Average review:  4.0/5.0 (28 reviews) There are good remixes on this CD single! Does Perfectbeat.com offer them as downloads? (D.N., 7/11/2007 see all my reviews >> )
I purchased and downloaded this CD on Yahoo! music as well as ordered a physical copy here at PB. It's getting club play (even here in Indiana) and the boys (and girls) are lovin' it. I'm at a bit of a lose though as to what one's criticism of these tracks has to do with one's dislike of the musical. If you must, think of it as having nothing to do with the musical and/or the book. I haven't seen the musical but I have read the book and listened to the musical's soundtrack both of which I love. Menzel's voice gives me shivers as it did in her performance in Rent (both the stage version and the film) and the remixes do justice to the original. (t.b., 6/21/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Whoever said TRACK OF THE YEAR so far was SO right!! Eddie Baez kills it on here! Absolutely amazing breakdowns and build ups in his mix! Peak peak peak hour stuff here! Buy this NOW!! (J.D., 6/14/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Those who don't like it probably can't afford to go see Wicked! Bitter! Just kidding guys!
I actually was addicted to the track on my second listen and think that Eddie Baez did it again with his progressive mix! It's my favorite! Way to go! I really think that the crowd would enjoy this track and am not sure why a DJ wouldn't play it. The production is great and her vocals are really good.
I don't think you can throw the Broadway card at this song because if I can remember correctly back in 2005 Seasons Of Love freakin rocked the dance floors! This will probably do the same and might even make a larger impact on America if Wicked is turned into a motion picture. (E.M., 6/14/2007 see all my reviews >> )
The Tracy Young mix went into my sets here in Hong Kong about a month and a half ago....OMG- what a reaction it gets! Especially when all the gay boys who work in the theatre shows at HK Disneyland are on the dancefloor. Just crazy! It gets continually requested and I gotta say it is definately THE TRACK OF THE YEAR (so far). It really is that good. No circuit clubber should be without this in their collection. Please buy it and show the labels your continued support for CD singles.
(E.S., 6/11/2007 see all my reviews >> )
If the mixes for "Defying Gravity" don't make this a wonderful dance song, what does? I love the original song and the mixes do what a good remixes are supposed to do; enhance the original. I think it would be interesting to see what those who are slamming this release think is good; if this isn't good, what is? Often, the first time I play something new, I rarely get a response. But the very first time I played this song, I was startled by the response. It wasn't "What is this song", it was "Where can you get this song for me! It's hot!" Why the response surprised me is that it came from people who aren't known for liking club-style music. That to me says it all! I already purchased 5 copies of this track. (D.R.B., 6/11/2007 see all my reviews >> )
I really wish that DJ's like MC would tell us where they spin when they make comments like "I can't think of any of my clubs or circuit parties that would let me get away with playing this." Because a whole lot of us would love to avoid places and parties like that. Nothing against him personally, but way too many club and party managers and promoters think that they know what their crowds like because a handful of people tell them that something was fabulous. And WAY too few DJ's feel able or willing to try different things, beyond the same old stuff they always play. That's why the gay club scene has been spiralling downhill for the past decade or so. In Boston, a handful of club managers decided what the crowds wanted to hear because they only listened to a handful of their drugged-out friends told them what they liked. Eventually, they destroyed the club scene here. Now a city which gets 150,000 people at our Gay Pride Parade every year can't even get over 500 people to ANY club on any night ever. That's just sad. But I remember when DJ's were willing to experiment and play different styles and see what the crowd responded to. Now you have situations like we're seeing here, where a DJ says that he won't play a song that will inevitably become hugely popular (it's already sold out on PB TWICE!) because he doesn't like it, and he doesn't think that the managers will let him play it. I guess the crowd doesn't matter in clubs any more. And that's why so many of us stay home. But I'm going to be travelling throughthe midwest in a few weeks. And I'd honestly LOVE to know which clubs and DJ's would refuse to play this track. It's doing to be hugely popular -- especially during Pride month. And I'd love to know exactly which places would refuse to play this before even seeing how their crowd reacts to it. Those are the types of places I prefer to avoid! Does anyone here remember the days when DJ's played songs that they didn't like if they thought that their crowds (the PAYING CUSTOMERS, in case you've forgotten) would like them? Call me old-fashioned, but I actually prefer to hear the songs that *I* enjoy when I go out, rather than the sings that the DJ thinks I should enjoy. Personally, I love this song and particularly Tracy's and Eddie's mixes. And I'd be willing to bet that it would do well in most gay clubs in the US. Hopefully, we'll get the chance to find out!
(D.H., 6/8/2007 see all my reviews >> )
I would have to agree with D.H. on this one. I think too many DJs and producers are typecasting their clientele as only liking one particular style (hard, peak-hour tribal with minimal vocals)of music. As DJs, we should always play for our crowd and choose music based on how the crowd reacts...after all, that's DJ 101. I have to wonder sometimes when I'm at a club or a party if some of us are just playing pre-planned sets, since the music doesn't seem to be catering to what the crowd is into. I'm a vocal fan myself and often have people come up to me and tell me how much they are enjoying the music and how they stopped going out because they didn't enjoy alot of the (hard) music that was being played at most of the clubs/parties. I heard Susan Morabito spin a couple weeks ago and she is a perfect example of someone who obviously plays for the crowd, instead of just playing the typical "circuit formula". And I must say, I really enjoyed it and felt great by the end of the party.
This is a crowd pleasing song that alot (maybe not everyone) of people want to hear, so why not give them what they want? DJ Mark Bisson (M.B., 6/8/2007 see all my reviews >> )
This is easily my summer anthem for 07'. The original broadway version is already such a great song, and these mixes only take it to a new level. Idina's vocals are pure magic and the production on these tracks are top notch. Highly recommended!!!!! (P.L., 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
In this age of downloading I am still one enjoys the physical product. Although I have already downloaded this, I am very excited that this is now on disc and will be getting it post haste! I love Idina's reworking of this song and think it translates pretty well to the dancefloor. "As someone told me lately, everyone deserves a chance to fly..." (d.b., 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
This is the best dance song in some time... and I agree with the previous writer.... dance music execs dont understand that they cant make money if the song is not available...fs (D. Ford, 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Funky Junction is the best mix. It's the only one where the music fits the lyrics.
DJ Billy Franks (DJ Billy Franks, 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Even if you believe that this song is too theatrical, you have to concede that it has the power to move the dance floor and pull at the heartstrings. Most DJs will probably choose to play Tracy Young's Flying Monkey Club Mix, but no one should overlook the equally good Eddie Baez Club Mix and the fantastic Junky Junction & Anthony Reale Club Mix. This track is what every dance song ought to be! Enjoy. (W.A., 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
This is easily gonna be THE big Pride song this year! It's (so far) one of the best songs of the year, too. And both Tracy and Eddie kicked this one out of the park with some of the best mixes of the year, as well.
I lean towards Tracy's mix, just because the melodies are SOOOOO beautiful and fun. But Eddie's mix is slightly more epic, especially after the pseudo-breakdown. But both of them are gonna be huge crowd pleasers all summer long. Unfortunately, none of the other mixes do much for me, but it's rare that I REALLY love two different mixes of the same song anyways.
It's an incredible song from an incredible musical. And what can I say about the gorgeous vocals that wasn't said by Idina's Tony win?
My only complaint is the record companies waiting so long to get this -- and other songs destined to be huge Pride songs -- out. Not all cities have their Pride parades and festivities on the last weekend of the month. Perfect Beat was able to get a handful of copies this week (and only to those smart enough to decode the hint in the e-mail), but it's already sold out. By the time, this becomes officially available, how many DJ's are going to be able to get this in time for their home-town festivities outside of NYC, LA, SanFran and Chicago? Boston's Pride festivities get 150,000+ people FIVE days from now, and this is still not regularly commercially available and is sold out at PB. (Luckily, Tracy will be here to spin it herself at one of the parties!) I mean, seriously. This is a song sung by the Wicked Witch of Oz, mixed by gay music icons Tracy Young and Eddie Baez, and they can't even get it out in time for half the Pride celebrations in the country -- which will be the signle best source of advertising this CD will ever get?!? Who the hell is in charge of marketing and CD releases at Warner??? And they wonder why so many DJ's and music fans feel forced to download music? If they weren't planning on making this available to and on PB for legal digital downloads, they really ought to think twice about it, or they're going to lose a LOT of sales to everyone who ends up getting this by other methods. But kudos to PB for getting at least some of these CD's in early. (D.H., 6/4/2007 see all my reviews >> )
My favorite mix goes to Eddie Baez who's tribal beats are circuit party ready !! Tracey Young's remix lacks punch but does the job for a middle of the DJ set. Hani's mid-tempo mix is my 3rd favorite. DJ Tsunami, Phoenix
(D.T., 7/11/2007 see all my reviews >> )
My favorite mix goes to Eddie Baez who's tribal beats are circuit party ready !! Tracey Young's remix lacks punch but does the job for a middle of the DJ set. Hani's mid-tempo mix is my 3rd favorite. (D.T., 7/11/2007 see all my reviews >> )
I had a knee-jerk reaction to this as well, hearing the Broadway hook a little too distinctly, and thinking this track was cheesey at best. But that was just after one or two listens. I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the Baez mix of "Augustus Gloop" from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so sue me :) But Idina's vocals and Tracy Young's mix just wouldn't leave me alone. I admit I gave in to its infectious optimism so I'm calling this a guilty pleasure with emphasis on pleasure. And yes, when I played it live recently the crowd went INSANE so we djs must TRUST our audience sometimes. --djmark marquis (M.M., 6/28/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Thanks to Perfect Beat for their work with Warner Brothers to make this single happen. One would think that with all the big name remix producers on this disc that every mix would rock. For me, the mixes by Funky Juntion & Anthony Reale and Hani(3:50 worth of intro though?) are the best. With the former being the most club friendly of all 5 dance mixes. Young's mix sounds very circuit-ready. (PAUL MCGEE, 6/25/2007 see all my reviews >> )
This has it all...new stuff, great vocals, melodic, great sound AND several mixes!! (M.E., 6/13/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Wow, way to go Perfect Beat for getting the idiot powers-that-be to release this on CD. Hopefully they'll start listening to what the fans really want. I have to admit I wasn't completely blown away when I first heard these remixes but they've grown on me and they're sure to be huge during Pride celebrations this year. The Tracy Young mix will no doubt be the most popular but I also really like the Junky Junction/Anthony Reale Club Mix. And WICKED fans (like myself) will also really love the non-dance Single Version. Any chance the single dance edits version will get a CD release as well? I'd gladly buy them both. (G.C., 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
 I read the book, and then shelled out a couple hundred bucks on tickets to the musical a couple years ago. I was thouroughly pissed. I CAN and WILL say that the song Defying Gravity was one of a few musical highlights from the show. Idina Menzel [best known as the original and film version of Maurine in RENT], has a pop rework of Defying Gravity that I am told is to appear on her 2nd studio, solo album due out this year. I actually think that as an anchor, it does poorly against this remix backdrop. Make no mistake, her vocals still shine through, so even that is not a total loss. The remixes range from amazing to forgetable. The Eddie Baez mix is a driving mix that is very controled. It is paced well and hammers the vocals home by allowing their natural drama and a well placed key change to shine. Tracy Young came in a very close 2nd best for me, as her mix has much more NRG factor, but drags too long with a 2 minute outro. This is one of those rare times when I feel a mixshow would have been greatly appreciated. Josh Harris did his thing on a 7 minute mix that sounds very simple for him. It's like he accidently sent in an unfinished early version, by mistake. Hani's mix is a dubbed out house mix. I think it suffers from more uninspired production. The vocals are good, but too few and far between for the mix to be of any use. Funky Junction did the best "house mix". It is slightly progressive, but still classic enough to work in more elitist house sets and with the less progressive over 35 set... Overall as a summer pride anthem, this is good. However, their are a lot of better records waiting to be dusted off (It's Not Right, But It's Okay - Whitney Houston; Absolutely Not - Deborah Cox; One Night Only - Beyonce; Let the Joy Rise - Abigail; Beautiful Life - Ace Of Base; Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone; Amber - Above the Clouds; Britney Spears - Stronger; and the list goes on). So, grab this for the vocal and producer talents. Request something that you actually care about, and remember fondly at the pride celebrations. I doubt you will be the only one who wants to hear it... I give this one 3 stars for having garunteed shelf life because of the Wicked association. (V.S., 6/15/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Nice song, and very good mix (particularly "Tracy Young's Flying Monkey Club Mix" and "Eddie Baez Club Mix" but TRACY YOUNG IS BETTER !!!)
But there is a problem, a big problem: the Idina Menzel's voice is too high-pitched ! like a girl 16 years old ! I don't like this ! a minimum of power vocal is nearly obligatory in a big circuit song...sorry Miss Menzel but the circuit club world is not for you... (Yecin, 6/8/2007 see all my reviews >> )
 Fun stuff - very unique vocals. Maybe a tad annoying. One for the circuit queens. The song itself - eh. So canned the Campbell soup twins could have written it - homogenized to the point of sterility - and that flies in the face of the song's message and intent. Defying gravity? This song doesn't aspire to defy, impact, or encroach upon anything - including the listener's ear. Idina, fortunately, has a lot of vocal mannerisms in her bag of tricks, and that almost makes this worthwhile. Almost. (mhk, 3/17/2008 see all my reviews >> )
I must be an idiot. I just dont think her vocals are that great for a club mix. Some songs should not be in clubs, I feel this is one of them. (G.H., 6/11/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Sorry Guys (and gals) I just don't like it. I've had the CD for about three and I've tried and tried to like it, and it just doesn't make a great dance track for me. The original track is so beautiful that I just don't like it remixed. It takes away from the tracks original power and intensity and the beauty of the lyrics. And it's funny, because friends have been asking me to remix this track ever since the play it stage. So I know people have wanted a dance version of this and Popular forever. But I have to stick with the original. Not to mention, I can't think of any of my clubs or circuit parties that would let me get away with playing this. It's just too Broadway. But anyway, if you like, go for it and have fun playing it. I won't be. But I reserve the right to change my mind if a mix comes along that I think enhances this track. (M.C., 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
Hey, I did musicals in HS, but this just isnt working for me on a dancefloor...it just seems like a downer to me for some reason, which is funny since the songs is supposed to be literally and figuratively UPLIFTING.....I want to like it, but I'm just not feelin it :( "I think I'll try defying SOBRIETY" lol =P (Joey Benitez, 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
 Wicked was one of the best books I ever read and everything since has been a disapointment. The Musical is pathetic and has nothing to do with the book and this group of remixes make even the musical seem good. (L.J., 6/14/2007 see all my reviews >> )
I'd buy it if it were any good...but it's not, so I wont. (j.w., 6/7/2007 see all my reviews >> )
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