In March, I was supposed to see the Mirvish production of Hamilton in Toronto. However, due to COVID-19 that, unfortunately, did not happen. Thankfully, just a few short weeks later, Disney+ and Hamilton announced they would be airing a filmed version of the musical from its original run at the beginning of July and my social isolation was made much better for it.
The musical was originally released on Broadway in 2015 and became an instant success. I had such high expectations even before I got tickets because of all the hype, so I was kind of nervous to watch it. Yet, I can confidently say after watching it (multiple times) that it not only lived up to the hype, but exceeded any and all expectations I had. Hamilton is non-stop music from start to finish with a run of 2 hours and 40 minutes and 46 songs total. Every song is a hit, so ranking these songs was difficult, but just like Alexander Hamilton and Lin Manuel-Miranda, I figured I’d take my shot. So, here I present to you the ultimate ranking of my top 13 songs from Hamilton.
13. Burn
In Burn, Eliza sings about finding out about Hamilton’s affairs and erases herself from the narrative (long before Taylor Swift did). Phillipa Soo sings this song so beautifully you can’t help but feel her pain and heartbreak. It’s quite the contrast to the first time we met Eliza during Helpless and is one of the most emotionally impactful performances in the show.
12. Dear Theodosia
Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton are two very different men but one thing they have in common is their love, hopes, and dreams for their children. That is exemplified in Dear Theodosia. Leslie Odom Jr.’s Burr sings beautifully about fatherhood, and when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton joins him to harmonize it shows how connected these two really are despite them constantly butting heads.
11. You’ll Be Back
This is a Disney blog, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a song by Disney Frozen’s own Kristoff. Jonathan Groff does a wonderful job (spit and all) playing the ridiculously goofy King George III. This is his first appearance in the musical and it is so charming and different that you can’t help but smile. Groff doing the shoulder shake while singing “da da da” is just the cherry on top to a beautifully hilarious performance.
10. Guns & Ships
Daveed Diggs plays Lafayette in this number and he goes hard! It’s the fastest song in Hamilton and holds the record for the fastest Broadway rap with 6.3 words per second during its peak in the song. Guns & Ships just perfectly hypes the audience up and makes us all ready to see what happens on that battlefield. LAFAYETTE!
9. Non-Stop
This is the last song in Act One and is the best way to get the audience excited for Act Two. It’s a long song but covers a lot of time and does a great job emphasizing Hamilton’s insane work ethic, setting up what is sure to be a dramatic Act Two. The reprisals of Satisfied, Helpless, My Shot throughout the song is the perfect touch, and the “Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room” hook is really catchy too.
8. What’d I Miss
This is the opening song of Act Two and flawlessly introduces Diggs’ Thomas Jefferson. Diggs proves he’s can play Jefferson just as well as he was playing Lafayette in Act One. He actually won a Tony Award for his performance in Hamilton and it’s not hard to see why. He brings a fun, frenetic energy to Jefferson and this song is the ultimate example of that.
7. The Room Where It Happens
Another great song by Odom Jr. Only in Hamilton, can a song about making a backroom deal between Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton be so catchy and upbeat. This is not only such a fun and original jazz song, but it’s also a big turning point for Burr, as he decides to switch parties so he can be in ‘the room where it happens’.
6. Helpless
Helpless is a love song that I can imagine actually hearing on the radio. It covers Eliza and Hamilton’s romance and wedding. Its transition into Satisfied is one of the best transitions in the entire show. Soo shines as Eliza in this song, and I’m still not over the fact that she didn’t win a Tony for her role.
5. Yorktown
Yorktown tells the story of the Battle of Yorktown (hence the title). It has one of the best lines ever, “Immigrants we get the job done” (High five!). The song moves into a faster pace to coincide with the speed of the battle. Okieriete “Oak” Onaodowan steals this number as Hercules Mulligan, the American spy. His rap is SO GOOD.
4. My Shot
Possibly the most recognized song from Hamilton, as it is Hamilton’s song. No other song describes Hamilton and his desires as well as My Shot does. It also does a great job of setting up Hamilton’s relationships with Burr, Lafayette, Mulligan, and Laurens. It’s so iconic that it ends up recurring in so many other numbers throughout the show, ensuring that it’s stuck in our heads for weeks on end.
3. The Schuyler Sisters
The Schuyler Sisters introduces Angelica, Eliza and …..Peggy! This song celebrates the women of Hamilton. It’s fun and kicks the musical into high gear. Women’s contribution to history are often forgotten so a song that celebrates them is very much welcomed!
2. Wait for It
Leslie Odom Jr won a Tony award for his work in Hamilton and it’s not hard to see why. This song showcases his talent and range, and just so happens to be my favourite song of his. It perfectly describes his character and how he differs from Hamilton. It’s relatable too, the feeling of not measuring up to someone else or feeling like we need to compete with one another. The song humanizes Burr; you truly feel for him. It’s so powerful and gives me chills every time.
1. Satisfied
Lin-Manuel Miranda recently tweeted “Satisfied. I’ll never top it, as long as I live. From idea to Tommy and Andy and Lac’s work to Renee’s flawless execution. Will never top it.” And he’s not wrong. It is an amazing song, and in my humble opinion, the best song from Hamilton. Satisfied encapsulates the character of Angelica and her relationship with both her sister Eliza and Hamilton. The transition between Helpless and Satisfied is spectacular, and while Helpless is a song about love, Satisfied is a story of heartbreak and loss. The speed at which Renee Elise Goldsberry can rap is truly impressive and combine that with her vocals, her execution really is flawless. It’s no surprise she won a Tony Award.
What was your favourite musical number from Hamilton? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels. And make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
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I love this show so much i might die.
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Soo soo soo good!
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