Defying Gravity Explained: The Elphaba Song's Full Lyrics & What It Really Means In Wicked

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Wicked.



Cynthia Erivo has brought Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity” to the big screen in Wicked, but what does this powerful song really mean? This musical number has always been the standout feature of the Broadway show, which debuted back in 2003. “Defying Gravity” is full of emotion and, accompanied by groundbreaking stage effects, is a genius way to end Wicked‘s first act with a bang. Similarly, Erivo’s performance made for a powerful ending for the first Wicked movie, leaving audiences to ponder this significant step in Elphaba’s character arc until the release of Wicked: Part 2.


The music of Wicked was written by legend Stephen Schwartz, who went to great lengths to incorporate both The Wizard of Oz and Gregory McQuire’s Wicked novel into the Broadway show. Each song in the Wicked soundtrack ushers characters like Elphaba and Galinda forward in their story, with notable numbers like “The Wizard and I,” “What is This Feeling,” and “Popular” serving as standouts in the 2024 movie. While Wicked: Part 2 (2025) will keep this going with more impactful songs, nothing can quite compete with the gravity-defying finale of the first movie.


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

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

Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook


“Defying Gravity” is the final song that audiences hear before the intermission and second act of the Wicked stage musical, which made it the perfect way for the 2024 movie to leave things off. Erivo’s performance on the screen allowed for a unique interpretation of the song, as Elphaba’s first great flight took her high above the Emerald City as she declared herself an enemy to the Wizard of Oz and all those who follow him. The passion of this is evident through Erivo’s powerful voice and emotive facial expressions, but it’s the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” that make the first Wicked movie’s ending so powerful.

“Defying Gravity” Song Lyrics Explained

Every Verse In Defying Gravity & Its Meaning

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba looking down with a blue night sky background in Wicked
Custom Image By Yailin Chacon


“Defying Gravity” begins in Wicked after Elphaba and Glinda hear Madame Morrible announce to all of Oz that Elphaba is a Wicked Witch who must be caught at all costs. Morrible and the Wizard were both figures that Elphaba had looked up to and whom she believed could help her protect the rights of Animals. Earning their respect and working by their sides had been deeply important to her. However, seeing Morrible and the Wizard turn against her so quickly initiated a change in Erivo’s Elphaba, and she began to realize that she could depend on no one but herself if she wanted to end the corruption in Oz:

The following lyrics omit Elphaba and Glinda’s duet in “Defying Gravity.”


Something has changed within mะต

Something is not the same

Iโ€™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 Iโ€™ll try defying gravity

And you can’t pull me down

Until this point in Wicked, Elphaba pretended not to care what anyone thought of her, but she was lying to herself. More than anything, she wanted love, and she believed that working by the Wizard’s side would finally earn her this. She would fight against the status quo but still looked to people like Madam Morrible for leadership. However, Elphaba’s following lines in “Defying Gravity” describe how she would no longer put her desire to be loved above her conviction to do what is right:


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

The next verse of “Defying Gravity” is the climactic moment in the song, when Elphaba shoots into the air and offers the line that would deem her the Witch of the “West.” She uses the Wizard’s own words, that “everyone deserves the chance to fly,” against him, stating that while she is doing this alone rather than by the Wizard’s side, she would prefer this if it means freedom:


It’s me

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’d ground me

Take a message back from me

Tell them how I’m 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

What The “Defying Gravity” Song Really Means In Wicked

“Defying Gravity” Is An Anthem For The Marginalized

Elphaba during Defying Gravity in Wicked

“Defying Gravity” sees Elphaba realize that she must proceed alone without the support of those she loves and idolizes to do what is right. Still, the true meaning of this song comes in many layers. As the standout moment in Wicked, “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 hard-earned decision to be precisely who they were born to be, regardless of how society may criticize them.


Elphaba’s words send a message to members of the LQBTQ+ community, the disabled community, immigrants, underdogs, or anyone else who fits within the category of “other.”

The Wicked Witch of the West flying on her broom is a memorable image from The Wizard of Oz, and Wicked found a way to add profound meaning to this retroactively. “Defying Gravity” speaks to anyone who has ever been made to feel like they are the enemy trapped on the outside of accepted society. Elphaba’s words send a message to members of the LQBTQ+ community, the disabled community, immigrants, underdogs, or anyone else who fits within the category of “other.” The Wizard was disingenuous when he said, “Everyone deserves a chance to fly,” but Elphaba took his words in Wicked and organically delivered them to anyone and everyone who needed to hear them.