When I first moved to New York and Hamilton debuted on Broadway, the tickets were decent compared to now. If there were anything I regret in my life, one would be to go see Hamilton while I still had the chance. Now the only way for me to ever possibly see it is if I sell all my books (I own like six bookshelves) or win the lottery. Honestly, I’m not willing to give up my books and the alternative is a very slim chance of happening. So to fill the void that Hamilton has left in my heart, I do so by reading Hamilton: The Revolution and listening to the soundtrack nonstop. If you happen to live under the same household as me you might even see me acting out some of the songs.

1. "Alexander Hamilton"

"Put a pencil to his temple, connected it to his brain
And he wrote his first refrain, a testament to his pain"

I love this because it shows from early on that Alexander Hamilton is excellent with the quill since he was a child. The way the Miranda wrote this line demonstrates a resemblance between him and Hamilton in the way modern day rappers would most likely write. The fact that James Madison, who is also an excellent writer, is the one to make such comment just seems fitting.

“Get your education, don’t forget from whence you came"

Every time I hear this line I start to think about how even though I may be advancing in my school, career, and even to an extent my personal life; I never forget my roots. Hamilton never seems to forget about where he came from although he kept succeeding in various ways throughout the play.

2. "Aaron Burr, Sir"

"He looked at me like I was stupid, I’m not stupid"

Honestly I just find this to be comical, that I always laugh as I sing along to this song. It's for the fact that I imagine Lin Manuel Miranda looking very offended and couldn’t believe that anyone would imagine him or specifically his character Hamilton to be “stupid.”

"If you stand for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for?"

I admire Hamilton for standing up to Burr even when he’s a no one with any background in politics or military at the beginning. He is just a young man with many ideas and stands up for what he believes in. Hamilton like many individuals during that time period was looking for a noble cause to make a difference even if it meant giving up his life.

3. "My Shot"

"Hey yo, I’m just like my country
I’m young, scrappy and hungry
And I’m not throwing away my shot"

Hamilton just seems to embody the “state of our nation” at the time because the US was young and keen on trying to prove itself. When both came to these realizations, both of them try to build what they believe were strong foundations and morals for the future. This can still be applied to many today especially our youth because we are “young, scrappy and hungry” to achieve whatever we want.

"When you’re living on your knees, you rise up"

This is one motto I would love to live by because of the message it conveys, to never give up no matter how low you may seem or feel.

"Are we a nation of states? What’s the state of our nation?"

I find this to be super clever and wonder how Miranda must have felt when he came up with such word play.

4. "The Story of Tonight"

"Raise a glass to freedom
Something they can never take away"

Many countries and people can try to take our freedom away but they can’t, for example England tried to take back America and failed in 1812. This still holds truth to this day since we raise our glasses especially on Fourth of July.

5. "The Schuyler Sisters"

"Angelica: Burr, you disgust me
Burr: Ah, so you’ve discussed me
I’m a trust fund, baby, you can trust me!"

Again, Miranda I praise you for this! It’s comical, smart, and straight to the point.

6. "Farmer Refuted"

"Chaos and bloodshed are not a solution
Don’t let them lead you astray"

This is a true statement that I think we try to implement throughout our lives but it seems easier to fail to violence as a solution. Especially in our modern day society, where everything is easy to access and where people are encouraged to express their ideals and emotions. But adding more violence to many situations can only add fuel to the fire and instead of being heard, it may diminish the points one is trying to make sometimes.

7. "You’ll Be Back"

"I will fight the fight and win the war
For your love, for your praise"

I find the structure of this song to be interesting since it is set up as a love ballad yet the words themselves are very harsh at some points. Its as if King George was reminding the colonies that he still holds domination over them but making it seem like he sincerely cares for them.

8. "Right Hand Man"

"Let down my guard and tell the people how I feel a second?"

George Washington is a well-respected Lieutenant and later on president, who still shows that although he may seem invincible he is still human. I think that sometimes we need a sort of reminder that not everyone is perfect and at times we need a breather from reality. But people are always acting defensive and don’t know how to express their ideals, emotions, or believes out of fear and that’s not healthy at some point.

9. "A Winter’s Ball"

"We’re reliable with the ladies!"

I love how this play has moments of comic relief especially when it can give them human characteristics that people can bond with. Mainly since the forefathers of our country are so ancient that we don’t think of them with human qualities but more like robots who got things done and emotionless.

10. "Helpless"

"If it takes fighting a war for us to meet, it will have been worth it"

I always imagine Eliza to be jumping around in the inside when she heard this. Like one of those magical and cliché moments where the popular guy finally notices someone outside of his circle.