To those who don’t know what "Defying Gravity" is, it’s the anthem of the Broadway musical "Wicked." "Wicked" tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (whose name later changes to Glinda the Good Witch), who struggle through opposing personalities and points of view, rivalry over the same love-interest (Fiyero), reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace. Truly the show is magical (ha, get it?).
Elphaba arrives at Shiz University to look after her sister NessaRose and nothing more. She is clearly the outcast of the two, because Elphaba was born green and Nessa was born normal. While at Shiz University, Elphaba receives a roommate and it’s none other than Galinda Upland, which many have referred to as an imperfectly perfect pairing — Galinda being a very popular starlet-type and Elphaba being the type of person who keeps to themselves and is very soft spoken.
Elphaba keeps to herself for most of "Wicked," because she’s afraid to truly be herself because she knows that who she truly is, is one wicked witch. She doesn’t truly know how to control her powers or exactly how to use them. What I took away from it was that it’s all about her journey in finding herself and coming to terms with who she is.
The song is fantastic so when I was asked to pick a favorite part it wasn’t easy. I tried to think of a part that spoke to me the most and the high flying part I could truly think of was the final few verses. When I say that, I’m not just talking about the last note, which is crazy in itself, it literally goes D♭- F - E♭- D♭- E♭ - D♭ (depending on the Elphaba of the time, but that’s how it’s listed in the sheet music). I’m talking about the entire dialogue leading up to that powerful high-flying moment when she flies high above everything and basically, let's go:
Elphaba: It’s not her, she has nothing to do with it.
Glinda: Elphie?
Elphaba: I’m the one you want. It’s me!
Glinda: Elphie!
Elphaba: It’s me! Witch cackle Up here! It’s meeeeeeeeeeeee!
There came a time in my life where I felt like I related to Elphaba and sometimes, I still do. But it wasn’t in the whole green skin aspect or the magic powers (although, how cool would that be?). I felt like we had a lot in common when it came to wanting to be accepted and loved by those around her. During "Defying Gravity," she finally comes to terms with who she is. She’s a strong, independent witch, who doesn’t need a man, but spoiler alert: she gets Fiyero in the end.
I think it’s just such an empowering song truly. With an underlying message that you shouldn’t care what people think about you because everyone is special in their own way. So what if you have green skin and have magical powers given to you by your mother's one night stand with the town weirdo? You're special and you're great. In a sense, she doesn’t have to worry what others think of her because she’s her own person and finally becomes okay with who she is. She finally comes to terms with how it’s amazing that it is that she was given powers:
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.And to anyone who tries to ground you, they just need to alaka-nahmen-nahmen-atum-atum-alaka get out.
