This is a little different to my usual reviews, however, as Hamilton arrived on Disney Plus (and I’ve now watched it multiple times) I can’t get the soundtrack out of my head. Besides, I am still working my way through the next YA fantasy series I will next review.

Like many, I have been awaiting the release of Hamilton for months. It has been one of the only things to look forward to in lockdown for me. I have not been lucky enough to see it in London yet, so this was my first time experiencing the show. It blew me away. Having listened to the soundtrack and watched clips for years, some of my opinions of the songs changed while watching them as they were intended. So, I thought it would be interesting to rank my favourite songs here.

10. The Story of Tonight – Reprise

I love repeated melodies within a musical, which is one of the reasons I love this whole soundtrack. This is the reason why reprises tend to be my favourites. What I especially love about this reprise is that it’s funny. The five main characters in this song have great comedic timing. Them all being drunk is hilarious. “You are the worst Burr.” It gets me every time.

9. It’s Quiet Uptown

The simplicity of this song highlights its emotional significance. That’s a common theme in Hamilton. The most emotive songs seem all the gentler in comparison to the loud rap numbers. The way Angelica begins this number gives me chills. The repetition of the word ‘unimaginable’ is so apt, because to most this situation is exactly that. It’s clever because it resonates with everyone. “Can you imagine?” Lin tells the audience to imagine this scenario, which heightens the emotional weight of the number. Having Eliza forgive him at the end too adds another layer of relief almost in this darker part of the story.

8. Farmer Refuted

Another comedic song littered with historical references. The counter-rap (is that a thing?) is so great. I was just blown away by how difficult it must be to perform this, with the two lines opposing each other with different timings. With a bit of choreography thrown in as well, this song is just so impressive to watch, in my opinion anyway. “Don’t modulate the key then not debate with me.” I just really love this line. I also love how this number leads into the King’s introduction.  

7. The Room Where It Happens

A turning point for Burr. I’ll be honest here I was never the biggest fan of this song before watching the musical, but I was in awe of the performance when watching it for the first time. Leslie Odom Jr. kills this song! The belt at the end, the jazzy vocals. It’s his “villain” song. I love the ensemble in this number. The song, as a whole, does a great job of pointing out the issue with historical record and how some things are simply accepted despite the lack of witness. Then the song switches to a more personal view to Burr and his wish to get into the room. “You don’t get a win unless you play in the game.” This song does such a good job of displaying the opposing forces that are Burr and Hamilton. You see Burr’s switch after this with his emphasis on ‘I’, instead of singing about Alexander. (Which he does so often.)

6. Cabinet Battle #1

Who doesn’t love a rap battle? I love watching Daveed Diggs going against Lin. The way Lin uses words is outstanding and I think the Cabinet battles highlight his abilities. It’s a great way to put historical politics into the musical in an inventive way, as well as pushing the story along. “When Britain taxed our tea, we got frisky. Imagine what gon’ happen when you try to tax our whiskey.” It’s a great mixture of typical rap battles with the legal jargon that would be used in real cabinet meetings. These opposing battles between Hamilton and Jefferson are also used to heighten the punch the audience feels along with Burr when Hamilton takes Jefferson’s side later.

5. Your Obedient Servant

The tension at the beginning of this song foreshadowing what’s about to happen, using strings in the background to crescendo into the song. I love how passive aggressive this song is. The music switches from quite dark and minor in the main parts of the letter, to very light and major when they sarcastically say: “I have the honour to be, your obedient servant.” So clever. Shows the fake-ness/unauthenticity of the sign off. It is also the last song with any lightness in it, as the three that follow it are heavily emotional.

4. History Has Its Eyes on You

Man, I wish this song was longer. Christopher Jackson’s voice is so smooth and velvety in this song. One of the reasons I love this song is the lyrics portray the pressure of what it must mean to hold a position of influence. No matter what that position is. It fits in well with the Hamilton’s theme of legacy. “Even now I lie awake, knowing history has its eyes on me.” The idea that choices and decisions you make have repercussions and will go some way in what people will remember you as. This song helps illustrate what Washington meant to Hamilton and his influence on him.  

3. Satisfied

I really liked this song before I saw the musical but watching it had me stunned. It is one of the pieces that blow me away every single time. The whole set with the revolve and the lights moving in a way that creates this turning back effect. It is just visually a masterpiece. The playback of some of the choreography. The small details in the background. It is one of those numbers that you could watch on repeat and notice something new each time. Renee absolutely kills the performance. I love the way we get to see Helpless from a different perspective. It allows character development for both characters. It also plays into the theme of time running throughout the musical, as it turns it back.

2. Non-Stop

Again, I love this song for the portrayal of the two main protagonists and them trying to understand one another. You see the parallels in that they are both studying law next to one another, but Alexander always pulls ahead and that frustration from Burr is matched with Hamilton’s frustration to the other as well: “I don’t understand how you stand to the side.” The way they use the revolve to move Angelica around as she leaves and Eliza into centre stage, genius! Like ‘Satisfied’ there are so many small details in this one. I feel Burr’s annoyance and awe and confusion as to how Hamilton wrote 51 essays in 6 months. As a writer I almost feel personally attacked by: “How do you write like you need it to survive?” The countermelodies!!! This song builds for so long and the pay off does not disappoint. The use of the stairs to carry Washington across the stage as he belts his motif is great. All the main characters and their songs overlapping in this Act One finale, I can only imagine the chills you’d experience seeing this live.

1. Wait for It.

From the title to the gentler melody, everything about this song epitomises the difference between Hamilton and Burr. Burr is patient, Hamilton is not. This is Burr’s theme that is repeated. We see it crop up in Non-Stop. We get to learn more about Burr with the lyrics. Without this song, The Room Where It Happens would not be so significant. It provides the beginning of Burr’s development and his core morals that stick with him, despite changing political sides later. “I’m not falling behind or running late. I’m not standing still. I’m lying in wait.” I feel as though many people relate to this. “I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable, I am an original.” Such motivational lyrics. It is this song, in my opinion, that solidifies Burr’s anti-hero status, as opposed to villain. Aside from the wonderful characterisation this provides, it’s just a really great song.

As I’m sure you can tell from my reviews, I am no music expert, this list is purely based on which songs I think are the best.

Let me know what your favourites are!

Remember, this is just my humble opinion!