Top 20 Best Hamilton Songs
Top 20 Hamilton Songs
We couldn’t be satisfied with just ten songs! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 20 Hamilton Songs.
For this list, we’ll be looking at the best songs from an incredible score, to celebrate the release of the entire musical on Disney+!
#20: “Alexander Hamilton”
The song that started it all. When Lin Manuel Miranda performed this song at the White House in front of President Obama, nobody had any idea of the kind of success “Hamilton” would have. Miranda began working on this song and a few others as part of a “Hamilton Mixtape” while reading through the biography of the Treasury Secretary by Ron Chernow, but eventually decided to make the whole thing a musical. This song is brilliant, setting up the tone of the show while recapping Hamilton’s heartbreaking yet incredible early life in only three minutes.
#19: “Aaron Burr, Sir”
While short, this song packs a lot of impact. It introduces our two main characters, Hamilton and Burr, while also introducing their philosophical differences. Aaron Burr is a man who is content to sit quietly and see where the cards fall before choosing a side. He values peace and comfort over conflict and justice. Hamilton, on the other hand, bursts onto the scene, immediately interested in getting involved in the revolution, and asks Burr the poignant question, “If you stand for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for?” This question will haunt Burr’s choices throughout the rest of the show.
#18: “It’s Quiet Uptown”
After the devastating loss of Philip, Alexander and Eliza grieve all that has happened to them. This song presents an entirely different Alexander Hamilton; normally so rowdy and energetic, here he is beaten and quiet. Perhaps the most beautiful moment is when Eliza finally grants Hamilton forgiveness by taking his hand. Watching Alexander weep softly, mourning all that he has lost, in large part due to his own actions, sends chills down your spine, but knowing there might be some hope for the couple keeps us watching to the end. It’s a tragic and gorgeous piece, and when Jefferson and Madison break up the waterworks after it is over, you’re thankful for the reprieve.
#17: “Dear Theodosia”
A ballad from two orphans singing to their respective children, promising to be there for them no matter what, and to make the world a better place. This song beautifully captures the sincerity in both Hamilton and Burr; they are both people trying to make the world a better place for their children, they just have different methods. This song becomes heartbreaking in retrospect, knowing Philip’s fate, and perfectly sets up Hamilton’s depression; when Philip is born, he becomes Hamilton’s soul. This song may not be as exciting as those that came before or after, but it’s just as important.
#16: “You’ll Be Back”
Did somebody say “British Invasion”? In a musical filled with hip hop and rap, King George III’s songs serve as a fun little break a la Beatles, which is an ingenious way of separating the feel of the revolutionaries and the empire they are trying to break away from. While George’s two reprises, “What Comes Next?” and “I Know Him” (xref) are both excellent as well, it is the original number that deserves a spot on this list, for delighting and surprising audiences with a fun change of pace. Miranda has said that the idea for the name came from a conversation with Hugh Laurie, where the British actor jokingly said that America “would be back”. I guess we have Hugh to thank for this wonderfully catchy tune!
#15: “The Election of 1800”
The culmination of the political careers of both Burr and Hamilton, this song is fun, educational, and incredibly important for both characters. Their opposing ideals come to a head here, even if they won’t physically duel it out until a bit later, as Hamilton makes the decision that he’d rather have someone with disagreeable principles than no principles at all. Beyond the story implications, this song also contains critical commentary on the state of politics, as we hear citizens debate which candidate seems more fun to have a beer with, rather than which has better policy or leadership abilities.
#14: “What’d I Miss?”
Thomas Jefferson’s introduction to the stage is a great time. The walking bass line in the background helps guide us on a fun journey to discover where exactly Jefferson was during this whole revolution. Daveed Diggs, the original actor, did a phenomenal job giving Jefferson a magnetic and electrifying personality, making him someone you couldn’t take your eyes off of. As introductions to characters go, this might just be the best in the whole damn musical, and it briefly sets up initial tensions between Hamilton and Jefferson as Hamilton cuts into his song, forcing his own melody in. Welcome home, Mr. Jefferson, indeed.
#13: “Say No To This”
Oh, Hamilton, why!? With an entire chorus screaming at him to say no, you’d think he’d listen. When the irresistible Maria Reynolds catches Hamilton alone, he enters into a torrid affair that will destroy his political career. This song has a seductive and sinister vibe, as we’re drawn along with Hamilton into the sex and the intrigue of the Reynolds. Apart from being a powerfully important song, it’s also just so groovy and catchy; how could you listen to this and not shout “Say no to this” along with Hamilton?
#12: “One Last Time”
Washington’s emotional farewell is a powerful ode to America's first president. George Washington’s decision to step down was important, as it set up the idea in American history that there should be a peaceful transition of power. The humility and confidence of the character to step down, leading to a precedent that all future presidents would follow, is masterfully performed, and as Washington and Hamilton read over the Farewell Address together, the audience is moved and forced to consider a world with just, fair leaders who try to do the right thing. Miranda asks us to consider a world in which political leaders do the right thing because it is right, and not because it is politically expedient, and that makes this an important song.
#11: “Non-Stop”
The epic Act 1 finale number is just incredible. The way it references so many other songs, themes, and moments, the way it overlaps different ideas over top of another, the way it culminates in a jaw-dropping finish where the entire cast sings different harmonies, the foreshadowing of the gunshot...it’s mesmerizing. Act 1 of Hamilton is an explosive, revolutionary ride, and thus it’s conclusion deserves an equally explosive number that is truly non-stop in every sense of that phrase. This song is so complex that you can discover something new about it with each listen.
#10: “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story”
This sombre reflection of Hamilton’s life, accomplishments and legacy perfectly sums up the core themes of the show, and explains what happens after Alexander passes. Hamilton’s legacy diminishes, though thanks to the efforts of Eliza, he, and others, are remembered. But the most touching part comes when Eliza announces what she’s proudest of; the first private orphanage in New York City. In honour of her love for Hamilton, the bastard orphan, she helps take care of hundreds of orphans. If that won’t get the tears flowing, nothing will.
#9: “Helpless”
This upbeat pop song shows a dramatized version of the events leading to Eliza and Alexander’s wedding, and gets the audience invested in their relationship immediately. Their joy and love for one another is infectious, and it shows the innocent side of Eliza; she’s found a wonderful boy, and now this boy is all hers. There is no hint of the emotional trauma and responsibility she will soon have to bear. Here, Eliza is helpless to his charms, to the love she feels for Hamilton. It serves as a wonderful contrast to the far less helpless Eliza we see later.
#8: “Burn”
Juxtaposed with the happy Eliza from before, we have this tragic song. After Hamilton’s betrayal and the shocking choice to publish the details of his affair, we have a moment to see how Eliza handles it all, something that was not really recorded in history. Heartbroken, Eliza removes herself from the historical narrative and Hamilton’s legacy, taking control away from Alexander and from others to use her in this political game that destroyed her life. This song is genuine, raw, and powerful, and it is astounding to see this all come from the normally polite Eliza. Her last words, directed to Hamilton, are especially chilling.
#7: “The Room Where It Happens”
Aaron Burr watches and waits throughout Hamilton’s meteoric rise to power, and this is the moment where he finally allows his envy and ambition to get the better of him. Burr laments that he has no say in any important matters of state, locked out of the “room where it happens”. He finally decides to take a page from Hamilton’s book and seize what he wants. Beyond the brilliant themes, the jazzy, show-stopper feel to it makes it one of the most fun numbers in the whole show as well. This song perfectly foreshadows that this is the turning point in which Burr and Hamilton will now be at odds, and the final “Click, boom” is telling of where this decision will lead Burr.
#6: “Guns and Ships”
Don’t lie; you’ve tried, and failed, to rap Lafayette’s verses as fast as he does it. It’s okay, we’ve all been there. This number is incredibly impressive, and Lafayette’s verses hold the record for the fastest Broadway rap; in the fastest parts, he is rapping 6.3 words per second! This number is great both for the high energy it injects into the show in the middle of some emotional moments, but is also notable for how it focuses on one of Hamilton’s friends, demonstrating that the revolution was not only fought by Americans, but the French allies like Lafayette, while also giving us some brief notes on the larger historical implications of the battles happening at this time.
#5: “Satisfied”
In a testament to “Hamilton’s” incredible staging and story, we rewind the clock after Helpless, to see the Schuyler sisters meeting Hamilton...but from Angelica’s perspective. Falling for Alexander’s incredible mind and realizing the two share a special connection, she nonetheless gives him up so that her sister will be happy. “Satisfied” is so brilliant because it shows us Angelica’s incredible intellect through her ability to rap at lightning-fast speeds, and also shows us the previous song but from a different perspective. All of a sudden, Hamilton’s marriage takes on a new meaning.
#4: “Wait For It”
Lin Manuel Miranda has said that he gave the best songs he’s ever written to Burr, and we can certainly understand that sentiment. “Wait For It” is a gripping reflection of who Burr is as a character, and the song's themes are so relatable for most people. The feeling that he is constantly waiting for his time to come, for his opportunity, while he watches people like Hamilton just go and take what they want, causes him to lament, but he does not change his mind. He believes that all that success and more will come, if he just waits for it. Beyond that, it is just a beautifully constructed song, weaving Burr’s leitmotif into a powerful melody.
#3: “The Schuyler Sisters”
This introduction to the two important Schuyler Sisters (and Peggy) is really fun and features some powerful female harmonies. Admiring the spirit of revolution in New York, Angelica and Eliza are excited for the future, and have a run in with Burr, who Angelica quickly rejects. Before the heartbreak, before the action and revolution, this is one of the last innocent songs in the show. This musical plays with a lot of pop, and nowhere does it do a better job than with this number. And hearing those girls work those harmonies...there is nothing better.
#2: “My Shot”
While we have seen Hamilton before this number, this song is the perfect introduction to him as a character. It is an explosive mantra that Alexander belts out, shouting his truth, his convictions, to the world around him, and daring anyone to stop him. While the song is a little ironic and foreshadows Hamilton eventually, and quite literally, throwing his shot away, this genius number is incredibly constructed; the rhyming, the triumphant beat, every single theme introduced here before it comes into play later...there are truly not enough words to describe how wonderful this song is. It took Miranda a whole year to write “My Shot”, and it shows.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“The Story of Tonight”
Raise a Glass to this Powerful and Introspective Number
“The Story of Tonight”
The Cast of Hamilton
“Cabinet Battle #1”
Politics Would Be Way More Fun if All Debates Were Like This
“Cabinet Battle #1”
Daveed Diggs and Lin Manuel Miranda
“Washington On Your Side”
It Must Be Nice To Have Such Incredible Lyrical Talent
“Washington On Your Side”
The Cast of Hamilton
“Stay Alive (Reprise)”
If You Didn’t Cry Here, What’s Your Secret?
“Stay Alive (Reprise)”
Lin Manuel Miranda & Philippa Soo
“The World Was Wide Enough”
Burr Doesn’t Wait For It; Hamilton Throws Away His Shot
“The World Was Wide Enough”
The Cast of Hamilton
#1: “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)”
Do you like action? This song has that. Do you like great rapping? It has it too. Do you like emotional and powerful moments tied with incredible staging and choreography? Coming off the heels of the beautiful “History Has Its Eyes On You” (xref), where Washington laments mistakes made and impresses upon Hamilton that he must remember he is doing this for future generations, Yorktown is the perfect song because it is everything great about Hamilton, condensed into one number. It is tightly written and fast-paced, introspective and explosive. This song gives everyone a moment to shine, and is a powerful way to end the story of the Revolution from Hamilton’s perspective. This song proves why this musical was able to turn the world upside down.
