GLINDA
(spoken) Elphaba - why couldn't you have stayed calm for
once, instead of flying off the handle!
(sung) I hope you're happy!
I hope you're happy now
I hope you're happy how you
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

BOTH
So though I can't imagine how
I hope you're happy right now

GLINDA
(spoken) Elphie, listen to me. Just say you're sorry:
(sung) You can still be with the Wizard
What you've worked and waited for
You can have all you ever wanted:

ELPHABA
(spoken) I know:
(sung) 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
'Cuz someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till 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:
(spoken) Glinda - come with me. Think of what we could
do: together.

(sung) 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:

BOTH
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!
(spoken) Well? Are you coming?

GLINDA
I hope you're happy
Now that you're choosing this

ELPHABA
(spoken) You too
(sung) I hope it brings you bliss

BOTH
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:

ELPHABASo if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd 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've got to bring her

ELPHABA
Ahhh!

CITIZENS OF OZ
Down!



Lyrics submitted by killstar

Track duration: 05:54


Defying Gravity song meanings
Add your thoughts

15 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:Every time I hear "Glinda, Come with me. Think of what we could do; together." It makes me think of how my sister used to blare this in her car and we would belt it out like we were them. lol Then she moved away, so it really makes me think of her now.
    I believe this song is all about doing what you believe is right even though it's not always easy. I love it. :)
    Flag ariccachristineon April 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:when they both sing "I hope you're happy in the end" it kills me..it's like their voices where meant to go together
    Flag filabacaon November 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:Well, to me, my favorite parts of the song are the parts everyone always looks over. Whenever this song is mentioned, only Elphaba's part of "Defying Gravity" is mentioned, while the parts which I believe to be the most powerful are never mentioned. My two favorite parts in this song are:

    "Unlimited, together we're unlimited". When this is sung, it just solidifies in your mind the friendship these two have. This part justifies the rest of the song because it highlights how hard of a decision it is for Elphaba to throw away any chance of a continuing relationship with Glinda.

    "I hope you're happy now that you're choosing this. I hope it brings you bliss. 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." These lines are the summation of the message of the entire musical, in my opinion. First, let me comment on the clever juxtaposition between the first "I hope you're happy now" and this one. The first was an angry sarcasm, but this instance is sincere for both of them. These lines highlight how the two are splitting and making not 100% perfect decisions: Elphaba running away and resisting instead of calmly changing things and Glinda passively staying without standing up for what is truly good. Each person realizes that there is something wrong with either's decision, so each hopes that they know what they're getting into and "don't live to regret it". So beautiful. It makes their parting that much sadder.

    Again, I could take or leave the main part of the song. It isn't as powerful to me as those other lines.
    Flag OrangeXenon54on January 28, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i like never get sick of it and it's just one of those songs that whenever i hear it i just HAVE to sing along (although i'm not nearly as good as idina, of course)
    Flag PrEsLeYsBiGsIsTaon November 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is genius :)
    Flag PrEsLeYsBiGsIsTaon November 12, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"So if you care to find me
    Look to the western sky!"

    ... love
    Flag yayFACEon September 08, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:BEAUTIFUL song
    i agree with everyobne that has commented!
    lovely songgg i love the lyrics, i can definetlyyyyy relate!
    Flag Rmackyyyyyyon June 08, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:anyone else think the musical is very realistic considering its about two witches in a magical kingdom?
    the characters are real, and the situation could be, though on a smaller scale
    Flag BadWolfBabeon May 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think Idina and Kristen's voices were made to go together! The "so if you care to find me look to the western sky!!!" part is sooooo sick! Musicals are so cool and inspirational-like and this music is just beyond gorgeous! Props!
    Flag j9don July 27, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:me too^^^

    i love this song so much and idina menzel has an amazing voice.. the end
    Flag am507on March 11, 2008   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain