'Defying Gravity' :: Pop version for Olympics, et. al. ?

[ckeaton]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 1:09pm

Another Wicked-related thread... soon we'll have to change the name of this website to Wicked World.com...

SO, remember how throughout the late 90's 'This is the Moment' had huge legs as a pop-crossover to be used at such events as sporting championships, award ceremonies, and flag raisings. Word has it that it was even used as a prom theme or two...

Ah ha! You know where I'm going already, intrepid reader...

Is there, or do you think there should be, a "pop"-orchestrated version of 'Defying Gravity' for said use? I was listening to the Wicked CD on the stair-master this afternoon, and I thought... damn, this is an inspiring song.

Of course, you'd need to strip out the plot points (the beginning, and some of the tempo changes), change a little wording such as... "And nobody in all of Oz, No Wizard that there is or was". But in the long run, you'd have a great 2-3 minute inspirational anthem, suitable for all kinds of events. And to Mr. Schwartz, that means cash, cash, cash.

I think it would be fantastic.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 1:13pm

I think it would be perfect for the Olympics.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 1:24pm

I agree it would work wonderfully for those who give great performances on the unevens and balance beam or the vaulting horse. But I am afraid it will be used as a joke when the less successful faulter and fall in a very obvious illustration of just how cruel gravity can be.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 1:40pm

But as a metaphor, it takes on a feeling of invincibility. The literal aspect of getting off the ground is one thing... but the thought that 'no one...will keep me down'... is universal.

[kombatkoala2]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 1:43pm

i don't think it should become a pop thing. people were worried that Rent would be turned into a pop thing, and i'm glad it didn't. while i love Wicked, and Defying Gravity, i think it would be better if it stayed the way it is.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 2:43pm

That's true. "No Day But Today" could have made it big in this overly-commercialized sense that I'm referring to. But I think I have heard it in the occasional non-rent setting. Though that could be wrong. I hear "show" music-rips in a lot of unrelated songs.

[ckeaton]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 3:42pm

They would have trouble finding that "synthesized vibra-slap sounding "space-age" vibrating sound" that happens alot near the end of DG...

[Shawk]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 4:51pm

I would have found it amusing if any of the atheletes performing to "This is the Moment" had ended their performance by jabbing themselves with a giant glowing syringe.

I could see "Defying Gravity" used in the Olympics in such a way (minus syringe), but then, as was mentioned, if someone crashed and burned while using this number, it could be tragically funny.

Updated On: 3/25/04 at 04:51 PM

[citylights]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 10:24pm

About showtunes gone pop: My friend said she heard a country-fied version of "Written in the Stars" from Aida at a restaurant somewhere. Anyone else hear this?

I'm seeing a blooper reel of gymnasts falling off the beam, skiers wiping out, etc. with Defying Gravity pop-version played over it...

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 10:32pm

so theyd have to change the last verse from

and noody in all of oz no wizard that there is or was

to something like

and nobody in all the world, there's no man or no boy or girl, who's ever gonna bring me down!!

kinda tacky, but someone came come up with something better

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 10:48pm

On that platform I will face the world, with my anthem played and flag unfurled, and nothing's gonna bring me down! (Olympics)

ehhh I am not very goood either

Updated On: 3/25/04 at 10:48 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 10:56pm

much better, but we seem to be on the right track

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 11:27pm

"and nobody in all the world, nobody in this whole wide world..."

or maybe i'll leave the lyric written to schwartz

[LiTtLeDaNcEr729]

Posted: 3/25/04 at 11:32pm

I'll keep my chin up way up high, this is the day I touch the sky, and nothings gonna bring me down.

Wow...cheesy...forget I made that up.

[tappedout]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 1:21am

"I'll break the record now's my time, that gold medal will have to be mine, cause today all my dreams come truuuuuuue

Ok I think this one wins the "cheesiest"

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 3:45am

"And oneday when I shed these frocks,
My face will be on a cereal box,
That no one will be able to keep down!!!!"

[alterego]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 7:21am

But just how good will it sound played on a bousuki? (sp?)

[ckeaton]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 8:27am

I thought about that line in the original post, began rewriting non-Ozian lyrics, then deleted the lines, because everything seemed to be too specific. I'm sure Mr. Schwartz could come up with something, if he did in fact decide to do that.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 8:46am

I remember thinking The closing song " I Have Been Changed for Good" Would be a great crossover song & even appropriate for the end of the Olympics.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 10:04am

"...soon we'll have to change the name of this website to Wicked World.com..."

Or maybe better, Rob could open a separate site? And one called "Anthony's Madonna World?"

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 10:23am

why not poplife.com, because everybody needes a thrill.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 10:51am

What about some Junior Vasquez' "WICKED" remixes?

And surely Madonna could record a cover version just in time for her tour!

Updated On: 3/26/04 at 10:51 AM

[WVRevy]

Posted: 3/26/04 at 11:23am

"About showtunes gone pop: My friend said she heard a country-fied version of "Written in the Stars" from Aida at a restaurant somewhere. Anyone else hear this?"

Wellllll....your friend's HALF right....The "pop" version of this was sung by LeeAnn Rimes (that's the half your friend got right) and Elton John (not exactly "country", ya' know :) )

Actually, the version isn't half bad (I'm told) for people that haven't heard the original. Unfortunately, I HAVE, and while i like both Sir Elton AND Ms. Rimes, I can't STAND hearing that version, since it just comes off all wrong...lol...Actually, it's kinda weird, now that I think about it...