Top 10 Hamilton Lyrics

Look around, look around, how lucky we are to be alive at the same time as Lin-Manuel Miranda? Hamilton is the most talked about musical of 2015 and for good reason. The story follows Alexander Hamilton through his journey of becoming one of America’s greatest Founding Fathers. If you haven’t been able to score tickets to the show on Broadway or listen to the incredible soundtrack, here’s a sneak peek of what you’re missing out on.

1. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. And when I meet Thomas Jefferson… I’m ‘a compel him to include women in the sequel!” – The Schuyler Sisters

WERK! Angelica Schuyler was a confident, educated feminist who was extremely knowledgeable about the politics of the time.

2. “Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” – The World Was Wide Enough

All of Alexander’s efforts have been towards trying to make a name for himself, but in his duel with Burr he poetically realizes that he will never see his legacy while he is still alive.

3. “Everyone give it up for America’s favorite fighting Frenchman!” – Guns and Ships

LAFAYETTE! He goes from barely knowing English to having the fastest rap in the play. He also plays a huge part in the Revolutionary War.

4. “Death doesn’t discriminate between the sinners and the saints, it takes and it takes and it takes.” – Wait For It

If I could just have the entirety of Wait for It on this list I definitely would. It perfectly sums up Burr’s ideology of waiting for everything, compared to Hamilton who acts rationally.

5. “Why do you assume you’re the smartest in the room? Soon that attitude may be your doom!” – Non-Stop

This is the line sung by Burr at the end of Act I that foreshadows all of the craziness that happens during Act II. This song is also my top pick for the song that the cast should perform at the Tony’s. The beautiful ending incorporates some of the other songs from the first half.

6. “I’m erasing myself from the narrative. Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted when you broke her heart.” – Burn

After Alexander’s affair with Maria Reynolds becomes public, Eliza decides to burn all of her letters that she had from her husband to erase all evidence that may have redeemed him due to his eloquent writing style.

7. “There are moments that the words don’t reach, there is a grace too powerful to name. We push away what we can never understand, we push away the unimaginable.” – It’s Quiet Uptown

Eliza and Alexander have to deal with the death of their son, Phillip, as they come together for the first time after the affair went public. She forgives him and they deal with the loss together.

8. “A civics labor from a slaver. Hey neighbor, your debts are paid cuz you don’t pay for labor. ‘We plant seeds in the South. We create.’ Yeah keep ranting, we know who’s really doing the planting.” – Cabinet Battle #1

This is the ultimate burn of Thomas Jefferson by Hamilton. A clip of the rap battle was shown on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Lin had the cutest reaction. (Skip to 6:05)

9. “I wrote my way out, wrote everything down as far as I could see. I wrote my way out, I looked up and the town had its eyes on me.” – Hurricane

A hurricane destroyed his hometown of St. Croix and Hamilton wrote a poem so amazing that complete strangers paid to send him to America and get an education. Did I mention that he was only 17 at the time?!

10. “They say George Washington’s yielding his power and stepping away. Is that true? I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do.” – I Know Him

A very whiny King George III is still bitter about the loss of his colonies, but it makes for a catchy melody that is repeated thrice in the musical.

If you can’t afford the outrageous resale prices to see Hamilton live or can’t make it out to New York City to try your luck at the #Ham4Ham lottery, you can purchase the album here.