Top 20 Best Hamilton Songs

see we never thought we'd do a top-20 where we come from some get half as many welcome to ms mojo and today we're counting down our picks for the top 20 Hamilton songs for this list we'll be looking at the best songs from an incredible score written by lin-manuel Miranda yes they're all the best we will never be satisfied number 20 Alexander Hamilton son of a and a Scotsman dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean by Providence impoverished and squalor grow up to be a Hugo and a scholar the song that started it all when lin-manuel Miranda performed the song at the white house in front of President Obama nobody had any idea of the kind of success Hamilton would have Miranda began working on this song and a few others as part of a Hamilton mixtape while reading through the biography of the Treasury secretary by Ron chernow but eventually decided to make the whole thing a musical this song is brilliant handily setting up the tone of the show introducing the central players while recapping Hamilton's heartbreaking yet incredible early life in under five minutes [Music] Mimi Alexander number 19 Aaron Burt sir [Applause] [Music] while short this song packs a lot of impact in it Hamilton's two main characters and their philosophical differences are properly introduced Aaron Burr is content to sit quietly and see where the cards fall before choosing aside valuing peace and comfort over conflict and justice talk less what smile more don't let them know what you're against or what you're for Alexander Hamilton on the other hand bursts onto the scene immediately interested in getting involved in the revolution and who will speak his mind to anyone who will listen and even those that won't we also meet key players John Lawrence Marquis de Lafayette and Hercules Mulligan having sized burr up Hamilton asks him if you stand for nothing Burr what will you fall for this poignant question will haunt Burst choices throughout the rest of the show number 18 it's quiet uptown [Music] even though we can't listen to the song without ugly crying it's hard to deny how beautiful it is after the devastating loss of their son Philip Alexander and his wife Eliza grieve all that has happened to them this song presents an entirely different Alexander Hamilton normally so rowdy and energetic here he is beaten and quiet as is myranda's genius Hamilton borrows a theme previously sung by Eliza and that would be enough to try to do the unimaginable perhaps the most beautiful moment is when Eliza finally grants Hamilton forgiveness by taking his hand [Music] watching Alexander weep softly mourning all that he is lost in large part due to his own actions sends chills down your spine but knowing there might be some hope for the couple keeps us watching to the end [Music] number 17 dear Theodosia Theodosia what to say to you as lin-manuel Miranda calls it dear Theodosia is the calm in the storm of the show Hamilton and burr two orphans sing this ballad to their respective children promising to be there for them no matter what and to make the world a better place this song beautifully captures the sincerity in both Hamilton and burr they are both trying to build a better world for their children they just have different methods [Music] the song becomes heartbreaking in retrospect knowing Philips fate and perfectly sets up Hamilton's depression when Philip is born he becomes Hamilton's soul [Music] number 16 you'll be back [Music] the price of my love's not a price that you're willing to pay did somebody say British Invasion in a musical filled with hip-hop and rap King George the third songs served as a fun little break ala Beatles which is an ingenious way of separating the feel of the revolutionaries and the Empire they're trying to break away from you'll be back soon you see while George's two reprises what comes next and I know him are both awesome Wow as well it's hard to top the original for how much it delights and surprises the audience with a fun change of pace fun fact Miranda said that the idea for the name came from a conversation with Hugh Laurie when he said he had an idea for a breakup letter from King George to the colonies Laurie's response was you'll be back [Music] [Applause] [Music] number fifteen the election of 1800 [Music] marking the culmination of the political careers of both Burr and Hamilton this song is fun educational and incredibly important for both characters beyond the story implications this song also contains critical commentary on the state of politics as we hear citizens debate which candidate seems more fun to have a beer with rather than which has better policy or leadership abilities he seemed so approachable like you could grab a beer with him there opposing ideals come to a head here even if they won't physically duel it out until a bit later except now they've swapped approaches burr is almost reckless in reaching his goal while Hamilton is the one keeping his thoughts to himself almost unreadable Jefferson has beliefs finally Hamilton makes the decision that he'd rather have someone with disagreeable principles than no principles at all opting to endorse Jefferson and sealing his fate with birth you know what we could change that you know why because I'm the president when you see Hamilton thank him for the endorsement number 14 what did I miss Thomas Jefferson's introduction to the stage and the start of act 2 is a great time [Music] the walking bass line in the background helps guide us on a fun journey to discover where exactly Jefferson was during this whole revolution Davi digs the original actor did a phenomenal job giving Jefferson a magnetic and electrifying personality making him someone you could not take your eyes off of his introductions to characters go this might just be the best in the whole damn musical and it briefly sets up initial tensions between Hamilton and Jefferson as Hamilton cuts into his song forcing his own melody in welcome home mr. Jefferson indeed [Music] [Applause] number thirteen say no to this nothing like summer in the city Hamilton why with an entire course screaming Adam to say no you'd think he'd listen when the irresistible Mariah Reynolds catches Hamilton alone he enters into a torrid affair that will destroy his political career and obviously his personal relationships wish I could say that was the last time I said that last time became a pastor this song has a seductive and sinister vibe as we're drawn along with Hamilton into the sex and intrigue of the Reynolds [Applause] [Music] apart from being a powerfully important song it's also just so groovy and catchy how could you listen to this and not shout say no to this along with Hamilton [Music] [Music] number twelve one last time [Music] [Music] Washington's emotional farewell is a powerful Oh to America's first president George Washington's decision to step down was important as it set up the idea in American history that there should be a peaceful transition of power the humility and confidence of the figure to step down begins a precedent that all future presidents would follow with varying degrees of grace its masterfully performed and Washington and Hamilton read over the farewell addressed together its lyrics pulled from the historical text [Music] one last time moves the audience and forces them to consider a world with just fair leaders who try to do the right thing and recognize when they didn't a recognition of their humanity [Applause] number eleven non-stop the epic first act finale number is just incredible how to account for his rise to the top act one of Hamilton is an explosive revolutionary ride and thus its conclusion deserves an equally explosive number that is truly non-stop in every sense of that phrase the way it references so many other songs themes and moments the way it overlaps different ideas over top of one another the way it culminates in a jaw-dropping finish where the entire cast sings different harmonies the foreshadowing of the gunshot it's mesmerizing [Music] [Applause] this song is so complex that you can discover something new about it with each lesson number 10 who lives who dies who tells your story [Music] when I was young tree to floor you have no control this somber reflection of Hamilton's life accomplishments and legacy perfectly sums up the core themes of the show and explains what happens after Alexander passes Hamilton's legacy diminishes though thanks to the efforts of Eliza he and others are remembered [Music] but the most touching part comes when Eliza announces what she's proudest of the first private orphanage in New York City in honor of her love for Hamilton the bastard orphan she helps take care of hundreds of orphans from her asking to be part of the narrative to taking agency to be removed from it Eliza has ended up its author number nine helpless [Music] this upbeat pop song shows a dramatized version of the events leading to Eliza and Alexander's wedding and gets the audience invested in their relationship immediately their joy and love for one another is infectious and it shows the innocent side of Eliza she's found a wonderful boy and now this boy is all hers [Applause] there's no hint of the emotional trauma and responsibility she will soon have to bear here Eliza is helpless to Alexander's charms did the love she feels for him it serves as a wonderful contrast to the different kind of helpless Eliza feels later [Music] [Applause] [Music] number eight burn the moment I [Music] juxtaposed with the happy Eliza from before we have this tragic song after Hamilton's betrayal and the shocking choice to publish the details of his affair we have a moment to see how Eliza handles at all something that wasn't really recorded in history [Music] you have heartbroken eliza removes herself from the historical narrative and Hamilton's legacy taking control away from Alexander and from others to use her in this political game that destroyed her life this song is genuine raw and powerful and it's astounding to see this all come from the normally polite Eliza her last words directed to Hamilton are especially and ironically chilling [Music] number seven the room where it happens mr. secretary mr. Burnes sir hey did you hear the news about good old general Mercer Aaron Burr watches and waits throughout Hamilton's meteoric rise to power and this is the moment where he finally allows his envy and ambition to get the better of him Birla meant that he has no say in any important matters of state locked out of the room where it happens beyond the brilliant themes the jazzy showstopper feel to it makes it one of the most fun numbers in the whole show this song perfectly foreshadows that this is the turning point in which Burr and Hamilton will now be at odds paradoxically because they've become more like each other [Music] the final click boom is telling of where this decision will lead [Music] number six guns and ships don't lie you've tried and failed to rap Lafayette's verses as fast as he does it it's okay we've all been there this number is incredibly impressive and Marquis de Lafayette versus hold the record for the fastest Broadway rap in the fastest parts he's rapping six point three words per second this number is great for several reasons within the context of Hamilton it injects high energy into the show in the middle of some emotional moment it's also notable for how it focuses on one of Hamilton's friends demonstrating that the Revolution was not only fought by Americans but by the French allies like Lafayette number five the Schuyler sisters rich folks love more than going downtown is limited with this introduction to the two important Schuyler sisters and Peggy is really fun and features some powerful female harmonies admiring the spirit of revolution in New York Angelica and Eliza are excited for the future and have a run in with Bert who Angelica quickly rejects [Music] [Music] before the heartbreak before the action and revolution before the sisters meet Hamilton even this is one of the last innocent songs in the show this musical plays with a lot of pop and nowhere does it do a better job than with this number Angelica in particular leads the chorus of ladies working to be included in the sequel [Music] number four wait for it loser keeping a bowl mother husband is away lin-manuel Miranda has said that he gave the best songs he's ever written to burr and we can certainly understand that sentiment wait for it is a gripping reflection of who burr is as a character and the songs themes are so relatable for most people the fact that he's constantly waiting for his time to come for his opportunity while he watches people like Hamilton just go and take what they want causes him to lament but he doesn't change his mind I'm often doesn't hesitate the exhibits no restraint it takes and he takes and he takes and he keeps waiting anyway he believes that all that success and more will come if he just waits for it beyond that it's just a beautifully constructed song weaving burrs light motif into a powerful melody [Music] [Music] number three satisfied [Applause] now everyone give it up for the mayor of honor Angelica sky in a testament to Hamilton's incredible staging and story we rewind the clock to see the Schuyler sisters meeting Hamilton but from Angelica's perspective [Applause] lin-manuel Miranda credits choreographer Andy Blanken Bueller with visually rewinding all the way back to even before helpless having the choreography literally done in Reverse falling for Alexander's incredible mind and realizing the two share a special connection Angelica nonetheless gives him up so that her sister will be happy [Music] satisfied is so brilliant because it shows us Angelica's incredible intellect through her ability to wrap at lightning-fast speeds but doesn't skimp when it comes to demanding emotional belts [Music] from this moment on Angelica joins the pantheon of unrequited love and musical theater and it hurts [Music] number two my shot we know you wanted this since number nineteen while we have seen Hamilton before this number this song is the perfect introduction to him as a character it's an explosive mantra that Alexander belts out shouting his truth his convictions to the world around him and daring anyone to stop him while the song is a little ironic and foreshadows Hamilton eventually and quite literally throwing his shot away this genius number is incredibly constructed the rhyming the triumphant beat every single theme introduced here before it comes into play later there are truly not enough words to describe how wonderful this song is [Music] it took Miranda a year to write my shot and it shows [Music] before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions the story of tonight raise a glass to this powerful and introspective number to the four of us tomorrow cabinet battle number one politics would be way more fun if all debates were like this civics lesson from a slave you don't keep ranting we know who's really doing the plants Washington on your side it must be nice to have such incredible lyrical talent stay alive represe you didn't cry here what's your secret [Music] the world was wide enough burr doesn't wait for it Hamilton throws away his shot I should I should have known was wide [Music] before we continue be sure to subscribe to our Channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos you have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them if you're on your phone make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications number one yorktown the world turned upside down [Music] Yorktown comes off the heels of the beautiful history has its eyes on you where Washington laments mistakes made and impresses upon Hamilton that he must remember he is doing this for future generations work town is the perfect song because it's everything great about Hamilton condensed into one number like action this song has that do you like great rapping it has to do you like emotional and powerful moments tied with incredible staging and choreography yeah it's got that too it's tightly written and fast paced introspective and explosive this song gives everyone a moment to shine and is a powerful way to end the story of the revolution from Hamilton's perspective this song proves why this musical was able to turn the world upside down do you agree with our picks check out this other recent clip for MS mojo and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos [Music]

Channel: MsMojo

Views: 1,147,940

Rating: 4.8802643 out of 5

Keywords: Hamilton Songs, Best Hamilton Songs, Hamilton Show Tunes, Best of Hamilton, Ranking Hamilton Songs, Hamilton Soundtrack, The World Turned Upside Down, My Shot, The Schuyler Sisters, Wait For It, Satisfied, Guns and Ships, The Room Where It Happens, Burn, Helpless, Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story, Musical, Hamilton, film, watchmojo, watch mojo, top 10, list, mojo, msmojo

Id: eLTDj9W_6f0

Length: 29min 27sec (1767 seconds)

Published: Thu Jul 09 2020