The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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!
(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
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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Great version of a great song,
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this song is about a girl's desperate hopes to break the mediocrity of her home's political aspects for her. it is also her longing to become a good-doer.
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
i love wicked it is by far my favorite musical and this is one of the most inspirational,beautiful i've probably ever heard. idena menzel sings it beautifully
I completely agree with theeeeeloserrr.
I love this song ... I love Wicked in general. I'm not much of a broadway gal, but this is my exception. Defying Gravity really hits home. So many people have "high aspirations" for me, but ultimately, I'm going to have to do what makes me happy. It's a feel good song. Shoot for the sky, live life to the fullest, yadah, yadah, yadah ....
Gosh, I love this song. The end where Idina just belts it gives me chills..
me too^^^
i love this song so much and idina menzel has an amazing voice.. the end
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!
BEAUTIFUL song i agree with everyobne that has commented! lovely songgg i love the lyrics, i can definetlyyyyy relate!
"So if you care to find me Look to the western sky!"
... love