Notice! This article contains spoilers for Evil.
Cynthia Erivo brought Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity” to the big screen in EvilBut what does this powerful song really mean? This musical number has always been a highlight of the Broadway show, which debuted in 2003. “Defying Gravity” is full of emotion and, accompanied by innovative stage effects, is a brilliant way to end Evilfirst act with a bang. Likewise, Erivo’s performance provided a powerful ending to the first Evil film, leaving audiences to ponder this significant step in Elphaba’s character arc leading up to the release of Wicked: Part 2.
The music of Evil was written by legend Stephen Schwartz, who went to great lengths to incorporate both The Wizard of Oz and Gregory McQuire Evil romance in the Broadway show. Every song in Evil soundtrack brings characters like Elphaba and Galinda forward in its history, with notable numbers like “The Wizard and I,” “What is This Feeling,” and “Popular” serving as highlights in the 2024 film. While Wicked: Part 2 (2025) will continue with more impactful music, nothing can compete with the gravity-defying ending of the first film.
Elphaba’s song “Defying Gravity” ends the first Wicked film
It’s the perfect ending to the first part of Wicked
“Defying Gravity” is the last song the audience hears before the intermission and second act of the Evil stage musical, which made it the perfect way for the 2024 film to set things aside. Erivo’s on-screen performance allowed for a unique interpretation of the song, as Elphaba’s first grand flight took her high above the Emerald City as she declared herself an enemy of the Wizard of Oz and all those who follow him. The passion of this is evident through Erivo’s powerful voice and emotive facial expressions, but It’s the lyrics to “Defying Gravity” that make the first Evil the ending of the film is so powerful.
Explanation of the lyrics of the song ‘Defying Gravity’
Every Gravity-Defying Verse and Its Meaning
“Defying Gravity” begins in Evil after Elphaba and Glinda hear Madame Morrible announce to everyone in Oz that Elphaba is a Wicked Witch who must be captured at all costs. Morrible and the Wizard were figures that Elphaba admired and who she believed could help her protect animal rights. Earning their respect and working alongside them was deeply important to her. However, seeing Morrible and the Wizard turning against her so quickly initiated a change in Erivo’s Elphabaand she began to realize that she could depend on no one but herself if she wanted to end corruption in Oz:
Something changed inside me
Something is not the same
I’m tired of playing
The rules of someone else’s game
Too late to question
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and jump
It’s time to try to defy gravity
I think I’ll try to defy gravity
And you can’t pull me down
Up to this point in EvilElphaba pretended not to care what anyone thought of her, but she was lying to herself. More than anything, she wanted love and believed that working alongside the Wizard would finally give her that. She would fight against the status quo, but still look to people like Madame Morrible for leadership. However, the following lines from Elphaba in “Defying Gravity” describe how she would no longer put her desire to be loved above her conviction to do what is right:
I’m tired of accepting limits
Because someone says it’s so
Some things I can’t change
But until I try, I’ll never know
For a long time, I was afraid of
Losing love, I think I lost it
Well if this is love
It has a very high cost
I would rather buy in defiance of gravity
Kiss me goodbye, I’m defying gravity
And you can’t pull me down
The next verse of “Defying Gravity” is the song’s climactic moment, as Elphaba shoots into the air and delivers the line that would deem her the Witch of the “West.” She uses the Wizard’s own words, which “everyone deserves the chance to fly,” against him, stating that while she is doing this alone and not alongside the Wizard, she would prefer it if it meant freedom:
It is me
So if you care to find me
Look at the western sky
As someone told me recently
“Everyone deserves the chance to fly”
And if I’m flying alone
At least I’m flying free
For those who grounded me
Get a message back from me
Tell them how I’m defying gravity
I’m flying high, defying gravity
And soon, I will equal them in renown
And no one in all of Oz
No wizard that exists or has existed
Will it ever bring me down
What the song “Defying Gravity” really means on Wicked
“Defying Gravity” is an anthem for the marginalized
In “Defying Gravity” Elphaba realizes that she must go it alone, without the support of those she loves and idolizes, to do what is right. Still, the true meaning of this song comes in many layers. As the standout moment in Evil“Defying Gravity” has long resonated with audiences for a wide variety of reasons. Some identify with Elphaba’s desire to do what is right, even if it means she will be labeled an enemy. Others see their declaration that they will fly free as a reflection of their own hard-won decision to be precisely who they were born to be, regardless of how society may criticize them.
Elphaba’s words send a message to members of the LQBTQ+ community, the disability community, immigrants, the oppressed, or anyone else who falls into the category of “other.”
The Wicked Witch of the West flying on her broomstick is a memorable image of The Wizard of Ozand Evil I found a way to add deep meaning to it retroactively. ‘Defying Gravity’ speaks to anyone who has ever felt like they are the enemy Stuck on the outside of accepted society. Elphaba’s words send a message to members of the LQBTQ+ community, the disability community, immigrants, the oppressed, or anyone else who falls into the category of “other.” The Magician was false when he said: “Everyone deserves a chance to fly“, but Elphaba considered his words Evil and delivered them organically to anyone who needed to hear them.