Hamilton

DECENT 9. my mom’s really into all things art, and i can tell that she tried really hard to expose me to it from a very young age — one such example is how she would take me to musicals whenever we would visit new york. i can’t say that my love for musicals (or art, in general) came overnight, but man, Hamilton was a turning point. i think i first heard “my shot” on youtube sometime in 2018, and i quickly fell in love with this musical. by the time i was begging my mom to take me to hamilton the next time we were in new york, it’d been two years and a couple dozen relistens of the album. i knew most of the lyrics going into the show, and i goddamn loved it. this filmed version of Hamilton has the viewing advantage of featuring the original cast, something which i didn’t get to experience in 2020. oh, and on this viewing, i caught on to the nuance in the musical’s commentary on LEGACY. even when i FIRST listened to the entire tracklist, i immediately RESONATED with aaron burr, for better or for worse. the musical goes on to criticize how burr’s inability to stand his ground (in a fear of miserably failing), noting how people who CHASE TRENDS will NEVER build a legacy. god, i spent so much of my childhood since GLORIFYING legacy. but i didn’t realize how this musical ALSO criticizes alexander hamilton, who’s obsession with legacy led to an adulterous entanglement, a ruined political career, and his eventual death. just, do what you want without hurting those you care about. sure, greatness after death is great, but not much matters more than the people who make your life enjoyable while you’re still alive. but yeah, i love this musical, i know most of the lyrics, and here are my top five songs from Hamilton: (1) the room where it happens, (2) history has its eyes on you, (3) my shot, (4) washington on your side, (5) satisfied.