Hamilton: Songs 1-5

In contemplating a Top Five post for the music from Hamilton, I realized a simple truth:  it can’t be done.  No way can I single out just five songs from this score.  So, I’ve decided to do it like the various Buster Keaton shorts and write about them all, five at a time.  Chronological this time around, with one photo per post, since I know I won’t find 46 different shots from the show.  (Note:  I’m aware that part of this is the cast recording’s newness – it’s not like it’s impossible to narrow Hamilton down to five songs, but Sunday in the Park with George was a cake walk.  However, given the sheer number of songs in the show, and the awesomeness thereof, I think even picking five songs per act would be just unfair.  In short, I feel good about my decision.)

“Alexander Hamilton” – It’s weird to hear a different take on this song after listening to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s solo version 12,000 times in the last five years, but it’s still amazing.  The music builds nicely as each voice adds to Hamilton’s story, and the lyrics are insane.  Minute for minute, one of the most jam-packed, superbly-rhymed educational songs I’ve ever heard.

Best line:  “Then a hurricane came, and devastation reigned, / Our man saw his future drip, dripping down the drain, / Put a pencil to his temple, connected it to his brain, / And he wrote his first refrain, a testament to his pain.”

“Aaron Burr, Sir” – Introduces the recurring “Aaron Burr” motif, along with Burr and Hamilton themselves (and Hamilton’s fervor.)  Plus, we meet the fantastic trio of Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan – I just love the loose, freestyle atmosphere they bring to this number.

Best line:  “If you stand for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for?”

“My Shot” – In a way, this is Hamilton’s “I Want” song, although really, the whole things is kind of an “I Want” show; I love how he chases after everything and never stops striving.  It also introduces the “rise up” theme, and Hamilton’s thoughts on the coming revolution are great.

Best line:  “Hey, yo, I’m just like my country, / I’m young, scrappy, and hungry, / And I’m not throwing away my shot.”

“The Story of Tonight” – Less of a number, more a slight breather in the plot.  It cements the relationship between Hamilton, Laurens, Lafayette, and Mulligan.  The song fairly simple, but my affection for the characters and appreciation for their idealism elevates it.

Best line:  “Raise a glass to freedom, / Something they can never take away, / No matter what they tell you.”

“The Schuyler Sisters” – Our introduction to the Schuyler sisters, along with the “look around” theme.  Angelica’s wit is in full force, the harmonies are gorgeous, and I love that the revolution is shown from the sisters’ perspective as well, subverting the typical “historical men’s story.”

Best line:  “‘We hold these truths to be self-evident / That all men are created equal,’ / And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, / I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel!”