Lost my son Lawrence last year we played this at his funeral. He loved Wicked. We have finally installed his headstone and it has a Wicked quote - if you care to find me look to the western sky. I often play him the song when i visit. I miss him so much.
Klutzy Dog The first time teh people in my class saw some of idinas performeance they were like "why does she look so weird when she sings" and im like "BITCH THATS THE BEST PART
Maybe its the musical theater part of me, but I love all the gestures she makes with her face, arms and hands. Very rarely do we get to hold a mic and we use our whole body and stage to convey emotions and tell the story. She is totally Elphaba throughout her song every time she sings
While watching this honestly I thought to myself how will she sound while holding the mic and then she got the stand and began to perform and I chuckled. Every hand gesture and facial expression and movement. I can’t get enough.
That's because you're not just performing for the people in the front row. The people all the way in the back have to be able to see & feel your performance. 😊😊
It's bittersweet. Everyone is asking "is she the mom from Glee?" Or "Is this Elsa from Frozen?" I grew up listen to Wicked. She will forever be my Elphaba 💚
I love how she physically could not keep from moving around! Her acting and theatrical instincts just could not keep her grounded. (Yes, pun entirely intended.)
That's why Idina will always be my favorite Elphaba. There have been some quite strong contenders in terms of vocal ability, but they are no match to the emotional depth she brought to this role
She just couldn't help but get F U L L Y into character for this performance and I live for it. I have seen 10 different Elphaba's perform this song and none of them can move me the way Idina does. She will forever be the queen of Broadway and of my heart.
Descendants? I'm not talking about the movie she's is I'm talking about the words you said at the end the "you can take her out of OZ but you can't take Oz out of her"
Imagine being Idina Menzel 10-15 years ago and thinking, "God, I'm really going to be stuck performing 'Defying Gravity' for the rest of my damn life, aren't I?"
i don’t know how she did this every night on broadway and sung it beautifully. the song really takes a toll on your throat. i hit all the notes yesterday for the first time and now my throat feels tangly. like you know that feeling you get in your throat after you scream.
I wonder how Willemijn Verkaik has done this role on Broadway and in London and in Germany and the Netherlands for so long. She probably has nightmares about this song
I was very fortunate to be the audio recording engineer for this dvd/tv special. Unlike many shows I've worked on over the past 30 years, NONE of the vocals were replaced in the studio later. What you hear is what she sang in Toronto that night. Idina is an amazing talent, and a pleasure to work with. I've done over 4000 live recordings since 1978, and it's seldom I hear a performance while I'm mixing in the truck that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. This was certainly one of them.
You know what I think people? Keep your harsh opinions to yourself. No Idina's voice is not dying, no her voice does not suck. She never has time to rest her vocal chords between all the shows, performances, broadway, etc. Her voice is TIRED, not DEAD. You know what else, and no it's not an excuse she does have really bad asthma.. She did not have an attack performing this song but she still has it. And also this song is an extremely DIFFICULT song to sing. You can't expect every performance to be perfect. But Idina does slay it. Idina did great here and I think she has an outstanding voice. Even other people who played Elphaba struggled sometimes and were also pitchy on occasions. It happens. Stop expecting everyone to be perfect all the time. Love you Idina.
yes, agree with you. Belting does take a lot out of you, but, she has had years of experiences. That is why people have to take rests when doing singing. If not, it will tire out your vocal chords. But will you lose your voice, no. Belting at her level and notes is insane. I'm just so amazed how great this live performance is.
Idina is not a star because she has a "perfect voice", she's a star because she can perform the sh*t out of what she sings - putting her whole heart into her characters and bringing them to life through song. Her tone is unique, some like it some don't, but it's another reason why she stands out from the crowd. There are plenty of great singers out there who never get a a "big break" because they can't be vulnerable/have no stage presence/have no special "x" factor. They focus so hard on being perfect they don't know how to be genuine in front of an audience. They don't take risks, their performances aren't surprising or intriguing because of this. People can get perfect from autotuned top 40 if they want it. Give me Menzel's imperfect but passionate performances everyday of the week over a dozen bland performers with "perfect technique".
Ashleigh Stangeland I'm a 27 year old guy who can barely sing in tune if my life is on the line and my (completely impossible and insane) dream is to sing Defying Gravity and Just for this Moment with Idina. Or Kerry Ellis. Or Willemijn Verkaik. So don't think that that dream is wrong. If a dream is a wish your heart makes and you follow your heart... You can't go far wrong. :)
TheGreyRabbit In my opinion, Sarah just tries overperforming and it ends up too...much for me I guess. I like her better when she did just as much as she needed to without overdoing it.
When she got to “so if you care to find me look to the western sky” literally all of her motions were so Elphaba, the years of Broadway performing have ingrained this character into her every time she sings the song!! Her acting is what makes her so special.
I agree! Probably b/c she played this roll on Broadway for 2 years so she's sung it a million times. But yea - she's absolutely amazing and blows me away!!! I'm determined to see her on Broadway some day!
NerdLady100 In 2003 (when Idina was in NYC for Wicked in its opening year) my dad worked the lighting crew at Gershwin, where Wicked is performed, and I got to see it three times in just as many months and then again for Kristin Chenoweth's last performance in 2005. It's magical, truly. She doesn't hit every note just right, and that's what I love. She poured her soul into it, and I think that's what "perfect" is; putting your all into it and, at the end of the day, nobody's going to care about that note because it was a memorable performance. As for her arms, it's a Broadway thing. SInce theatres are so big and people are so small in comparison, movements are exagerrated. The choreography has been ingrained in her, too, and that moment is when Elphie lifts her magic broom and is shouting to take the attention off Glinda
IceCreamSoda2005 The music behind her was extraordinarily slow, and she knows that the "down" part needs to be accompanied by music. She paused so she would have an opportunity to sing with the track
Lea Salonga's version is a perfection but her voice is too angelic to portray a role of a witch. Idina's voice is exceptional and so powerful 😊😊 I admire them both 💕💕
True idina has a good voice but sometimes I'm scared when she's going on thr high notes. Lea has a voice of angels and is not fit to sing Disney characters who portrays strong emotion, because of her princess voice. both are good and a blessing.
Okay, let's just take a minute to be amazed at her stage presence. She is honestly one of the most amazing performers ever. That's how you sing a song. You put your life and soul into it.
When my mom passed many years ago (1998) her "SONG" was Moon River sung by Andy Williams. All these years later no matter where or what I am doing if I hear Andy Williams singing Moon River I sense my mom is right there. So, as I age (and face more health problems) I have slipped a note into my necessary papers fire box. I've ask my daughter (who took me to see the play "Wicked") to think of me whenever she hears "Defying Gravity" being played. This song just lifts my heart like no other! THANK YOU Idina Menzel for putting YOUR POWERFUL MAGIC into this song. IT IS INCRECIBLE!!
Idina is still the best Elphaba for me... I've watched this video a hundred times and compared it to those Broadway actresses who sang defying gravity as well. ... Idina has it.... She was, is and will always be the best singer of this piece.. not because her voice is better than anyone else, but because her heart, her attitude, her soul, and her ... embracing the character makes her stand out among everyone. Defying Gravity + Idina Menzel = The best
The one and only Elphaba that no one can top up even the Wicked movie has nothing to do with this spectacular performances of Miss Idina Menzel.Legendary!!!
I think that anyone who doesn't think she sings well has serious hearing problems. One thing is to dislike the style. The other is to say she can't sing. This song gives me the chills.
I was also wondering why and recently read that she sang the original in a very difficult tone (for her current voice) to sound more youthful (since the character is 21) so when she tries to reproduce that she has problems, specially live. She said she regrets that but I dont think she should. She overdid it to make the character better and more believeable (risking her image later) and I admire this passion for character making! That's what I always admired about her, she pours her heart into characters and go over technique, voice or w/e other things other singers find it so important to bring the emotions and characters to life. That's why she's unbeateable to me, even if she loses some belting for that!!!! ps: I'd trade any "efforteless" and "perfect" performances for her emotional (yet flawed) ones any day, any time.
After singing "Everyone deserves a chance to FLY!" she was singing as Elphaba. The same gestures, the same eyes,... Incredible! I've listen this like 20 times but I've got emotional today. What a great moment ❤
She hit all the notes with all the energy there is in her lung... this is indeed unmatched performance... i love it !!!! She has her own version that no other people can do... im sure...
Some people: i see Elsa singing this! Other people: all i see is Rachel berrys mom More people: no way! She's forever elphaba! Me: I honestly just see idina menzel
You know how much singing is ingrained in someone's soul by the joy they feel and show on their face while singing. In this case, there might not be anything in Idina's soul other than singing. You can feel the love she has for singing and performing.
WOW! What a voice. Idina Menzel has such a wonderful voice you would know anywhere. From Wicked to Frozen to Frozen 2...she is always amazing. Her voice and presence fills the room with magic. Disney must know that they were lucky to sign this tremendous talent.
This woman is my idol. I will never have a voice like her's. Seeing her live in Manchester in 2012 was one of the greatest nights of my life. If it's possible to be in love with someone you've never met, I am definitely in love with Idina Menzel.
Idina Menzel got her first start playing Maureen in Rent the Musical and then became very well known in the Broadway community for originating the role of Elphaba in Wicked the Musical. However, most people saw her for the first time on Glee as Lea Michelle's mother. Know even more people are discovering Idina for the first time thanks to Frozen's Let it Go. By the way, the songwriters and composers Robert and Kristen Lopez specifically wrote that song for Idina Menzel whom they referred to as "one of the most glorious voices of Broadway and an icon in musical theater".
If you didn't know Idina Menzel from RENT, you're either young, or have been living under a rock... She originated that role(in the fact that Maureen was written specifically for her.) and was VERY WELL KNOWN in the Broadway community before Wicked... Wicked is what introduced her to a more mainstream community.
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 Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity I think I'll try defying gravity You can't bring me down 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 buy defying gravity Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity I think I'll try defying gravity You can't bring me down Unlimited, our future is unlimited And I've just had a vision almost like a prophecy I know it sounds truly crazy And true, the vision's hazy But I swear someday I'll be Flying so high Kiss me goodbye 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 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! Ahhhh!
Can I take her, Anna Kendrick, Kristin Chenoweth, Jeremy Jordan, Jonathan Groff and Tracie Thoms to my house and make them sing for me everyday? They are so perfect!
Luís Henrique Falconi Filho. why is this comment so relatable?!? but seriously, I would be more than fine with taking Kristin chenoweth and carrying her around in my pocket and just be like "hey Kristin, can you do an f sharp please" and someone staring at me and my singing coat.
i don’t know how she sung this perfectly every night. i hit the note for the first time yesterday and now my throat is bothering me today. she’s amazing
Samantha Corulla It's always fantastic to see an actor or actress bring back an old role and get totally lost in it. For the first part, you can tell she was a little uncomfortable with the pace and not having another actress there to trade lines with, but around 2:51, as Tess mentioned, she's back in her costume on stage as elphaba, and that's beautiful. Fun fact: Idina likes to perform "Defying Gravity" because in her last full performance, they had a sub operating the elevator down to the orchestra pit in the almost-last scene and she pulled it too early, so she fell and was grabbing the stage so she wouldn't fall, but the impact broke one of her ribs. She didn't know it would be her last time performing Defying Gravity for Wicked, so she takes every opportunity to sing it when they offer to let her do so
I heard this song back in 2007 sitting in a movie theater waiting for Hairspray to start. I fell in love with it and Idina and went out and bought the soundtrack. 17 years later it still moves me to tears.
Ridiculous how much hate is one here. Idina is my queen, role model, and inspiration to keep going with life. If not for idina and Kristin and wicked. I would not be here right now. I wouldn't be able to sing. I suffer with bulimia and have don't for nearly 2 years now. My dream is to be in wicked. So I am getting help for my bulimia. Thank you idina
This is my personal theme song and it is such an inspiration to me! "I'm through accepting limits 'cause someone said they're so. Some things I cannot change but till I try I never know!"
OMG! Am I the only one who has seen her in LITERALLY EVERYTHING? Loved her in Wicked, Glee!, etc. You are amazing in everything Idina, keep up the outstanding work!
pointeprincess302 yeah, I saw a lot of people trashing her after her Oscars performance, but she was rushed, so it wasn't her fault. I'd guarantee those who trash her have only heard her in Frozen. They need to give her Broadway performances a chance!
Ugh, honestly? People are saying that? Singers have some bad days, they can't be perfect all the time. It annoys me when people make assumptions on a singer's one performance and judge their whole career.
My daughter and wife saw her performance in Pittsburgh a number of years ago and said you were a terrific singer and wonderful entertainer and also very kind.
Check out my new video 'Move': th-cam.com/video/aIJ_Xg5v-NU/w-d-xo.html
because of stell ajero of sb19 cover this pagtatag world tour..i found this 😊😊
@idinamenzel you are awesome I am a fan of you
@idinamenzel you are amazing
@idinamenzel ✅️ you are amazing
I have Frozen 1 at my house, but I will have to get Frozen 2 and stuff at home, and I will have to buy your CDS. I am a Fanzel. You are talented!!!!
She couldn't help but do the eyes like she would preform it on broadway....... she's awesome
ain't that the truth!
I know and i loveeeee it!!! And the smile
Very perceptive 😊
That's why I love her.
Because she did perform it in Wicked.
Lost my son Lawrence last year we played this at his funeral. He loved Wicked. We have finally installed his headstone and it has a Wicked quote - if you care to find me look to the western sky. I often play him the song when i visit. I miss him so much.
Rest in peace to your son
May he rest in peace let him forever listen to the song he loved.😢😢😢😭😭😭
Don’t worry his future is unlimited
May his beautiful soul rest in peace😔💗
deeply sorry for your loss, this song is very special and if he loved it and wicked i know he must have been special too 💚
I love how big her eyes get when she's singing. You can see the pure joy on her face. She is a legend
That's not joy, that's elphaba! 👀
0:58 It’s a classic Idina pose! Powerful, wide open arms, singing her heart out
Klutzy Dog The first time teh people in my class saw some of idinas performeance they were like "why does she look so weird when she sings" and im like "BITCH THATS THE BEST PART
Right
That's what Broadway legends do -- for a terrifying moment, she *was* Elphaba, truly!
Maybe its the musical theater part of me, but I love all the gestures she makes with her face, arms and hands. Very rarely do we get to hold a mic and we use our whole body and stage to convey emotions and tell the story. She is totally Elphaba throughout her song every time she sings
Wicked partially made me the musical theatre fan I am today
While watching this honestly I thought to myself how will she sound while holding the mic and then she got the stand and began to perform and I chuckled. Every hand gesture and facial expression and movement. I can’t get enough.
That's because you're not just performing for the people in the front row. The people all the way in the back have to be able to see & feel your performance. 😊😊
It's bittersweet. Everyone is asking "is she the mom from Glee?" Or "Is this Elsa from Frozen?" I grew up listen to Wicked. She will forever be my Elphaba 💚
Same here
Exactly
She will forever be Maureen from Rent for me lol.
Courtnei Jennings lol
Same! I feel so blessed to have seen her perform in London more than once. This song got me through a crappy marriage and into divorce..
The pianist is having the time of his life
Alexander Hamilton Thanks, Lin Manuel-Miranda. Indeed he is!
Yes, he looks so happy
What is Alexander hamilton doing here?
He honestly reminds me of whenever I play and sing a Broadway song on my piano lol
He's accompanying Idina Menzel!
🎤 👩 👩
ℹ 👗 🎹👔
🍴
I love how she physically could not keep from moving around! Her acting and theatrical instincts just could not keep her grounded. (Yes, pun entirely intended.)
I must say that her performance is spellbinding. She blew me away. Those who disagree are delusional.
👰. 🎥👮 🙌
👙 🍴👕
😂😂😂
Loved the pun lol
That's why Idina will always be my favorite Elphaba. There have been some quite strong contenders in terms of vocal ability, but they are no match to the emotional depth she brought to this role
She just couldn't help but get F U L L Y into character for this performance and I live for it. I have seen 10 different Elphaba's perform this song and none of them can move me the way Idina does. She will forever be the queen of Broadway and of my heart.
2:46 look at the pianist. I wish I could rock out like that while playing.
😂💕
yes
😆🤣🤣😢🤣🤣🤣😭🤣🤣
aww wow
OH WOW
The hands, the eyes, that's all Elphaba
You can take her out of Oz, but you can't take Oz out of her
It's like she just automatically gets back into character as soon as she starts singing this!
Descendants?
I'm not talking about the movie she's is I'm talking about the words you said at the end the "you can take her out of OZ but you can't take Oz out of her"
👩 👰
👔.👗🌷☕ 🍖🍞🍶🍇🍴 🎥 💜
This comment hit different almost made me tear up ❤
Imagine being Idina Menzel 10-15 years ago and thinking, "God, I'm really going to be stuck performing 'Defying Gravity' for the rest of my damn life, aren't I?"
Ikr, now it's Let it Go haha. Ahh the problems of being insanely famous for only two-three roles.
only two papers?? she is also Maureen from rent. Respect the legend
She sings more of her original stuff in the events she does, plus she loves singing Defying Gravity
Tatsk00 But imagine having to sing into the unknown so many times 😅
@@tatanooki and Nancy Tremaine in Enchanted
i still can’t believe how completely flawless her voice is
i don’t know how she did this every night on broadway and sung it beautifully. the song really takes a toll on your throat. i hit all the notes yesterday for the first time and now my throat feels tangly. like you know that feeling you get in your throat after you scream.
@@mrcoolguy2882 I mean she admits she got major vocal cord damage from singing it so often
@@sunsetsky2678 really? Aww :(
I wonder how Willemijn Verkaik has done this role on Broadway and in London and in Germany and the Netherlands for so long. She probably has nightmares about this song
I love how she pulled Elphaba's facial expressions and gestures when performing this
I can't imagine what it must feel like to open your mouth and have that kind of beauty come out...
@@BattMrown but what comes out is the opposite of beautiful
Man.......I wish I could sing
Man.......I wish I could stop singing
Man.......I wish you could have likes
@@juanmorales9538 there you go
Samiksha Das omg thx!
Man.......I wish i was a good singer
"And if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free..." -- love this. Very empowering!
Is it just me or is this seriously one of her greatest performances of this song ever?
one of? its the greatest!!
Collen Ballinger version is amazing too!
Your right I'd say she was on 🔥
Yesss
@@beniecejazminedomingo1104 Morisette Amon got the best version!
THE ELPHABA EYES ARE BACK!!! YASSS SLAY IDINA
+Darby McNeill I was just about to comment "THOSE ELPHABA EYES!!!!!"
It scares me hahahaha
Or the Rachel eyes from Life is Strange the singer, the actor ,the person who was gonna make it until Max and Chloe came to rescue her
I was very fortunate to be the audio recording engineer for this dvd/tv special. Unlike many shows I've worked on over the past 30 years, NONE of the vocals were replaced in the studio later. What you hear is what she sang in Toronto that night. Idina is an amazing talent, and a pleasure to work with. I've done over 4000 live recordings since 1978, and it's seldom I hear a performance while I'm mixing in the truck that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. This was certainly one of them.
That's great to hear. She certainly is a talent and that must have been a huge privilege to work with her
You’re so talented Adele DazeeM
AHHH HAHAHAHAH 🤣 in the wise words of John Travolta
Lmao
Came here for this comment
HAHAHAAHHA
😂😂😂
You know what I think people? Keep your harsh opinions to yourself. No Idina's voice is not dying, no her voice does not suck. She never has time to rest her vocal chords between all the shows, performances, broadway, etc. Her voice is TIRED, not DEAD. You know what else, and no it's not an excuse she does have really bad asthma.. She did not have an attack performing this song but she still has it. And also this song is an extremely DIFFICULT song to sing. You can't expect every performance to be perfect. But Idina does slay it. Idina did great here and I think she has an outstanding voice. Even other people who played Elphaba struggled sometimes and were also pitchy on occasions. It happens. Stop expecting everyone to be perfect all the time. Love you Idina.
Could not agree more
I agree nothing comes good from harsh comments and hating...
Im sue she had an attack before she sang on the Royal Variety or Tonys for wicked
Exactly !
yes, agree with you. Belting does take a lot out of you, but, she has had years of experiences. That is why people have to take rests when doing singing. If not, it will tire out your vocal chords. But will you lose your voice, no. Belting at her level and notes is insane. I'm just so amazed how great this live performance is.
Idina is not a star because she has a "perfect voice", she's a star because she can perform the sh*t out of what she sings - putting her whole heart into her characters and bringing them to life through song. Her tone is unique, some like it some don't, but it's another reason why she stands out from the crowd. There are plenty of great singers out there who never get a a "big break" because they can't be vulnerable/have no stage presence/have no special "x" factor. They focus so hard on being perfect they don't know how to be genuine in front of an audience. They don't take risks, their performances aren't surprising or intriguing because of this. People can get perfect from autotuned top 40 if they want it. Give me Menzel's imperfect but passionate performances everyday of the week over a dozen bland performers with "perfect technique".
Is it wrong to dream of singing with Idina?
Ashleigh Stangeland nope
Really even if you are a 15 year old girl?
Ashleigh Stangeland I'm a 27 year old guy who can barely sing in tune if my life is on the line and my (completely impossible and insane) dream is to sing Defying Gravity and Just for this Moment with Idina. Or Kerry Ellis. Or Willemijn Verkaik. So don't think that that dream is wrong. If a dream is a wish your heart makes and you follow your heart... You can't go far wrong. :)
***** Your a Disney fan?
If you look at her eyes, you can see the crazed joy. She is a perfect Elphaba.
💚💚💚💚
Shame a man out did her.
th-cam.com/video/vdNSi07T5GQ/w-d-xo.html&pp=ygUaZGVmeWluZyBncmF2aXR5IHN1cGVyZnJ1aXQ%3D
I'm not really a musicals fan but there is something truly magical and beautiful about listening to Idina Menzel. What a gift to the world she is.
If I could attend to one of her concerts, and have her sing a medley of defying gravity and let it go, I swear to god...total epicness
Oh my gosh. If that happens I would cry tears of joy. Those two songs seem like they were meant to be mashed-up!
All the more reason to perfect cloning, we need more Menzels.
DarkShroud24 Or at least get her and Sarah Brightman to go on tour together.
TheGreyRabbit In my opinion, Sarah just tries overperforming and it ends up too...much for me I guess. I like her better when she did just as much as she needed to without overdoing it.
She was in full Elphaba mode in this aw. Loved it
Goosebumps at "LOOK to the Western sky!!!"
Sara Yang Omg ikr!! What a power house!!
She literally embodies Elphaba at that moment!!! I absolutely love how she’s commanding her voice in that moment it’s so amazing.
When she got to “so if you care to find me look to the western sky” literally all of her motions were so Elphaba, the years of Broadway performing have ingrained this character into her every time she sings the song!! Her acting is what makes her so special.
That last high note is one of the many reasons why I admire Idina Menzel so much!
That's why I was surprised that the last high note on the song Let It Go was left there because it sounded off.
jdlaw001
It's harder to do when she has to sing a phrase afterward. Also, I don't think it was off
It's not off, it was just cut short because the next verse is just a breath away after the high note.
She is so happy. That is what singing should look and sound like. It gives happiness and love and that's what indina gives us
I don't know what I love more: her voice or that crazy look in her eyes :)
You can hear the utter joy in her voice when she sings and the look in her eyes is pure wonder and magic. What a stellar performance.
she became elphaba halfway through the song
although of course she's going to forever be elphaba in my heart
WOW. I have to admit, Idina is a LOT more comfortable singing Defying Gravity live than she is singing Let It Go. Either way, wow. Unbelievable.
I agree! Probably b/c she played this roll on Broadway for 2 years so she's sung it a million times. But yea - she's absolutely amazing and blows me away!!! I'm determined to see her on Broadway some day!
She's amazing, and I agree! She's such a wonderful singer ^w^
Absolutely! I don't know what happened at the Oscars, but this is incredible!
DAHIESTABUNNE
Adel Dazeem
Considering she sang it for multiple years live, it makes sense.
Omg the arms! Watch the arms as she performs there is nothing more magical or beautiful! OMG I need to go see her live! I just have to.
NerdLady100 I saw her about a month ago in Richmond. She is absolutely amazing.
NerdLady100 In 2003 (when Idina was in NYC for Wicked in its opening year) my dad worked the lighting crew at Gershwin, where Wicked is performed, and I got to see it three times in just as many months and then again for Kristin Chenoweth's last performance in 2005. It's magical, truly. She doesn't hit every note just right, and that's what I love. She poured her soul into it, and I think that's what "perfect" is; putting your all into it and, at the end of the day, nobody's going to care about that note because it was a memorable performance.
As for her arms, it's a Broadway thing. SInce theatres are so big and people are so small in comparison, movements are exagerrated. The choreography has been ingrained in her, too, and that moment is when Elphie lifts her magic broom and is shouting to take the attention off Glinda
It looks like she lost her braeth in 3:47
IceCreamSoda2005 The music behind her was extraordinarily slow, and she knows that the "down" part needs to be accompanied by music. She paused so she would have an opportunity to sing with the track
She is sooooo good live! I hope you got to or get to see her one day!
The OG Elpheba. Nobody sings it like Idina! ICONIC!
There are many who were better, Shoshana, Lindsay, Willemijn, Stephanie J.B,Eden. She was the first not remotely the best.
Lea Salonga's version is a perfection but her voice is too angelic to portray a role of a witch. Idina's voice is exceptional and so powerful 😊😊 I admire them both 💕💕
Yup true! Lea's voice is not fit for Elphaba's character, but she indeed sang her version amazingly.
Ms. Lea Salonga sounds like a princess.
@@jencastillo5696 she was the singing voices of Princess Jasmine and Mulan
@Anna Mikaela Pingol agreed 😊 there voices are wonderful 😍
True idina has a good voice but sometimes I'm scared when she's going on thr high notes. Lea has a voice of angels and is not fit to sing Disney characters who portrays strong emotion, because of her princess voice. both are good and a blessing.
I like how she stroked her hair in the beginning like, "bitch I'm about to fuck it up!"
Then she slayed it
You surprise me how it is you would like this, as clearly you have no class or vocabulary.
Fuck it up, as in slay it, kill it, SLAAAAAYy not negative
lmao "Let me grab this Mic stand and slay"
cx
It's so weird to see her stay on the ground rather than being lifted 16 feet in the air on a tiny platform at the end.
+Hunter G. Yep xD
Nobody sings this like she does. This song ws made for her. Idina is fabulous what ever she sings
damn, she nailed it. very theatrical, i love it.
She performed this song 2 days a week for 10 years!
Jared Smith why 10 years? Idina left wicked after several years I think
Jared Smith Actually, it was more like 8 times a week for about 3 years.
Okay, let's just take a minute to be amazed at her stage presence. She is honestly one of the most amazing performers ever. That's how you sing a song. You put your life and soul into it.
Her vocal technique leaves a lot to be desired though.
I absolutely adore the passion in her eyes. It shows how well the character has stayed with her throughout all this time.
When my mom passed many years ago (1998) her "SONG" was Moon River sung by Andy Williams. All these years later no matter where or what I am doing if I hear Andy Williams singing Moon River I sense my mom is right there. So, as I age (and face more health problems) I have slipped a note into my necessary papers fire box. I've ask my daughter (who took me to see the play "Wicked") to think of me whenever she hears "Defying Gravity" being played. This song just lifts my heart like no other! THANK YOU Idina Menzel for putting YOUR POWERFUL MAGIC into this song. IT IS INCRECIBLE!!
someone needs to mash up Let it Go and Defying Gravity for Idina to sing for all of us and just leave us breathless.
there are some on youtube
ugh yes
If Idina ever again reappears on Glee, she should totally sing that.
Oskar Acosta
Oh my word, that'd be so amazing!!!
Oskar Acosta Too bad glee already did this, they rarely, almost never, reuse songs.
Idina is still the best Elphaba for me... I've watched this video a hundred times and compared it to those Broadway actresses who sang defying gravity as well.
... Idina has it.... She was, is and will always be the best singer of this piece.. not because her voice is better than anyone else, but because her heart, her attitude, her soul, and her ...
embracing the character makes her stand out among everyone. Defying Gravity + Idina Menzel = The best
The one and only Elphaba that no one can top up even the Wicked movie has nothing to do with this spectacular performances of Miss Idina Menzel.Legendary!!!
I think that anyone who doesn't think she sings well has serious hearing problems. One thing is to dislike the style. The other is to say she can't sing. This song gives me the chills.
Her Let it Go songs weren't to fantastic but still she's an amazing singer and I love her singing
I was also wondering why and recently read that she sang the original in a very difficult tone (for her current voice) to sound more youthful (since the character is 21) so when she tries to reproduce that she has problems, specially live. She said she regrets that but I dont think she should. She overdid it to make the character better and more believeable (risking her image later) and I admire this passion for character making! That's what I always admired about her, she pours her heart into characters and go over technique, voice or w/e other things other singers find it so important to bring the emotions and characters to life. That's why she's unbeateable to me, even if she loses some belting for that!!!!
ps: I'd trade any "efforteless" and "perfect" performances for her emotional (yet flawed) ones any day, any time.
Jessia Medeiros Thank you for the explanation.
She hits every note and drowns out the brass section-such power
I loved the crazed look in her eye when she sings - it shows she really feels the music 😁💖
I love this woman’s voice, it is so iconic and different. This song is outstanding, and her playing Elsa in frozen is absolutely outstanding
“I am throughly accepting limits, because someone says they’re so” damn. That’s powerful. Get it queen!!👑👑
After singing "Everyone deserves a chance to FLY!" she was singing as Elphaba. The same gestures, the same eyes,... Incredible! I've listen this like 20 times but I've got emotional today. What a great moment ❤
She hit all the notes with all the energy there is in her lung... this is indeed unmatched performance... i love it !!!! She has her own version that no other people can do... im sure...
Some people: i see Elsa singing this!
Other people: all i see is Rachel berrys mom
More people: no way! She's forever elphaba!
Me: I honestly just see idina menzel
I see Maureen Johnson...
Bru same
Same. Even when i listen t the frozen soundtrack sometimes i just hear idina.
Bro idk about you but I see Adele Dazeem
Yesss me tooo
At 2:48 Idina steps off stage and is replaced by Elphaba... and I get chills no every time I watch!
best version of her vocals. and that theatricality 🥰 goosebumps
If Menzel and Michele were only lookalikes okay, but they even *sound* similar. That's crazy.
Qwa'ha Xahn Vahla ha'nesh I know! They need to do a DNA test lol!
@@BooBecca55 that would ruin the fun. Then the whole world knows that Elsa and Anna are a thing
AgarWorstPlayer I’m kinda confused how Anna plays into this? Lol 🤣
AgarWorstPlayer Oh, fuck off... I'm already disgusted about how the whole fandom ships Elsanna so please never bring that up again🙈
The similarities are amazing I demand answers!!😁😁😁😁😁
You know how much singing is ingrained in someone's soul by the joy they feel and show on their face while singing. In this case, there might not be anything in Idina's soul other than singing. You can feel the love she has for singing and performing.
I honestly couldn’t not agree with you more!
I love the style she chose to sing it for this. It goes so awesome with the orchestral arrangement. It gives a more epic and different feel for it.
Wow the pianist is really into this song at 2:47 lollll
Bless you for pointing that out XD I needed a good laugh
Lol omg xD I loved that. Never noticed that before. and I dont know how many times I've seen this videk xD
LMAO!!! Thank you for pointing that out and making me actually laugh out loud! Hahahahaha!
Right on pianist, right on! 👏👏👏
OMG!! lol! thank you for pointing that out!!
+MANU BEEZU I feel him
WOW! What a voice. Idina Menzel has such a wonderful voice you would know anywhere. From Wicked to Frozen to Frozen 2...she is always amazing. Her voice and presence fills the room with magic. Disney must know that they were lucky to sign this tremendous talent.
This woman is my idol. I will never have a voice like her's. Seeing her live in Manchester in 2012 was one of the greatest nights of my life. If it's possible to be in love with someone you've never met, I am definitely in love with Idina Menzel.
I swear this woman is the best singer in this universe 😭!
Idina Menzel got her first start playing Maureen in Rent the Musical and then became very well known in the Broadway community for originating the role of Elphaba in Wicked the Musical. However, most people saw her for the first time on Glee as Lea Michelle's mother. Know even more people are discovering Idina for the first time thanks to Frozen's Let it Go.
By the way, the songwriters and composers Robert and Kristen Lopez specifically wrote that song for Idina Menzel whom they referred to as "one of the most glorious voices of Broadway and an icon in musical theater".
Yup !!. Im one of them
Damn Right!
You forgot Enchanted. I remember her in that movie years before glee.
If you didn't know Idina Menzel from RENT, you're either young, or have been living under a rock... She originated that role(in the fact that Maureen was written specifically for her.) and was VERY WELL KNOWN in the Broadway community before Wicked... Wicked is what introduced her to a more mainstream community.
idina is a pure talent...
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
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
You can't bring me down
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 buy defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
You can't bring me down
Unlimited, our future is unlimited
And I've just had a vision almost like a prophecy
I know it sounds truly crazy
And true, the vision's hazy
But I swear someday I'll be
Flying so high
Kiss me goodbye
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 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!
Ahhhh!
Thank you 😁💜😁
The part where she says unlimited, is this a verse they changed for her solo? Cause she totally killed it!!
@@yasmin3121 they just changed the lyrics bc in the musical it's a sort of dialogue with Glinda
Thank you! I looked it up and saw that she sorta sings this verse in the wizard and I. But God this version is just gold!
Thank you
Over a decade of nailing every word. Class act. Legend.
are we sure she is NOT lea michele's real mom?
WE DEMAND A DNA! Hahaha!
Ikr. I thought she has a older daughter and its Lea Michele.
Niz Malik someone find Maury Povich , he's good at doing DNA testing.
SunshineDay Oh my god the Maury show is literally on TV as I write this XD
Maybe they're distantly related!
"Frozen is her best work" -obviously haven't seen RENT or Wicked or hell even Enchanted.
Sameeee!!
Enchanted was my childhood
+amber brown And she doesn't even sing in Enchanted! 😣
+RrUno exactly. Frozen gave her part of the recognition she deserves and an opportunity to go on tour, opening more doors for her.
who was she in rent? the movie? Or one of the broadway performances?
Can I take her, Anna Kendrick, Kristin Chenoweth, Jeremy Jordan, Jonathan Groff and Tracie Thoms to my house and make them sing for me everyday? They are so perfect!
Omg the last part she really let it out Like seriously Girl
+IceCreamSoda2005 I tried to YELL that out and I ran ouy of breath in the first 2 seconds
i love them
And lea michelle! Even though she was on glee wich is kinda crappy she's an AMAZING singer !
Luís Henrique Falconi Filho. why is this comment so relatable?!? but seriously, I would be more than fine with taking Kristin chenoweth and carrying her around in my pocket and just be like "hey Kristin, can you do an f sharp please" and someone staring at me and my singing coat.
I'm her fan in South Korea. Her voice gives me strength every day. I will support her here, too.
I LOVE THAT DRESS!!!! AND HER VOICE!!!! I'M DYING!!!!!
Oh my god I know!!!! I'm like her biggest fan
I sing everyone cringes.
Idina Menzel sings and praise the mighty power of the heavenly Father, what the frick, OMG, standing ovation!!!
i don’t know how she sung this perfectly every night. i hit the note for the first time yesterday and now my throat is bothering me today. she’s amazing
It's like this song is made for Idina! No one would ever sing it this beautifully😍❤
Gidget dela Llana can sing it kinda better. try it out
rachel tucker is in my opinion far better. i haven't heard gidget though so i'll give her a chance!!
+Rocky Sinangote stop putting gidget on the same playing field as idina when she is a tony award winning singer and the other is a singer wanna be
Beau dermott sings it way better
You forgot the version of Lea Salonga which is way too better. 😁
No one sings better than her in my opinion. I love every gesture, every movement that she makes. ❤
this is one of the best live perfomances I've ever watched, I love you Idina
🌷💜
i wish she had a song in enchanted. that would have been amazing.
I always thought the same thing!
skyllo I
could we expect something in Disenchanted that is in the making?
@@proudsmiler5185 Love Power
3:03 elphaba took over :') she will always be my favorite
Right?! She totally got into character :D
Her inner feeling is gorgeous. XD
I think it was more at 2:51 but either way I love it!
Samantha Corulla It's always fantastic to see an actor or actress bring back an old role and get totally lost in it. For the first part, you can tell she was a little uncomfortable with the pace and not having another actress there to trade lines with, but around 2:51, as Tess mentioned, she's back in her costume on stage as elphaba, and that's beautiful.
Fun fact: Idina likes to perform "Defying Gravity" because in her last full performance, they had a sub operating the elevator down to the orchestra pit in the almost-last scene and she pulled it too early, so she fell and was grabbing the stage so she wouldn't fall, but the impact broke one of her ribs. She didn't know it would be her last time performing Defying Gravity for Wicked, so she takes every opportunity to sing it when they offer to let her do so
Unicorn Films Actually, that was her last time performing on Broadway, as she later (2006) reprised her role as Elphaba on West End
This performance still blows my mind. She's brilliant.
Must have been weird for her not to be lifted 15 feet into the air at the end.
And to be not painted green
+error2k2 and not making cow sounds
+robbyhoff What do you mean she doesn't do the show any more now so her voice won't be so damaged after doing this and many other songs 8 times a week
+Beth Pearson No, no, robbyhoff was making a Rent reference-definitely not taking a swipe at her voice!
+Elizabeth Barone Oops I didn't know that i have never seen rent before! Mistaes are made!
I seriously burst into tears every time I her you sing. Just stunning.
I heard this song back in 2007 sitting in a movie theater waiting for Hairspray to start. I fell in love with it and Idina and went out and bought the soundtrack. 17 years later it still moves me to tears.
Now there is an artist
I love the way her eyes light up while singing the song
Truly magical 👏👏👏👏👏
I love her voice, the best Elphaba, the best Elsa with Anaïs Delva, I love you Idina I'm one of your biggest fans!!
Did you know she was in the original cast for Wicked? So that means she was the first Elphaba
I know, but she is not Elphaba in all languages
Oh... I guess I derped on that :p
Artemis7941 she is also not elsa in all languages
Yeah, Idina Menzel is the best Elsa, but Anaïs Delva is very good too
Ridiculous how much hate is one here. Idina is my queen, role model, and inspiration to keep going with life. If not for idina and Kristin and wicked. I would not be here right now. I wouldn't be able to sing. I suffer with bulimia and have don't for nearly 2 years now. My dream is to be in wicked. So I am getting help for my bulimia. Thank you idina
This song gives me chills every time I hear it. Wicked is my favourite theatre production, and this reminds me why.
She has such a great voice. Such strength and sweetness in it. And I love how she lives the song
I think this is my favorite rendition of this song, ever.
***** Yah, but this is different from how she originally sang it in the show.
*****
Yes, what eliza wildes said!
Eliza Wildes That's because during the show, there is another person. It's just her singing here. Look it up.
Thanks for the info. but I already knew that hence the earlier comment.
This is my personal theme song and it is such an inspiration to me!
"I'm through accepting limits 'cause someone said they're so.
Some things I cannot change but till I try I never know!"
Could not agree more. Amazing. I get goosebumps listening to her sing it
OMG! Am I the only one who has seen her in LITERALLY EVERYTHING? Loved her in Wicked, Glee!, etc. You are amazing in everything Idina, keep up the outstanding work!
Rent! 💜💜
I've watched these so many times now, I should just buy the damned DVD.
I love this orchestration, arrangement, and performance so much.
Thanks
This, ladies and gentlemen, is how Defying Gravity is meant to be performed.
To me, in this performance she looks so, so gorgeous and sang amazingly. Idina Menzel is the true Elphaba! Thank you for this perfect performance
and her purple dress and the Orchestra behind her makes this performance even better. beautiful.
I literally almost started crying I love this woman
I knew who Idina Menzel (or Adele Dazeem) is before Frozen.
You said that with hipster glasses, didn't you?
so did everybody
I've been a fan of her since Rent!
Rebekah Guilford of course!
Vickie Gardiner Yeah, well, some people still don't know who she is even though they've watched Frozen
This song goes out to those who think Idina Menzel is terrible live. Listen to this. Tell me this is not wonderful.
people think she's terrible live?? she was on Broadway!!! her whole career is live!! sighh...
pointeprincess302 yeah, I saw a lot of people trashing her after her Oscars performance, but she was rushed, so it wasn't her fault. I'd guarantee those who trash her have only heard her in Frozen. They need to give her Broadway performances a chance!
Ugh, honestly? People are saying that? Singers have some bad days, they can't be perfect all the time. It annoys me when people make assumptions on a singer's one performance and judge their whole career.
My daughter and wife saw her performance in Pittsburgh a number of years ago and said you were a terrific singer and wonderful entertainer and also very kind.
The way she’s in character is so beautiful to see. It’s the time of the night when all the emotions are coming out lmao