Idina is so wickedly talented. She totally let go of her thoughts and sang. I bet with a voice like that she has no problems with paying rent. Because it’s really enchanted.
jdlaw001 I literally can't listen to Defying Gravity without crying at the ending. As soon as she sings "So if you care to find me look to the western sky" and so on, I start to tear up. Automatically.
hill hop That would be nice. And let's be honest here, For Good is just a sob fest. But Defying Gravity actually makes me really emotional. Her confidence and anger and freedom in that finale is like a punch through the heart. I literally can't listen to it when others are around! Tell me I'm not alone.
+jdlaw001 it totally is. i read your reply before i started listening and i was like "oh i'm definitely not gonna cry now". then she sang "and if i'm flying solo" and on that last word one tear escaped. i don't know why. maybe it was just a flawlessly sung note. maybe it was the emotion behind it. i don't know. but she's magic.
I keep coming back to these old performances. This is the exact description that fits the feeling I get with this song. Tear-inducing from being so overwhelmed
you can discuss her singing skills and her voice as much as you want, but you can't deny the fact that she puts her soul in acting and pulled out one of the best, if not the best, Elphaba ever. It's incredible how possessed she is in every scene and song, especially during Defying Gravity
She may have been rushed but vocally, this is the best video of her I've seen on youtube. I was lucky enough to see her in 2006 on Broadway and she was incredible. Its a crime that doing to show for so long took a toll on her voice
Guys she may be exhausted but she is doing something she loves more than anything so its worth. Don't you see the joy just radiating off of her facial expressions? Just appreciate it.
I hope she NEVER gets tired of singing this, it's so breath-taking. I know I'll never get tired of listening to this. It's (obviously) so inspiring and beautiful, I feel bad for people who haven't heard it. ^u^
a few things: 1. This song gives me the chills 2. "the march of the witch" sounds an awful lot like "no good deed goes unpunished" and 3. Idina is my total Idol! she is so amazing! She did awesome on Glee, Rent, and Wicked. ... oh and 4. where can I get a witch hat like that? lolzz
I got to hear her sing Defying Gravity while she was doing a filmed live performance of Let It Go at Disneyland when I was working there. I worked the filming and absolutely despise Let It Go now because of how much I had to listen to it very loudly that shift but hearing her sing Defying Gravity live was incredible. She sounded amazing and she was just warming up and killing time on stage
jdlaw001 I found it ironic since I really wasn't expecting Disney to pick someone to voice Elsa who literally played as a character that was so similar to her. Actually I didn't even know for the longest time until I finally googled who Elsa's voice actor was since she sounded so familiar and then I burst out laughing when I found out it was Idina.
wonderful as always I saw Wicked last month. But, before I saw it I had the original soundtrack first. I'm glad that she became more well known from Frozen. I hope that she'll be in more movies I hope to see another Broadway show with her in it someday.
I got to go back stage the first time I saw wicked to see the the props and everything and I got to see how the flying machine and trapdoor work, it was so cool! I love Idina she's AMAZING her concert was amazing too!
***** He was saying that he didn't before think that she can sing anything better than she sang "Let It Go" (as it was amazing), but this is an equal in his eyes, Calm down, bro.
0:22 March of the Witch Hunters 0:47 Defying Gravity (verse and chorus 1) 1:33 Defying Gravity (verse and chorus 2) 2:16 The Wizard and I 2:39 Defying Gravity (post bridge) 2:48 Defying Gravity (bridge 2 and final chorus)
There could be several reasons (listed in order of decreasing importance) why this performance sounds "better" than Let It Go. First, the tone of the song depends a lot on the music director and the soundtrack in the background. The singer could be much better than the song shows and a good director can make a bad singer sound better than he/she is. Second, Menzel is quite a bit older in Frozen's Let It Go than she was in Wicked. Third, she also developed asthma as a result of the years of singing Wicked songs so that could have changed the pitch of her voice.
What a boring audience. They just witnessed one of the best musical numbers in broadway history and they applaud like they just saw a dog do trick for a bone.
Hi all you haters out there! You need to keep your opinions to yourself and shut up! Thank you have a nice day! Love, Someone who thinks, if you're not going to say something nice don't say anything at all BOOM! I'm out!
Dfan9314 omfg. how can anyone HATE idina menzel?! she's amazing! she's my idol! I look up to her as a singer! Who the HELL hates Idina Menzel?! Dear God..
Sorry but for me this performance was pitchy at times, and Idina's voice sounded pretty strained - especially at the end. Of course this isn't an easy song to sing... far from it. But when you watch someone like - oh, i don't know - Willemijn Verkaik sing it, you notice how much more effortless and pleasant to the ear the vocal is. I don't expect the die-hard Idina fans to agree with me, as of course she can do no wrong in their eyes. But musically, this was a good vocal - not great.
I'm not a die-hard Idina menzel fan but you gotta give her a bit of respect she was the original Elphaba and she didn't have anyone to practice off of. The other elphabas could look at idinas performance but she had nobody
Tristen DiAngelo Oh, I respect her for that, to be sure. But I can still see her objectively enough to be able to say that she needs to fix her technique... she would gain consistency, have a better tone, and be able to maintain her vocal health much better if she'd work on a healthier vocal placement, resonance, and breath control; those are skills that she should have apart from whether she's creating a role or not.
Yes there have been some Elphabas that were as good or better than Idina in this performance. I will completely agree with you. However all you music experts who are hating her singing are missing a very key fact about this particular performance. Idina had a horrible asthma attack not long before she stepped out to sing. I happen to think her singing is brilliant considering the asthma attack. It was a miracle she was even able to sing, never mind hitting the notes in this particular song.
+Missy Doe Completely agree - Idina was actually pretty pitchy in this performance... Sure, it's far from an easy song to sing - but Willemijn makes it look so. Idina's voice sounded strained in this performance, especially towards the end.
Oh my god, she can never manage to hit the right note. Did you here how horrible the "so if you care to find me" was... everybody's like "she's the broadway queen" "she's the best nothing beats her"... There's a woman called Willemjin Verkaik who sings Wicked in three different languages and is a waaaayyyyy better singer for this part than Idina Menzel. I'm not talking about the gasps and the faces you make, but a singer who can hit higher notes with accuracy not like this crappy mess.
Here I am in 2024 sent here by the new Wicked movie trailer! Defying Gravity is one of my all time favorite Act One finales! Make us all proud Cynthia. While we are at it, I don’t blame Idina for how vocally demanding singing these lyrics are. But she can still slay a tune!
I have seen Wicked on Broadway and listened to videos of the Glee kids singing this song live. Both versions are incredible, just for the fact that all the singers involved are fantastic. I don't think people understand how ridiculously hard it is to hit some of those pitches. Congratz to Glee kids for doing so brilliantly on such a hard song.
The emotion portrayed in her performances gives me chills every time
She is soooo amazingly talented!!
she IS!
I agree
🌞🌞🌲🌞💜🌲🌞
I love how she's one with her character; every emotion can be heard in her voice and seen in her face and the result is WICKED
👰👰🌲🤗👰
Rachel Tucker is the same too❤
Idina is so wickedly talented. She totally let go of her thoughts and sang. I bet with a voice like that she has no problems with paying rent. Because it’s really enchanted.
She left the audience frozen in awe
😠😄😠😄🫢😄
😂😂😂
I swear whenever Idina sings this song, it's so tear-inducing. I remember watching this on Letterman years ago and I got hooked instantly.
jdlaw001 I literally can't listen to Defying Gravity without crying at the ending. As soon as she sings "So if you care to find me look to the western sky" and so on, I start to tear up. Automatically.
hill hop That would be nice. And let's be honest here, For Good is just a sob fest. But Defying Gravity actually makes me really emotional. Her confidence and anger and freedom in that finale is like a punch through the heart. I literally can't listen to it when others are around! Tell me I'm not alone.
+jdlaw001 it totally is. i read your reply before i started listening and i was like "oh i'm definitely not gonna cry now". then she sang "and if i'm flying solo" and on that last word one tear escaped. i don't know why. maybe it was just a flawlessly sung note. maybe it was the emotion behind it. i don't know. but she's magic.
I keep coming back to these old performances. This is the exact description that fits the feeling I get with this song. Tear-inducing from being so overwhelmed
👰😠👰😠🙄
you can discuss her singing skills and her voice as much as you want, but you can't deny the fact that she puts her soul in acting and pulled out one of the best, if not the best, Elphaba ever. It's incredible how possessed she is in every scene and song, especially during Defying Gravity
I go for heart over anything. But that being said, I love her voice.
😠🤗👍🤗👍
Anyone that says she can't sing need their head examining. She's stunning
Respect must be paid. Idina is freaking amazing
🌞💝😬🌲🌞
This video is the middle finger to anyone who says she can't sing. This was amazing
Who tf said that Idina Mendel can’t sing? She’s literally nicknamed the Queen of Broadway for her superior singing skills and excellent acting ability
LOL whoever dares to say Idina Menzel can't sing is truly, hopelessly fucking DEAF.
Oh do ignore the young snowflakes before you and I, we must introduce them to what real talent is :P]@@tuttiflooti
💜😌💜😠😠💜
I mean this song itself is a middle finger to anyone who has done you wrong
If only Margaret Hamilton (Original 1939 Wicked Witch actress) could have lived to see this... she would have loved it
Maybe she would have and maybe she would not have!
It's not about the notes missed in this song. It's about the emotion and Idina brought. I love this version.
🤗🌞😌💝🌞🤗😌
My GOD, this woman can SING!!!
😬😌😬😌
She is such a FLAWLESS woman
She may have been rushed but vocally, this is the best video of her I've seen on youtube. I was lucky enough to see her in 2006 on Broadway and she was incredible. Its a crime that doing to show for so long took a toll on her voice
😥💋😥💋💋😥
She sounds like an angel!
This is probably her best performance of DG (although she is always good)....very strong belt, doesn't sound out of breath, etc. Brava! :)
I am watching this 13 years later I really love Idina Menzel
Guys she may be exhausted but she is doing something she loves more than anything so its worth. Don't you see the joy just radiating off of her facial expressions? Just appreciate it.
😬💋😬💜💝
that whole time she was up in the air, i swear to god. chills, everywhere. god bless her voice.
i love her voice, she's incredible! as a singer myself, i'm just in awe of her tonal control and precision.
Who's watching this amazing great performance of Idina Menzel in 2015? ;) I love idina!
2018
2024
Idina is just completely amazing!
My right ear enjoyed this so much
Not as much as my right ear
Saw her in London along with Christen as my 50th Birthday present. An evening I will never forget. ❤
Wow, her voice seriously gave me chills. She's so amazing.
Everytime she sings, she gives me shivers, so awesome :D
She is incredible! Definently one of my favorite female singers
This brings me to tears and gives me chills everytime
I love how people hate on her voice yet they can't sing but you know people always hate on what they can't have
She was on The View and talked about how it was awkward waving to David Letterman from a crane lol 4:12
I hope she NEVER gets tired of singing this, it's so breath-taking. I know I'll never get tired of listening to this. It's (obviously) so inspiring and beautiful, I feel bad for people who haven't heard it. ^u^
a few things:
1. This song gives me the chills
2. "the march of the witch" sounds an awful lot like "no good deed goes unpunished" and
3. Idina is my total Idol! she is so amazing! She did awesome on Glee, Rent, and Wicked.
... oh and
4. where can I get a witch hat like that? lolzz
💝💜😥💝🌲
This is one of the oldest videos on RUclips I've seen that haven't been removed for copyright content yet. lol
Still here
A performance so sensational, one could say it’s _defying copyright._
It’s because the arbiter of the copywriting decision making is a big old QUEEN.
THE Best live performance of all time of whatsoever
My right ear for my headphones enjoyed this video.
I just listened to this on glee. I had to quickly come and listen to this version to restore my ears. ugh. Idina Menzel has the best voice ever!
I love the story she told him a few years ago about how she was waving but she was still up in the air and he didn't see her.
The funny thing is she goes higher in this song than she does in 'Let It Go,' yet she sounds soooo much better here...
That's cause this is a good 8 years ago :P people's voices become lower as they age :)
If the guards didn't take the time to pose they might have gotten her!
I have a feeling even the guards didn't want her to stop singing :P
I got to hear her sing Defying Gravity while she was doing a filmed live performance of Let It Go at Disneyland when I was working there. I worked the filming and absolutely despise Let It Go now because of how much I had to listen to it very loudly that shift but hearing her sing Defying Gravity live was incredible. She sounded amazing and she was just warming up and killing time on stage
woah she's amazing!! I got chills the whole time she was singing~ truly talented
Who’s here in January 2025
Me
I am here November 2024
Had to see this after going to see 2024 Wicked with Cynthia E.
Me
Everyone, we saw the move too
Who’s here in 2024 after wicked was released on the movie screen?
Meeeeee
🙋♀️
Idina was an awesome Elphaba and I really can't help but laugh at the irony of Disney having Idina voice Elsa xD
What's the irony?
Rakhil T. You've watched the movie Frozen right?
Emma Melaney What's ironic about Idina playing both parts?
jdlaw001 I found it ironic since I really wasn't expecting Disney to pick someone to voice Elsa who literally played as a character that was so similar to her. Actually I didn't even know for the longest time until I finally googled who Elsa's voice actor was since she sounded so familiar and then I burst out laughing when I found out it was Idina.
NightStar787 It might be just me, but I don't find it ironic.
she always looks like she is having fun while doing this which is why
i love her :)
After the watching a few videos of this song I have to say this might be my favorite
wonderful as always I saw Wicked last month. But, before I saw it I had the original soundtrack first. I'm glad that she became more well known from Frozen. I hope that she'll be in more movies I hope to see another Broadway show with her in it someday.
Besides the one she's in now? (If/Then)
God she gives me chills when she sings defying gravity!! It's insane!!!
🌲🫣🌲🫣🌲
Let it go, Idina! LET IT GO!!!!!!
How many people shed a tear when they heard this song in the stage production. I had to wipe my eyes I must admit
I got to go back stage the first time I saw wicked to see the the props and everything and I got to see how the flying machine and trapdoor work, it was so cool! I love Idina she's AMAZING her concert was amazing too!
Goosebumps
Idina looks so young in this video! I suppose it is from a decade ago.
Wicked was created in 2003. Lol so only 11 years ago.
2SecretGamerGirls It was an approximation. Its decade anniversary was last year.
@2secretgamergirls805 now 20+ years 😮 gosh
The incomparable Adele Dazeem!
Glom Gazingo approves
Idina Menzel is one of the very best - talent beyond belief. Thanks so much for sharing this performance with us.
This song fits her like a glove!
And I though that she can't sing anything better than LET IT GO. But this is so equal in performance.
***** WOW! Easy there. I'm just a new fan, well I can't be called a fan just yet, but you know what I mean.
***** He was saying that he didn't before think that she can sing anything better than she sang "Let It Go" (as it was amazing), but this is an equal in his eyes, Calm down, bro.
Chris Sherrard It's okay, I didn't get angry, and thanks for explaining.
No problem. ^_^
Welcome to the wonder that is Idina Menzel * u *
Who here had not heard of Wicked or Idina Menzel until after Frozen came out in theaters?
She was also in Enchanted :)
Jealous of people who were able to witness idina doing WICKED
I know how you feel. I already was in love with the music before I saw the show. Thanks to Idina. When I finally saw Wicked, it was Eden Espinosa
I know right
So beautiful, brought tears to my eyes. Reading the books atm
The book is fantastic, if you like, please do yourself a favor and read the next three, you'll love them especially "Out of Oz"
Love the medley of all the songs together, it works well! and she like zooms into that lift! that took her like two seconds, literally! jeez!
2:23 oh, shit. The police. Run!!!!
2:43
that wasn't Idina Menzel singing in Oscars. it was Adele Dazim.
The ghost never bother me anyway.
Rachel Tucker is also AMAZING singing this. She sang it on the tv show Dancing On Ice. She plays the lead in Wicked in London's west-end.
speechless.....she is completely pheonmenally unbelieveable. i get goosebumps everytime i here her sing. omggg
0:22 March of the Witch Hunters
0:47 Defying Gravity (verse and chorus 1)
1:33 Defying Gravity (verse and chorus 2)
2:16 The Wizard and I
2:39 Defying Gravity (post bridge)
2:48 Defying Gravity (bridge 2 and final chorus)
Also see Maureen from RENT.
I wish they made a movie of Wicked with Idina Menzel still the lead
sammie becerra this is funny because that really isnt whats happening now
@@myadagdorj5214 nope…
I’m still hyped for the real movie
i love the emotion in her voice, it is so believeable (;
She is so perfect
There could be several reasons (listed in order of decreasing importance) why this performance sounds "better" than Let It Go. First, the tone of the song depends a lot on the music director and the soundtrack in the background. The singer could be much better than the song shows and a good director can make a bad singer sound better than he/she is.
Second, Menzel is quite a bit older in Frozen's Let It Go than she was in Wicked. Third, she also developed asthma as a result of the years of singing Wicked songs so that could have changed the pitch of her voice.
Who's here holding space
Is it bad that only imagined Elsa singing this song the whole time? Lol
animelover509 Ohhh Shaddup
When she sings “you can’t pull me down” 😂 I started singing something else
This musical is gonna be famous some day
um what
so many chills during this song.
Defining Gravity reminds me of Let it go, and not just because of the actress
What a boring audience. They just witnessed one of the best musical numbers in broadway history and they applaud like they just saw a dog do trick for a bone.
i got chills on those last notes that she belted.
Idina Menzel is possibly the greatest singer in the world
Wow Think this is the best I have ever heard her sing that was perfect!!!
MAD MUNCHKIN ANYONE?!?!?!
Hi all you haters out there! You need to keep your opinions to yourself and shut up! Thank you have a nice day!
Love,
Someone who thinks, if you're not going to say something nice don't say anything at all
BOOM! I'm out!
I can´t believe Idina has haters :(
Dfan9314 omfg. how can anyone HATE idina menzel?! she's amazing! she's my idol! I look up to her as a singer! Who the HELL hates Idina Menzel?! Dear God..
Willemijn Verkaik still the best for me.
its amazing that there are so many people who are this talented
IDINA MENZEL IS FREAKING AMAZING!! EVERY CHARACTER SHE PLAYS SHE NAILS IT!
Sorry but for me this performance was pitchy at times, and Idina's voice sounded pretty strained - especially at the end. Of course this isn't an easy song to sing... far from it. But when you watch someone like - oh, i don't know - Willemijn Verkaik sing it, you notice how much more effortless and pleasant to the ear the vocal is. I don't expect the die-hard Idina fans to agree with me, as of course she can do no wrong in their eyes. But musically, this was a good vocal - not great.
Exactly! Willemijn's version is fantastic. I wish Idina would work on her technique so she wouldn't have to shout the notes.
I'm not a die-hard Idina menzel fan but you gotta give her a bit of respect she was the original Elphaba and she didn't have anyone to practice off of. The other elphabas could look at idinas performance but she had nobody
Tristen DiAngelo Oh, I respect her for that, to be sure. But I can still see her objectively enough to be able to say that she needs to fix her technique... she would gain consistency, have a better tone, and be able to maintain her vocal health much better if she'd work on a healthier vocal placement, resonance, and breath control; those are skills that she should have apart from whether she's creating a role or not.
I agree. Thanks for your input
Yes there have been some Elphabas that were as good or better than Idina in this performance. I will completely agree with you. However all you music experts who are hating her singing are missing a very key fact about this particular performance. Idina had a horrible asthma attack not long before she stepped out to sing. I happen to think her singing is brilliant considering the asthma attack. It was a miracle she was even able to sing, never mind hitting the notes in this particular song.
Elsa changed a bit.....
Jemma rix is so much better
Idina Menzel is going to put on an allstar performance this coming Saturday at Lincoln Center. I can not wait to be there.
i saw this when it came to st. louis. it blew me away. esp this song. listen to this song while high its so mindblowing
Willemijn Verkaik is way better as Elphaba, I think.
+Missy Doe Completely agree - Idina was actually pretty pitchy in this performance... Sure, it's far from an easy song to sing - but Willemijn makes it look so. Idina's voice sounded strained in this performance, especially towards the end.
+Missy Doe never !!!!
Oh my god, she can never manage to hit the right note. Did you here how horrible the "so if you care to find me" was... everybody's like "she's the broadway queen" "she's the best nothing beats her"... There's a woman called Willemjin Verkaik who sings Wicked in three different languages and is a waaaayyyyy better singer for this part than Idina Menzel. I'm not talking about the gasps and the faces you make, but a singer who can hit higher notes with accuracy not like this crappy mess.
Mitch Grassi sang it better.. I think..
Here I am in 2024 sent here by the new Wicked movie trailer! Defying Gravity is one of my all time favorite Act One finales! Make us all proud Cynthia. While we are at it, I don’t blame Idina for how vocally demanding singing these lyrics are. But she can still slay a tune!
Every time I even think about this song or her voice I get massive goosebumps. Such a beautiful singer. Such a beautiful song.
I actually teared up... Great performance. I wish I could see the show live
Idina rocks this song and everything else that she sings!!
Wow.. Idina, You made me cry. I love you..
I have seen Wicked on Broadway and listened to videos of the Glee kids singing this song live. Both versions are incredible, just for the fact that all the singers involved are fantastic. I don't think people understand how ridiculously hard it is to hit some of those pitches. Congratz to Glee kids for doing so brilliantly on such a hard song.
i love this song! Idina is sooooo amazing
I just cannot love her more. Idina is my hero.