In the Heights: Songs 21-23

My final In the Heights songs post.  There are many qualities that come to mind with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music – appealing melodies, intricate rhymes, sly references, fantastic melodic layering – but for me, one of the main ones has always been “heart.”  These last three songs from the show offer that in spades, pressed into the lyrics and folded into the melodies themselves.  Hamilton, I’m sure, will always be regarded as the phenom, but In the Heights holds my particular affection for introducing me to this stunning composer/lyricist.

“Champagne” – I love this song, a beautifully-sweet number for Usnavi and Vanessa to finally reckon with what’s between them.  The way they know and understand each other is fantastic, and I love that, as hilarious as Usnavi’s struggles against the champagne bottle are, Vanessa sees what’s really going on.

Best line:  “You get everyone addicted to / Your coffee and off you go.” – “Vanessa, I don’t know why / You’re mad at me.” – “I wish I was mad - / I’m just too late.”

“When the Sun Goes Down” – Nina and Benny’s final song together.  Like much of the last section of the show, it’s not so much an ending as a breath, the two preparing to go their separate ways but still planning to be together.  Stripped-down but effective, I particularly love the mixing of their two voices.

Best line:  “And I’ll think of you every night / At the same time-” – “When the sun goes down.”

“Finale” – Fantastic close to the show.  The cast blends the overlapping melodies beautifully, and Usnavi’s opening passage and triumphant capper are both excellent.  The entire “I’m home” sequence is really gorgeous, which, before encountering the show back in 2008, was something I’d never really imagined saying about a hip-hop song.

Best line:  “And if not me, who keeps our legacies?”