Hamilton: Songs 6-10

Ready for more Hamilton?  (In case you’re wondering, the answer is, “Oh my, yes.”)  Let’s keep working our way through Act I.

“Farmer Refuted” – Probably the furthest-outlying song in the score, and with good reason.  This dainty, harpsichordy tune is sung by Samuel Seabury, a big-time Loyalist trying to calm the rebellious colonists.  I love it when Hamilton jumps in with his rapped rebuttal – the layered genres clash in such an interesting way.

Best line:  “Don’t modulate the key then not debate with me!”

“You’ll Be Back” – Oh, goodness gracious, this song is catchy.  And darkly hilarious.  And awesome.  So, King George III essentially plays the part of the huffy ex-boyfriend in this post-breakup song sung to the American colonies.  The lyrics are demented, and the melody makes me feel like I should be jauntily crossing Abbey Road.

Best line:  “Oceans rise, / Empires fall, / We have seen each other through it all, / And when push / Comes to shove, / I will send a fully armed battalion / To remind you of my love!”

“Right Hand Man” – One of the first songs in the show to really dramatize the events of the war, presenting history melodically and with an amazing beat.  It’s also a terrific introduction to Washington.  I like how, while so many of the characters make frequent use of hip hop lingo, Washington’s language tends to be more elevated, with a real ring of history behind it (I think he uses actual quotes more than any other character.)  The quasi-father-son relationship he develops with Hamilton is immediately evident and resonates strongly.

Best line:  “Dying is easy, young man.  Living is harder.”

“A Winter’s Ball” – Really just a lead-in to the next number, but it’s still fun.  Burr going on about luscious 18^th-century ladies is a good reminder that, while language and socially-accepted behaviors have changed, people’s basic wiring hasn’t. 

Best line:  “Ladies! / They delighted and distracted him. / Martha Washington named her feral tomcat after him.”

“Helpless” – Eliza’s first meeting with Hamilton.  It’s a fun, poppy love song, showing how schoolgirl head-over-heels this Schuyler sister is for the brilliant but penniless immigrant.  It’s completely gushy, but somehow, despite the fact that it’s literally called “Helpless,” it still feels a bit empowering for Eliza.  Maybe it’s because she goes after the man she wants, or maybe just because it’s about her feelings rather than treating her as a beautiful object for Hamilton to fall in love with.  I like Angelica’s “Satisfied” better, but this song gives it a strong lead-in.

Best line:  “Helpless! / Look into your eyes, and the sky’s the limit, / I’m helpless! / Down for the count, and I’m drownin’ in ‘em.”