Why is Defying Gravity the most iconic song on Wicked? While the musical contains over ten others, what makes Defying Gravity stand out among the rest? Here's why that is.
Exploring the Context Behind Wicked's Defying Gravity
Ask any fan of the Wicked Broadway Musical and they'll tell you one thing: Defying Gravity is the most iconic yet hardest song to sing. Why is that, though?
To be sung by Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the triumphant anthem serves as one of the most crucial epiphanies in Wicked, specifically a major turning point in the friendship between the Good and the Green Witch.
Instead of finding Elphaba using her magic for wicked (no pun intended) reasons, she uses that exact moment to accept herself for who she is even in the land of Oz. She literally 'defies gravity' by flying on her broomstick.
In the words of Elphaba, as she proudly presents her own 'spin' into her version of the song, "There's no ceiling — anything is possible, and nothing is impossible. It's a song that reminds us that those dreams of yours that you fear are too far could happen if you just believe in yourself."
Why is Defying Gravity Considered by Fans the Most Iconic Wicked Song?
Wicked fans have their own take on what makes Defying Gravity the most unforgettable song in the musical.
Apart from ending the intermission with the song to leave fans hanging, the emotional impact of the lyrics resonates with the people, even beyond the context of having to find Elphaba and Glinda's respective roles in Oz, according to one fan.
Not to mention, it was originally sung by the Idina Menzel, who is best known for voicing Queen Elsa in the Frozen franchise and for winning the Tony Award for her Best Performance in Broadway's Wicked.
It also helps that due to the limitations that a staged musical can bring to fans, performers being suspended in the air to belt out Defying Gravity is what makes it even more impressive to watch unfold before their very eyes.
READ NEXT: Is Ariana Grande Quitting Music for Theater? How Wicked Shifted Her Career
Meanwhile, fans can expect Wicked part 1 to premiere on the big screens on November 22, while part 2 follows suit on November 21, 2025.
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