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Hamilton (Musical) Lyrics

Hamilton Lyrics

  1. Act 1
  2. Alexander Hamilton
  3. Aaron Burr, Sir
  4. My Shot
  5. The Story of Tonight
  6. The Schuyler Sisters
  7. Farmer Refuted
  8. You'll Be Back
  9. Right Hand Man
  10. A Winter's Ball
  11. Helpless
  12. Satisfied
  13. The Story of Tonight (Reprise)
  14. Wait For It
  15. Stay Alive
  16. Ten Duel Commandments
  17. Meet Me Inside
  18. That Would Be Enough
  19. Guns and Ships
  20. History Has Its Eye on You
  21. Yorktown
  22. What Comes Next?
  23. Dear Theodosia
  24. Non-Stop
  25. Act 2
  26. What'd I Miss
  27. Cabinet Battle #1
  28. Take a Break
  29. Say No to This
  30. The Room Where It Happens
  31. Schuyler Defeated
  32. Cabinet Battle #2
  33. Washington on Your Side
  34. One Last Time
  35. I Know Him
  36. The Adams Administration
  37. We Know
  38. Hurricane
  39. The Reynolds Pamphlet
  40. Burn
  41. Blow Us All Away
  42. Stay Alive (Reprise)
  43. It's Quiet Uptown
  44. The Election of 1800
  45. The Obedient Servant
  46. Best of Wives and Best of Women
  47. The World Was Wide Enough
  48. Finale (Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story)

Hamilton Musical Description

The run of the play took place in early 2015 and was met with great success. The off-Broadway debut at The Public Theater officially opened in February 2015. Following this, the Hamilton musical made its Broadway debut with previews starting in July 2015, culminating in an official opening in August of the same year. The Richard Rodgers Theatre was chosen deliberately, as it was the venue where Lin-Manuel Miranda first gained recognition in 2008 with his musical "In the Heights." Even before its official opening, tickets sold out rapidly, leading to a preliminary box office collection of USD 30 million.

Since its Broadway debut, "Hamilton" has garnered numerous accolades, including 11 Tony Awards out of 16 nominations and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2016. The musical's global impact is evident through multiple productions worldwide and a critically acclaimed film version released on Disney+ in 2020. Recently, the original cast reunited for a special performance benefiting various social causes, receiving praise from fans and critics alike.

The production has continued to thrive, with current performances at the Richard Rodgers Theatre featuring a talented cast that includes Miguel Cervantes as Alexander Hamilton and Jared Dixon as Aaron Burr. As of December 2023, "Hamilton" remains a significant part of Broadway's landscape, showcasing its ability to adapt and maintain audience interest through dynamic performances and innovative casting choices.

In December 2023, a notable performance featured an unexpected role swap due to illness among cast members, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of live theatre. This incident highlighted the importance of understudies and swings in maintaining the show's continuity[1].

The musical's influence extends beyond entertainment; it has inspired educational programs and discussions about American history and contemporary issues. Javier Muñoz, who previously played Miranda's alternate, now plays Alexander Hamilton full-time.

Ticket prices for "Hamilton" vary significantly, ranging from $500 to $2000. The demand remains high, with online lotteries often overwhelmed by applications. The show continues to sell out quickly, reflecting its enduring popularity and cultural significance.

Additionally, "Hamilton" is currently touring various locations across North America, with performances scheduled through early 2025.
Release date: 2015

The Origins of Hamilton Lyrics.

Hamilton - The Musical, Broadway show on stage. Lyrics for the opening song
Hamilton - The Musical.

The Birth of Hamilton’s Unconventional Sound.

The idea for Hamilton wasn’t born in a writing room—it sparked in an airport. Lin-Manuel Miranda picked up Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton during a vacation in 2008. As he read, he didn’t see powdered wigs or period pieces. He heard beats. Rhythms. Rhymes. He saw Hamilton’s rise not as a dry history lesson, but as the story of a scrappy underdog—an immigrant outsider—with a lyrical fire. Hip-hop was the only language powerful enough to tell it. The lyrics of "Hamilton" didn’t emerge from tradition. They exploded from inspiration. Lin-Manuel Miranda discovered the story while reading Ron Chernow’s Hamilton biography. But instead of dry historical facts, he heard rhythm. He imagined Alexander Hamilton's relentless ambition as a lyrical engine. That was the genesis of the Hamilton lyrics—a fusion of hip-hop velocity and Broadway storytelling.

Why the Lyrics Needed to Be Hip-Hop.

Hamilton’s life moved fast. So did the lyrics. Miranda believed hip-hop was the only form with enough verbal speed and complexity to capture it. The Hamilton lyrics echo the urgency of the Revolution. They’re packed with internal rhymes, historical references, and layered meaning. The Cabinet battles? Structured like rap battles. The founding documents? Translated into rhyme. These lyrics don’t just describe history—they perform it.

What Makes Hamilton Lyrics Unique.

Unlike traditional musicals, Hamilton uses lyrics as architecture. There is almost no spoken word. Every emotion, every plot twist, and political maneuver — delivered through lyrical form. From “My Shot” to “Satisfied”, the lyrics serve as both character study and narrative propulsion. The use of recurring motifs—like "not throwing away my shot" — binds the story together musically and thematically.

Craft and Style of the Lyrics.

The Hamilton lyrics shift styles to match characters. Burr’s verses are measured and smooth. Hamilton’s are explosive, breathless. Angelica’s are clever and fast-paced. Jefferson swaggers. Washington mentors. The diversity of voices gives the lyrics dimension. No two characters rap the same way. And that’s deliberate. It’s character development through lyrical texture.

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