential district , immigrants , underdogs , or anyone else who fits within the category of " other . "

The Wicked Witch of the West fly on her broom is amemorable double fromThe Wizard of Oz , andWickedfound a way to impart profound meaning to this retroactively . “Defying Gravity " mouth to anyone who has ever been made to palpate like they are the enemytrapped on the outside of accepted bon ton . Elphaba ’s Word send a substance to members of the LQBTQ+ community of interests , the handicapped residential area , immigrants , underdogs , or anyone else who fits within the category of " other . “The Wizard was disingenuous when he sound out , " Everyone deserves a chance to vanish , " but Elphaba took his dustup inWickedand organically deliver them to anyone and everyone who needed to hear them .

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Cast

Wicked adapts the Broadway melodious into a two - part film , following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba , born with unripe skin , and Glinda , a popular patrician , in the Land of Oz . As they navigate their contrasting paths , they develop into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West .