Defying Gravity – English Lyrics

• By: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande
• Album: Wicked - Music & Lyrics By Stephen Schwartz

Lyrics & Translation

"Defying Gravity," a powerful anthem performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, offers a thrilling journey into the English language through its rich, emotive lyrics and compelling narrative. As Elphaba finds her voice and defies societal limits, listeners can explore vocabulary related to rebellion, self-discovery, and freedom. The song's dramatic arc and poignant exchanges make it an exceptional piece for understanding English in a dynamic, theatrical context, encouraging deeper engagement with its profound message.

[English]

(Elphaba, why couldn't you have stayed calm for once, instead of flying off the handle?)

I hope you're happy

I hope you're happy now

I hope you're happy how you've hurt your cause forever

I hope you think you're clever

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

So though I can't imagine how

I hope you're happy right now

...

(Elphie, listen to me, just say you're sorry)

You can still be with the wizard

What you've worked and waited for

You can have all you ever wanted

I know

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

(Can't I make you understand you're having delusions of grandeur?)

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 by defying gravity

Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity

And you can't pull me down

(Come with me, think of what we could do together)

Unlimited

Together, we're unlimited

Together, we'll be the greatest team there's ever been, Glinda

Dreams the way we planned 'em

(If we work in tandem)

There's no fight we cannot win

Just you and I, defying gravity

With you and I, defying gravity

They'll never bring us down

...

(Are you coming?)

I hope you're happy

Now that you're choosing this (you too)

I hope it brings you bliss

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

(No, leave her alone, she hasn't done anything wrong)

(I'm the one you want, I'm the one you want, it's me!)

(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 am defying gravity

I'm flying high, defying gravity

And soon I'll match them in renown

...

Unlimited

...

Unlimited

...

Unlimited, oh

Nobody in all of Oz

No wizard that there is or was

Is ever gonna bring me down

I hope you're happy (look at her, she's wicked, kill her!)

Bring me down (no one mourns the wicked, so we've got to bring her)

...

Ah! (Down!)

...

(Down! Ah!)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
stay /steɪ/ A2	verb - to remain in the same place or condition
calm /kɑːm/ A2	adjective - not angry or excited noun - a state of peace or tranquility
flying /ˈflaɪɪŋ/ B2	verb - to move through the air using wings or an aircraft
gravity /ˈɡrævɪti/ B2	noun - the force that attracts objects toward the center of the earth
limit /ˈlɪmɪt/ B1	noun - a point or level beyond which something cannot go verb - to set a boundary or maximum on something
change /tʃeɪndʒ/ A2	noun - the process of becoming different verb - to make or become different
trust /trʌst/ B2	verb - to believe that someone is honest or will do what is right
dreams /driːmz/ B2	noun - series of thoughts, images, or emotions occurring during sleep or aspiration for something desirable
team /tiːm/ A2	noun - a group of people working together
win /wɪn/ A2	verb - to be successful in a contest or competition
down /daʊn/ A1	adverb - in a lower position