We all know that I’m a musical geek. If you didn’t, now you do – yes I am. I often enjoy listen to the whole sound track from top to bottom and picture the scene. The musical made me feel alive, and all the songs tell stories and show the picture. It’s like reading the book with a 3D glasses.
The Musical Wicked, one of the most successful musicals of the history, is a very important piece for me. I’ve never seen it on the actual stage, but I know every line through and through. The song ‘Defying gravity’, is the song that I consider my theme song. I project myself to the character and it gives me the energy. And Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth became two of my favorite musical performers. Ergo, my ‘theme song’.
The Lyrics
When I was going through a hard time in the grad school, I printed out the lyrics and put that up on my desk. I think that was the first time that I ‘truly’ understood the symbolic meaning of ‘defying gravity’. I still had a very limited English skill at that time. In fact – and I admit this is little too geeky even for me – these lyrics are on the front page of my Master’s Thesis book. For your information, my major is mechanical engineering. I know, it does not go well with the rest of the book but it meant so much to me.
The lyric, it goes like this;
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.
I’m through accepting limits ’cause 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!
As someone told me lately: “Ev’ryone deserves the chance to fly!”
And if I’m flying solo at least I’m flying free.
The Character
I believe most of the people feel they are not popular. At school, at work place, when you travel, even with this cool travel bloggers’ society, we are never the ‘cool gang’. We never fit in. Elphaba does clearly not belong to any normal group. The green skinned witch who has a gentle and brave heart couldn’t be accepted by anyone because of her skin color. She was just different.
For me, growing up in such a convectional society made me feel like I was weird. I was always the one who was into the world outside of the home. Going through the schools and the cubic farm, I thought about Elphaba and this song quite a lot. I was the one with the green skin. I was different.
Something did change in me, since some time ago. I realized I could really do things to make my life happier and I did. I was tired of accepting limits that weren’t mine, I was through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game and there was no step back for me. Only to leap, and I did. It was my chance to fly.
If I’m flying solo at least I’m flying free.
It was lonely and it is – that living differently than what most of the people from my home country. I’m a failure and embarrassment to my family. I studied hard, have a food value in life, healthy attitude but none of it matters. Still, I’m living as what I planned but it doesn’t mean that I don’t think about the negative energy from back home. It’s lonely. That’s why I liked this line so much “As someone told me lately, ‘Everyone deserves the chance to fly’. And if I’m flying solo at least I’m flying free.” Yes, I’m flying solo but I’m flying free and anybody can’t pull me down.
In the end, I don’t think anyone wants me to live a life that I don’t want. What for? They, people who pity me, are sad because I don’t want the same lifestyle what everyone does, or at least they pretend to do. Still, they want to blame someone else than themselves and believe that I’m influenced by ‘free spirited people’ out in the world but none of that is true. They just don’t want to accept the fact people can be different.
So yes, I’m still listening to Defying gravity and looking for the energy to power through.
What’s your theme song?
I’m a complete musical geek as well. I love Wicked, and like you I’ve listened to the soundtrack many time. Defying Gravity is fantastic song, and I love the message that every person to take a chance and do something they really love and really believe in. I got to see the show when it was on tour in my tour in my city (Edmonton, Canada) and I love it. If you ever get a chance to see Wicked you should.
I love a lot of musicals, but I think Rent is the show that’s had the most impact on my life. The show’s message about living life without regrets, living each moment fully, and measuring your life in love (to paraphrase from the song Seasons of Love) is a message that I believe in.
Thanks for your comment Alouise. Rent is one of my favourite as well. When I first heard ‘Season of love’, I totally fell in love with the whole show. That’s what I believe too. Amazing how musicals affecting our lives. Luckily, I saw Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp’s last tour in Seoul (only original members in the tour) few years ago. I really liked the movie as well. Idina Menzel was amazing there too!
Did you read Anthony Rapp’s boo, Without You? I cried so much when I listened the audio book. That contains the whole process of Rent producing. Amazing book.
Rent is brilliant! ‘Another Day’ lyrics say, “…Forget regret. Or life is yours to miss…”
My favorite musical is Gypsy.
Based on the above blog post, I am reminded of my favorite line from The Will Rogers Follies. Before singing ‘Never Met a Man I Didn’t Like’, Will says the following, “Howdy, I guess I met a whole lotta people in my lifetime ‘an I always try to approach ‘em the same way my Indian ancestors would. See, an Indian always looks back after he passes something so he can get a view of it from both sides. A white man don’t do that; He just figures all sides of a thing are automatically the same. That’s why you must never judge a man when you’re facing him. You’ve got to go around behind him, like an Indian and look at what he’s looking at…”
It’s a shame that people can’t always understand or appreciate being different (or being green). Many people are scared to take that leap and fly solo. Kudos to you for having the courage to do so. Your family, friends or Korean society/culture may not understand you now or ever for that matter. I assure you that there are several people who think what you do on a daily basis is amazing – I am one of those people. You have chrism, gumption and the courage to live life to it’s fullest!
I haven’t had that leap of faith yet, but just like Momma Rose in Gypsy when she sings ‘Rose’s Turn’, one day it will be ‘Michael’s Turn’.
when i first saw this show, i bawled hysterically – much to my friends embarrassment and horror. I think i really related to elphaba, just being misunderstood, although my boss looked at me like I was crazy. I think we all have a little elphaba in us just dying to break free. It’s tough growing up in an asian family and not conforming [becoming a doctor, engineer, accountant, etc] so me being a traveling event planner kinda blows their mind. Apparently, I’ve got a silly job. But that’s ok because I love it!! Glad to see that you understand that no one has to live your life but you!!!
I absolutely loved this post! I too am a Musicals Geek. and this song really tugs at the heart of those in a journey to their dreams and totally self aware.
I finally saw Wicked last year after missing many opportunities to do so. It was AMAZING!!! so you should definitely do it, travel to where they are showing it.
I wan to thank you, I really thought I was the ONLY one who felt, thought, and was this way and I KNOW I’m not alone.I’m not the only one who stood out in the ‘normal’ standards.
My father told me it is GREAT to stand out. I didn’t think so for so many years. But now I support that thought in the way I live now. I cheer you on Juno!
So my Theme song is: Steve Winwood’s “The Finer Things” Here’s the youtube with lyrics. http://youtu.be/ioOrPJi3K4k
I used to live in Los Angeles on my own( Moved from Orlando, Florida to LA but now Im back in FL) and I would put this on my iPod as I walked to the Metro stop. It was my motivation!
Juno, please excuse the spelling mistake and grammatical error. The line should read, “You have CHARISMA, gumption and the courage to live life to ITS fullest!” Add me to the list of dumb Americans who can’t spell and have bad grammar.
Thanks Michael. 🙂 I shall make the list named ‘dumb americans who can’t spell and have bad grammer’ first!! 🙂
I first heard Defying Gravity on Glee. It’s a really beautiful song.
I never did get a chance to check out Wicked while it was here in Sydney. I did see the cast performing ‘Into the Woods’.
Cool, I”ve seen on Glee too, and glad Idina Menzel was actually in the show. It’s a beautiful show!
Not ashamed to admit that I’ve seen my fair share of musicals with Kieu. But Wicked is definitely our favorite. And for me Defying Gravity definitely hits you hard on your emotions and feels uplifting. Another memorable musical song is ‘The Internet is for Porn” from Avenue Q. =P