Defying Gravity (song)

"Defying Gravity" is the signature song from the musical Wicked, composed by Stephen Schwartz, originally recorded by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on May 10, 2003, and released on December 16, 2003. It is mostly a solo sung by the main character of the show, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West), with two small duets at the beginning and in the middle of the song between Elphaba and her friend Glinda, and a chorus part in the end in which the citizens of Oz sing. It was performed on the BBC television programme I'd Do Anything, and as a result the song charted at no. 60 on the official UK Singles chart.

Context and analysis

In Wicked, the song is the finale for the show's first act, when Elphaba discovers that The Wizard of Oz is not the heroic figure she had originally believed him to be. Realizing this, and despite Glinda's attempts to dissuade her, Elphaba vows to do everything in her power to fight the Wizard and his sinister plans against the Animals of Oz. She sings of how she wants to live without limits, going against the rules that others have set for her. During the song, Elphaba enchants a broomstick to levitate and, pursued by the Wizard's guards, rises from the stage above the angered citizens of Oz, who try in vain to "bring her down."

Defying Gravity

Defying Gravity may refer to:

In film and television:

In music

Defying Gravity (The Sherbs album)

Defying Gravity is an album by The Sherbs released in 1981.

Track listing

Australian version

US mini LP version

US CD version

Defying Gravity (Vinnie Moore album)

Defying Gravity is the sixth studio album by guitarist Vinnie Moore, released on July 10, 2001 through Shrapnel Records.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Vinnie Moore. 

Personnel

References

External links