Defying Gravity Lyrics – Cynthia Erivo

Defying Gravity Lyrics Meaning

In the opening lines, Elphaba is confronting someone—likely Glinda—who has hurt her cause. There’s a sense of betrayal as she expresses frustration that the other person couldn’t stay calm or think things through, but instead acted impulsively. She sarcastically hopes they’re happy with the consequences of their actions, hinting that they’ve ruined everything for her. Elphaba’s anger is palpable as she calls out how the other person has abandoned their values in favor of ambition, showing her deep disappointment and sense of loss.

As the song progresses, Elphaba is faced with a choice—whether to stay aligned with the Wizard and continue playing by the rules, or to strike out on her own. She’s being offered the life she always wanted, but she rejects it. It’s no longer enough for her to follow others’ expectations. Something within her has shifted, and she refuses to accept a life of submission and compromise. Elphaba is done playing the game the way others want her to, and the idea of following someone else’s plan doesn’t sit well with her anymore.

This internal change becomes more evident as Elphaba declares that it’s too late for second-guessing and that she’s finally ready to trust herself. She’s been afraid of standing up for herself and defying what others expect of her, but now she’s choosing to take a leap of faith. She wants to break free from limitations and societal rules, and the idea of “defying gravity” symbolizes her desire to rise above the norms and expectations that have confined her.

Elphaba then goes on to explain her decision to stop accepting limits. For too long, she’s been told what she can and can’t do, and now she’s letting go of the fear of failure. She acknowledges that she’s lost love—perhaps the love of her friends or the people she once cared about—but she’s at peace with that. If love costs her freedom, she’s ready to move on, because freedom is worth the price. In this moment, she chooses to embrace her power and pursue her own destiny, even if it means doing so alone.

As the song shifts, Elphaba envisions the possibility of working together with Glinda. She imagines what they could achieve if they combined their strengths and defied the gravity of their circumstances. There’s a sense of unity and hope here, as she sees their partnership as the key to overcoming any challenge. Together, they could rise above everything that tries to hold them down, and nothing could stop them from achieving greatness.

In a final act of defiance, Elphaba declares that if anyone wants to find her, they should look to the western sky, where she will be flying free. She refuses to let anyone control her or tell her how to live. She’s willing to be alone if it means she can be true to herself. The idea of defying gravity is not just about physical flight, but about the freedom to live life on her terms, without anyone’s approval or limitations.

As the song ends, there’s a confrontation, with Elphaba being labeled “wicked” by those who fear her, but she doesn’t care. She’s made her choice, and she will not be brought down. No matter how much others try to pull her down, she is now unstoppable—flying high and embracing her newfound sense of freedom.