Tahlia Scherer, Editor-in-Chief
@tscherercourant
Isabella Madrid, News Editor
@Imadridcourant
This year, the 11-time award winning musical Hamilton, turns 10. It’s hard to believe that it has been an entire decade since lyrical mastermind Lin-Manuel Miranda and his talented cast of Lesie Odom Jr., Jonathan Groff, Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diggs, and many others first hit the stage. From Miranda’s musical genius came an entire musical based upon the 2004 biography by Ron Chernow.
To celebrate its tenth anniversary, News Editor Isabella Madrid and I have ranked the best songs from the musical. As daily listeners to the soundtrack, we felt that we were qualified to rank the songs from this incredible album.
10. Washington on your Side
This song did its job highlighting main characters in the musical but there are simply nine better songs we can think of. As with any song from this musical, the composition and lyrics are incredible, but this song does not stand out to us as incredible enough to be any higher in the list.
9. Who Lives who Dies who Tells your Story
Makes us sob but the beat is too mellow (but I guess that’s the point). I usually count on Hamilton to bring my mood up and this song, while fantastic, brings it down.
8. The Room Where it Happens
This song makes us want to be in the room where it happens. Great beat and lyrics but again, there’s better. This song is a perfect representation of Lin Manuel Miranda’s genius, he created a whole song about an event that there is no information about what happened.
7. Nonstop
Incredible composition. Ending illuminates Hamilton’s crazy tendencies, narrated by his nemesis Burr. Encompasses the true emotions of rage, perfect song demonstrating Burr’s villain arc.
6. Dear Theodosia
This song is an emotional, beautiful ode to the children of Hamilton and Burr. Packed with metaphors and contrast between the two characters, this song provides a look into the more vulnerable parts of two enemies that may be more similar than they like to believe. Incredible. Artistic. Amazing.
5. Guns and Ships
The song that revolutionized (get it) rapping on broadway. Do you know how talented you have to be to rap with a French accent? Try to rap this song yourself, trust us, we have. Song that fits all occasions.
4. Wait for it
The claps and piano in the beginning are perfect. It causes you to feel a little for Burr. “I am the one thing in life I can control, I am inimitable I am an original”
3. Burn
Phillipa Soo, this is a masterpiece. A raw, emotional song that gives you a window into the perspective of Eliza Schyler. If you didn’t already feel for Eliza, you definitely do now.
2. Helpless
Perfectly encapsulates the story – the tensions and love triangles that drive the plot. The incredible vocals are the cherry on top.
1. Satisfied
Incredible. No notes. Just listen for yourself.
