By: Aleah Sia and Kimberly Tanchay Yr 12
From our spontaneous sing alongs to failed attempts at rapping, it’s quite hard to imagine life before Hamilton took over our music library. Taking home an outstanding 11 Tony Awards, it took the title of 2015’s best rap album- beating famous rappers such as Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Based on the life of America’s founding fathers, Hamilton shines amongst other broadway production with it’s racially diverse cast and unique storytelling. The Hamilton cast album blessed our ears with 46 beautifully written songs by Lin Manuel Miranda that it was near impossible just to pick 10 songs for our favourites.
- Nonstop
In ‘Nonstop’ , Lin Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr. successfully portrayed Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, both intelligent men and exceptional lawyers, and how their personalities are completely different. It is no wonder they were both nominated for ‘Best Lead Actor in a Musical’ during the Tonys. This song successfully ended the first act in a flux, leaving us fans eager to watch/listen to act two. Filled with its catchy phrases , we could not have agreed more that this song deserved to be in first place.
2. The Schuyler Sisters
Amongst other songs in this album, this is probably the most fun to sing along with your friends. I cannot tell you how many times we scream out the lyrics to this song even during inappropriate moments. This head-bobbing catchy beat will get you shrieking “WORK!” faster than you’d realise. It has the perfect blend of Angelica’s killer rapping, Eliza’s beautiful voice and our spirit animal, Peggy.
3. Satisfied
Hands down, Renee Elise Goldsberry slayed in this song. Who would've thought Angelica Schuyler could rap like that?! Among the album, this song is the most overplayed, therefore, making us familiar with the rap lyrics. If anyone is under the situation where they are in love with someone they cannot be with, such as the Treasury Secretary of the United States, this song is worth listening to.
4. Alexander Hamilton
This song will forever have a special spot in our hearts as it was the first Hamilton song we’ve ever listened to that got us completely hooked. This is the perfect starting song to an amazing album that introduces the early life of Alexander Hamilton. With it’s great melody and amazing lyrics, you’ll completely forget you’re singing along to a song about one of America’s founding fathers.
5. My Shot
This song provides a perfect reminder to ‘Not throw our shot’ especially with all the opportunities we are surrounded with, today. Moreover, this songs perfectly sums up the thematic idea of the musical- Hamilton never giving up, Hamilton always craving for more , Hamilton never being satisfied. Listening to this song would just make you wish to be part of Hamilton’s squad.
6. Helpless
Cutest. Song. Ever. Can we all just take a moment to appreciate what a cinnamon roll Eliza is? Philippa Soo’s voice (original actress of Eliza) is a whole new level of angelic and this song really highlights that. Before all the heartbreak and sadness, this is one of the songs that will definitely brighten your mood. You can’t help but gush at Alexander sweet promise to Eliza that you really don’t blame the girl for falling head over heels for him.
7. Say No to This
FYI Maria Reynolds is played by the same actress as Peggy Schuyler. Who wouldve thought?! The racing music and intense conversation between Hamilton and Maria feels surreal that you may actually feel a hint of empathy towards Alexander and his mistakes. This song creates a perfect finale with Jasmine’s fantastic high-pitched note.
8. Yorktown (The World Turns Upside Down)
2 words, 6 syllables: HERCULES MULLIGAN! One of the most epic rap, in our opinion, throughout the whole album. Played with rock cellos and even a violin, this song covers America’s victory during the Revolutionary War against Britain. Educational and fun to rap? What more can you ask of a song?
9. Guns and Ships
Stand aside rappers and try to quickly rap about American history in a French accent. Round of applause for Daveed Diggs show-stopping performance as Marquis de Lafayette. After months of non-stop listening, we can’t even perfect the rap. This perfectly explains a key moment in the Revolutionary War, that lead America to win, in the coolest and most fun way possible.
10. Wait For It
If there’s anything you learn from this song is that Leslie Odom Jr can definitely sing. This song introduces the idea of the ‘villain’ of the story as a much more complicated, sympathetic character that we can all root for. One of my favourite lyrics from this album comes from this song. Burr is so right when he sings, “Death doesn’t discriminate, Between the sinners, And the saints, It takes and it takes and it takes.”
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