Context

This line is from the song "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked (2003), written by Stephen Schwartz.

What should you do when the people you think are good actually turn out to be… not so good, after all? How about giving defying gravity a try? That's what Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, decides to do at the end of Act I of Wicked.

Elphie's just learned that her mentor, The Wizard of Oz, is actually a pretty rotten guy. With this song, she gives up the Wizard's promises of fame and fortune and vows to fight the Wizard with all her might. Glinda, tempted by the sparkle and glitz of life in the Emerald City, tries to convince Elphie to change her mind, but no luck. Elphie enchants a broom and soars off, leaving Glinda in the dust. Glinda is just too worried about her own career to follow her friend and do what's right. Hey, sometimes a witch has gotta do what a witch has gotta do.

Why is this song so famous? Well, it's thrilling, heart-wrenching, and triumphant, and Elphie actually flies right off the stage. Bring your Kleenex if you get a chance to see this super-dramatic, classic Broadway moment in the theater.

And hey, if this song sounds familiar, it's because Idina Menzel, the original Elphie, went on to voice Elsa in the Disney blockbuster Frozen. The movie's creators were definitely inspired by Idina's Tony-winning turn as the Wicked Witch when they wrote a certain thrilling, heart-wrenching, triumphant song for their icy princess.

Where you've heard it

Defying gravity is all about pushing limits. Sure, people might say you can't fly off on an enchanted broom, but those people are just trying to keep you down. You do you.

Rachel and Kurt performed their own cover of this song on Glee.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Sometimes confidence can come off as a little bit arrogant. We'll add a few more points for insisting that you can actually fly, too.