The breakthrough Broadway musical, "Hamilton," displays the life and times Alexander Hamilton and colonial America through rap and hip-hop songs. Its success has been extraordinary, despite the skepticism and doubts. Since tickets are sold out until August (though there will be a new block of tickets on sale starting February 2), many people have turned to the soundtrack, which is available for free on Spotify. The top-ranking Billboard hit has quickly become many people's obsession...including mine.
One of the greatest things about the album is how quotable it is. Everyday things remind me of a lyric, a rhyme, a character, etc. In fact, in a different context, it sounds like Alexander Hamilton was just starting college (you know, instead of winning the Revolutionary War, becoming Treasury Secretary, and dueling with Vice President, Aaron Burr).
1. Alexander Hamilton
Even though in the musical this song is a summary of Hamilton's life up to his arrival in the colonies, it's actually his application essay to college. It lists all of his accomplishments, has great references (war buddies, employers), and proves that he's excited about beginning his next chapter.
"My name is Alexander Hamilton. And there's a million things I haven't done, but just you wait, just you wait."
2. Aaron Burr, Sir
Alex is meeting his roommate for the first time. He's trying way too hard to be friends with him and Burr gets creeped out.
"I've been looking for you."
"I'm getting nervous."
Alex goes out with his new friends for the first time. In their drunken stupor, they tell each other all the amazing things they plan to do after college and swear that they'll always remember "tonight" because it's where it all started.
"Raise a glass to the four of us, tomorrow there'll be more of us, telling the story of tonight."
4. Helpless
Alex gets his first college girlfriend, Eliza, who is completely head over heels for him. He writes her love notes and drops them off in her mail stop so she has something to look forward to.
"I look into his eyes and the sky's the limit. I'm helpless."
Alex and his friends are in the middle of midterms, fighting for their lives to survive exams, essays, and sleep deprivation.
"Stay alive...stay alive..."
Alex has had disciplinary problems at school (such as encouraging his friend John Laurens to fight a Charles Lee, the teacher's aid) so one of the university counselors, George, has to talk to with him.
"HAMILTON! Meet me inside..."
7. Non-Stop
Alex joins too many clubs on campus and his friends complain that he's always working and doesn't have time for them anymore. They're completely correct, but Alex just sees it as great success instead of avoiding his friends.
"He's just--non-stop!"
8. What'd I Miss
Alex goes back home for break and catches up with his friends from high school.
(The answer is a lot, Thomas -- you've missed a lot.)
"I traveled the wide, wide world and came back to this...So what did I miss?"
9. Say No to This
Alex is definitely overloaded with work right now, but his friends want to have fun. He tries so hard to say no and get to work, but ultimately he ends up hanging out with his friends instead.
"Lord, show me how to say no to this. I don't know how to say no to this."
For the beginning of the musical, Hamilton is about college age, so who knows? Maybe the double meaning was intended.
(Probably not, but it's nice to think my theory could be right.)
