Believe me, I know all that you have to say about Defying Gravity – a song that ran its course, a song that sticks in your head like a gnat of a memory. But hear me out. I might be 16 years too late to the discourse, but I say Defying Gravity is a feminist anthem. It’s a powerful song that evokes equally powerful emotions. It’s about reclaiming your self-worth and flying free of your little, people-defined mould. With an amazing back-and-forth between Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, Defying Gravity is the exact thundering conclusion that Act 1 of Wicked needed.
Wicked the Musical opened on Broadway in 2003. Although originally lambasted by critics, it continued to enjoy the spotlight for over a decade encouraged by an army of fans. The song that I chose to write about, Defying Gravity, falls exactly in the middle of the musical at the very end of Act 1. Menzel, who won a Tony for her performance as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Chenoweth, who played Glinda the Good Witch, ensure that the audience sticks around for Act 2 with their glittering performances. Now, I don’t have the money for Broadway, which is why I resort to cast albums on YouTube, but perhaps, my dear readers, you could give it a shot.
Defying Gravity is about finally shrugging off the weight of all that society has told Elphaba – that she’s not good enough, that her green skin makes her a sub-par human. Her family told her that she’s worthless, her neighbours ran in terror and her beloved idol, the Wizard, turned out to be a mere fraud. Her hopes shattered by those she believed in, Elphaba finally realises that she doesn’t need to be submissive just to be accepted. In some ways, I believe it’s the exact opposite of everything Popular was. A sweet sappy serenade, it was a veritable crash course in popularity by Glinda. But here? Elphaba decides that she doesn’t care if she isn’t a fan favourite. So what if she was labelled wicked, at least she’s being true to herself. Her worth is hers to decide, verdigris and all.
Just one thing though, before her grand exit, she goes back to Glinda in a last attempt to make her understand, to help her see the light. After a staccato exchange of passive-aggressive I-hope-you’re-happy-nows, there seems to be a reckoning. Glinda and Elphaba sing together in harmony of defying gravity. But it is not to be. Glinda realises that she, in spite of everything, is still on the ‘good’ side. She was with the Wizard. They share a moment singing the same line again – “I hope you’re happy” – this time, not with intent to wound, but laced with understanding. Their differences were irreconcilable and that is how it will remain. Unlikely friends now turned reluctant foes.
Menzel’s amazing vocals now take centre-stage. Oh my God, she’s defying gravity – metaphorically and literally. Her leap into the sky on her enchanted broom is accompanied by appropriate soaring notes about how if she has to fly solo, at least she’s free. Freedom is what it is all about, isn’t it? Freedom from societal pressure to have a peachy complexion, freedom from the Wizard’s duplicitous and oppressive rule. Freedom for the animals and freedom for herself. Elphaba finally realises that what she wants is freedom, even if it comes at the cost of a new, “wicked”, brand.
Elphaba changes from a wannabe wallflower to a powerful witch. She loses her family, her friends and her idol. She knows that she could go back but she doesn’t want to. The world that restricted her is too small for her and the new Wicked Witch isn’t going to stick to its ideals. She’s going to take a leap of faith. And nobody’s pulling her down.
I love this song because it’s so powerful. Hearing Menzel’s voice pumping through my eardrums whether I’m singing along (very horribly) in the shower or taking a walk, is pure energy. I feel like I can punch walls or run a mile in stilettos – superhero stuff. Not to mention how happy it makes me to think of little girls growing up with Elphaba’s chant of self-worth. Green or not green, popular or not, the only thing that matters is that you’re true to yourself.
Article by Kiran A
Artwork by Namrata Nirmal
Article 19 