The Room Were It Happens is genius with the sneaking that progression in there because Burr is now TRULY adopting Hamilton's take-all-leave-all attitude.
*Gets to the "The World Was Wide Enough" part of the video.* "We hear the final instance of the 'My Shot' anthem" *Heart aches.* *Gets to the "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who tells your story" part. EveN BIGGER HEART ACHE*
I literally almost cried, especially when he talked about Burr's cry to be heard and how the theme of ambition eventually only led to pain and violence ;__;
The lyrics to My Shot became more poignant when I read the book Hamilton is based on. The chapters leading up to the duel use the phrase 'throw away his shot' constantly. It was the term for not shooting to kill in a duel, and Hamilton had made the decision that a duel was murder, and he wouldn't do it. So, he starts his journey in the show by saying that he won't throw away his shot, but then ends it because he did.
There is also this another literal layer to it, since young Hamilton was REALLY into duels. Then later in life he switched his views on duelling by 180 degrees.
I read the book the week it was released. When I first heard about Hamilton and this song, this point was my first thought. Of course, Hamilton’s views on dueling changed with age…and no doubt even more so after Philip’s death.
in the world was wide enough, it might have been hollow and weak because he was repeating "i will not throw away my shot" in my shot, but in the world was wide enough, he was throwing away his shot, breaking his promise to himself. he turned into a shell of what he was at the beginning, as in the beginning he was hopeful, prideful, honest and loyal, and as the story progressed he slowly corrupted himself. he cheated Eliza, he told Phillip to throw away his shot, he was violent for the sake of violence. he couldn't claim to be who he was before, as he grew and changed with power, but he clung on to that hope that he's had since the beginning, a scrap of light, and so he remembers his time where he swore to not throw away his shot, but now it seemed melancholic to him, a distant, bittersweet memory of another time.
I love chickens! wait in "blow us all away" he says "this will put an end to the whole affair", does it mean he wanted philip to throw away his shot just to be okay with eliza? idk just ran into my head
Just the slightest itty bitty correction, Eliza sings half of the lines in responding to Peggy's criticisms and is also a part of the happy, hopeful, inspiring parts of the song so maybe put an annotations or something adding Eliza.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! YOU MISSED "What'd i miss" The first minute of the thing is an in your face, My Shot Anthem. It starts in the bassline, strong, real bold. They have the tools to build a nation and they're ready to build a nation. So lets get to it. As we start to introduce Jefferson it grows, builds and flourishes into the Jazz routine hallmarking Jefferson's entrance.
It also acts as a slow build to get the band, and the ensemble (who are just stretching on stage), and the audience, slowly ramped up to jump back into act two. Start with a hyper slimplistic piano line, and grow it in the strings, percussion and bass.
+Howard Ho you're right. I watched this first. And you cover the music theory. But you don't talk about the arrangement nearly at all. But that's ok. Can't wait for Right Hand Man!
With the popularity of Hamilton, you'd expect college courses on it soon, and I think these videos are proof that there's enough there to unpack. You're doing a great job of unlocking the relationship between themes and musical cues and I'm looking forward to when you cover I - III - vi - IV - iv progression that we hear in the finale (with the pop tradition of the 1/2 step modulation!). Great stuff!
I know, right? I've actually given a guest lecture at a university about Hamilton...although it was not music theory, but more about why hip-hop works versus other genres. Maybe I'll throw in that lecture as a "bonus" video!
I always noticed the lyrical similarities between the songs in the play, and some of the more obvious chord progressions, or melodies, like the "My Shot Anthem," but you've totally exposed me to some fascinating new things! As an avid piano player and Hamilton fan, this is a wonderful, wonderful, video.
Howard Ho In The Schuyler Sisters In response to in the part where Peggy is pointing out the bad things The people who sings are Peggy Angelica Peggy ELIZA Peggy Angelica Peggy ELIZA
I don't know a lot about music and I struggled to follow some of the details about the chords (like, my knowledge stops at "major chords are happy, minor chords are sad") but this video was still really successful in explaining the... leitmotifs, I guess, of the various characters and themes in "Hamilton" and how they're used to convey certain ideas. This was super well done and I cried a little at the end (WLWDWTYS will always do that to me, I think). Thank you so much for producing this video, I'm really glad I saw it!
I'm not sure if you mentioned this? Maybe I over looked it! There's a section in Right Hand Man where Washington asks Hamilton why he's upset and The My Shot Anthem can be heard during the exchange!
Two points: Number one! I can totally see how this took 6 years to write. Number two! I will never listen to Hamilton the same way again. These points apply to all the how hamilton works musically videos.
I adored every single one of your videos about Hamilton! It is the best musical I’ve ever seen in my life!! The music, the characters, the effects in the play, everything is awesome! But as someone who plays piano since young, your videos totally blew me away and I’ve become fascinated with chord progressions and motifs ever since!! THANK YOU, YOU ARE A GENIUS!! ❤️
Because I don't read or write music, you are beautifully articulating something I sensed but couldn't identify, which is that this show is a freakin' Swiss watch of extraordinary skill. I am a writer however (fiction, not theater) and have considered thel theme building/repetition in the lyrics, which is just as remarkable. A question: I know it's not a contest between musicals, but do you think other sung-through musicals have built themes/motifs as successfully? Can you name any?
Thanks for watching! And yes, great question! Typically musicals have dialogue in them. Some people characterize Les Miz, Phantom and other "sung-through musicals" as operettas partly for this reason. Honestly, I can't think of a musical where this technique was employed as successfully, at least not among the sung-through shows. Sondheim however does this quite frequently in his musicals, which are not sung-through.
Howard Ho thanks! And yes, I'm referring to shows like "Rent" or "Les Miz" where the book is contained in the music. Interesting about Sondheim, who Lin has said often is a huge influence on him. He sure put those lessons to phenomenal use. A genius,indeed. Thanks for your efforts in explicating his genius. A shout-out too to the somewhat under appreciated--except by Lin, who cites him often--Alex Lacamoire, so vital to the orchestrations and bringing the music to life on a grand scale. It's one hell of a show. How lucky we are to have it.
Martha Southgate Jesus Christ Superstar uses a lot of leitmotifs in this way although not as rigidly. It is very effective and a moving work in its own right.
Sweeney Todd (a Sondheim musical and one that I'm way too obsessed with), definitely. Almost every character has a theme that is used multiple times throughout songs that represent them. I'd like to go back and analyze it!
I'm pretty sure the 'anthem' as you described it appears at the start of What'd I Miss? as well whilst Burr is talking about Hamilton and what he's achieved. (I know that the opening chord progression is from Alexander Hamilton but I'm pretty sure the My Shot Anthem is also there after Burr interrupts the ensemble and starts talking).Maybe it could relate to what you said about ambitions? Either way great video! :)
makes sense that satisfied is from my shot, since angelica and alexander say themselves that they're like each other. they have the same ambition, they're never satisfied
IKR? You die from all the layers in the plot & characters alone. Yes, one notices the repeated musical themes & mashups and how they are used to tell the story, but NOTHING this deep or detailed. Like another commenter, I wrongly assumed Lin had help with the theory & weaving of musical themes, chords & the like. I thought maybe he came up with the rap, song lyrics & melodies, but had help for everything else. Now I am in unspeakable awe. What a talent!!!
This literally opened my eyes and changed my view on the songs and the whole musical!😮 Lin you are a genius not to be messed with. Excellent work on the video omg it was so interesting!!
It was also in “Right Hand Man”.. not just when they sang it, but also at Why are you upset I’m not It’s alright you want to fight. You’ve got a hunger. I was just like you when I was younger
i always sort of imagine the my shot chord progression as his call to legacy and redemption. (i know none of the specifics of how music rlly works, i just rlly like hamilton and know enough music basics to sing stuff. in case im using this wrong, im reffering to the part the ensemble always sings, where they say oh while john tells ppl they need to rise up) every time he feels called to make something of himself this plays and i feel like it always touches me. first in my shot, when hes all happy-golucky and ready to become something. go to college, join the army, secede from britian, and get the finances in order. after laurens dies, realizing that his friend never got to finish his dream and that you never know if you have more yesterdays or tomorrows. of course in history has its eyes on you. that song is so powerful to me, because alexander realizes he has a shot to make it in the army and have legacy. i think that theyre also speaking to the audience (many of whom are americans) using the most famed and honored leader in the US, the father of our country. essentially, george washington is tellimg you to get off your ass and make something of yourself. and thatll stir up some emotions, regardless of your nationality. the most interesting to me though is hurricane. as the musical goes on, ham adopts some of burr's "talk less" attitude while burr steals ham's "rise up" attitude. while id like to say better late than never, both of them were too late for the change to rlly help. ofcourse, once again you here the my shot chord progression, because this is a very blatant act on legacy. but, at the same time (nonstop style) you here aaron burr's "wait for it" chords. because yes, youre going after legacy, but as youre thinking about your advicw all those years ago its also triggering the downfall of the entire rest of his life time. it only gets worse from here. so i think the chord is so interesting. i could write so much more about this, but i know this is already too much. edit: somehow i forgot the world was wide enough!! ugh i wont take up ur time just listen to his sililoquy
I love these videos. You point out a whole bunch of musical cues that I always heard, but you also talk about some that I've never noticed before. Watching these videos makes me appreciate this music even more. Thank you for making them.
Wow, it's just incredible. Thank you for going with such depth into those songs. I love Hamilton, I've listened to it so many times and I have noticed some of the things you talk about. I've also heard some people talking about how much the music represents each character and in a way I could see it, but now I see it a thousand times better and I love it. I think that you describe the pieces extremely well and I love this series and I hope that you continue it, because I'm very curious about the rest of the songs
This stuff is great. I subscribed because of your last video on Aaron Burr. It was a great musical analysis and it really brought me to a new way of understanding the Broadway musical. Thank you very much.
There's a thing I found in Aaron Burr. In Schuyler Sisters, when he is flirting with Angeliecq, a lot of thingy plays, and that comes back in other places like Room Where it Happens
What you call the "My shot anthem" I see many calling the "Rise up riff". Just thought I'd mention that to people who are reading up on this sort of thing and encounter the other usage
speaking of the my shot anthem, I'm pretty sure it also shows up in right hand man when Alexander is asked by Washington to actually be his right hand man as that shows Hamilton not throwing away his shot to rise up
I've been seeing your video about The Ten Duel Commandments on my recommended for so long, and then I finally watched it today. I was super impressed, and then I watched the Aaron Burr Chord Progression video and I was really blown away! I subscribed, I love your works! Keep it up!
Man, your stuff is so good. I'm starting to hear the My Shot chord progression in places you didn't even mention. Like, correct me if I'm wrong but it plays in "Your obedient servant" while Burr is singing the small reprise of "Room Where it Happened" in the beginning.
These are great videos! I have no musical knowledge, but the way you use the visuals of the keys and the color coding as you discuss the chords and progression makes it easy for even a layman like myself to understand what makes this musical so special down to the specific notes. Thank you for making these!
I just found your channel by chance, doing some research on my own potential Hamilton analysis, and I have to say, this is exceptional. Everything from your points to your graphic design is well done. Subscribed.
The "my shot anthem" has always been my favourite motif. Throughout the musical i began to associate the anthem with rising up (of course) but also ambition and warning, and finally, in TWWWE all that came crashing down. I watched the musical on disney+ and when the rise up anthem came on with the credits, i couldnt watch it. I couldnt bear to, yk? An anthem about what could happen, about building a legacy, and in TWWWE it all fell apart and hamilton was forgotten for... A considerable amount of time. Ive rewatched hamilton on disney about 13 times now, and only on my latest rewatch did i finally build up the courage to watch the credits through. I cried the whole way through :,) (but that could also just be iqu and wlwdwtys)
The motif also shows up in "Right hand man" when Washington is asking Hamilton why he is upset, but it is only half complete. It is Hamilton's want to be significant breaking through.
I honestly got chills as you were explaining the idea represented by the pentatonic scale for Satisfied while that same melody was playing in the background.
this is fascinating! your graphics are simple and helpful, and you explain this all so well. the Angelica part - how that scale plays in later songs when she reminds him of his duty to his family - that part floored me. the poetry of Lin's lyrics stands out to me, so it's really cool to learn about the poetry of his composition too.
I looove your work, I'd love to see a full analysis of Hamilton! Also, in Satisfied, Alexander says to Angelica " You're like me" which strengthens the link about ambitions and everything... More over, Satisfied finishes on a minor chord!
Forgive me for not having the same in-depth knowledge as you in terms of terminology and such, but I couldn't help but notice that you missed a couple of songs where the "My Shot Anthem" shows up. Yes I heard that bit about taking a shot every time the chord progression or anthem showed up, but they fit the ambition theme: * In "Right Hand Man" as background piano just as Washington finishes the line "Now why're you upset?". Appropriate because Hamilton "wants to fight, not write". * In "What'd I Miss?" also as background piano during Aaron Burr's opening segment. Also, Burr's rhythm when he says "1789" matches up with that of the first 7 notes of the music that precede his "How does a...?" segments and shows up in other songs. From there, the piano takes over for the last three notes before playing the "My Shot Anthem". Fitting because Burr's discussing where Hamilton's ambition leads him.
These vids are great! I have enough musical theory to recognise that Hamilton is so many shades of genius, but these videos where you break down the repeating themes, and the changing character chords really help me gain new appreciation for the music. Thank you!
OMG. Wow...I have been into Hamilton for over a year and this is a FANTASTIC break down of not only the music, and the show, but a wonderful point to the depth of the music that has been given to us. Thank you for this insightful review of I thought I knew- but now appreciate even further!! Thank you!!
This was amazing!! This has so much emotion and you are teaching me things I never knew about the chords. Lin is a fantastic composer and I love that you are able to show that with things beyond the lyrics. I can't wait till next video.
My six year old loves these videos. She watched this one, paying close attention. At the end, she says, "hey, he missed one!" Turns out, the melody version is in "Right Hand Man." I can't believe she both noticed and remembered that! Great videos, she wants more!
This whole Hamilton series is great. Thanks, Harold! Anyway, I'm surely not the first person to notice this, and it doesn't relate to the chord progressions specifically, but I think it's worth noting that it's significant that Hamilton's refrain throughout the entire show is that "I'm not throwing away my shot," but then at the end, in the duel with Burr, he literally throws away his literal shot.
I've always enjoyed My Shot, but I never knew how complex and brilliant it was until now. YOU ARE AMAZING AND THIS VIDEO/VIDEO SERIES DESERVES INFINITELY MORE VIEWS. WE SHALL SPREAD THE WORD.
While I do love My Shot.....I feel like there are better songs. Not only in musical theatre, but even just in this musical. Right Hand Man gets me way more energised and pumped up for example. So much so that HERE COMES THE GENERAL gives me goosebumps!! Then there's the Ten Duel Commandments, which is an amazing combination of a catchy song, history lesson and epic forshadowing. Plus there's also You'll Be Back. The song that got me interested in Hamilton, especially since I'm a Brit myself. We're often the villian, but this one is so much fun! Dear Theodosia breaks my heart everytime I hear it. I'm not even a parent, but damn!
Also, "Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story" there is a hint of the Angelica theme at 1:34. Took me several times listening through before I noticed it.
Eliza’s “narrative” motif also fits on top of the my shot chords and anthem (if you put them in the same key, of course), which makes the final song even better
I am so happy to view this.. I got Hamilton Tickets for the San Fransico production!! My youngest son is a music major so this provides something I can talk to him about.
Alex did a brilliant job with orchestrations! What I'm talking about are the chord progressions, and for all his brilliant orchestrations, Alex didn't come up with those. Lin did. But in a future video, maybe I can tackle Alex's indispensable contributions.
Okay, I have noticed that many melodies and progressions do repeat in different songs, but I don't really have the knowledge to look into it in such depth like you did. I really enjoyed the video and although I can't play the piano (badly wish I did though), I am fascinated by everything you said and I hope you make more videos about Hamilton.
This is such an awesome analysis of the score!! Really great job. :) I feel I do have to mention that Lin worked collaboratively with Alex Lacamoire though, who really did most of the orchestration.
Yes, absolutely! Alex's orchestrations are brilliant. But Lin is still the composer, and his use of chord progressions is really the subject of these videos. Glad you enjoyed watching this, and perhaps I will talk about orchestrations in a future video. Thanks!
The skeletal structure of my shot, G minor, B flat, C minor and E flat almost made me start sobbing because it reminded me of the beginning of Freedom from Brothers of the Wind
I've always noticed that some bits of the songs sounded similar to each other, but you've made it so easy to hear and understand. Mind blown, amazing work!!
You R amazing. Thank you so much for this videos. They really helps you undestarnd the magnificent music play Hamilton is. and the incredible work Lin.Manuel mirada did. I`m from Mexico and send my regards.
love the commentary about ambition and the deeper thoughts on satisfied & history has its eyes on you shows how throughout alexander's story he was so blinded by that ambition.
I literally got chills hearing you describe these songs. You gave me a new appreciation for the music and the masterful way it was crafted. You got yourself a sub today.
I'm genuinely curious. Would all these musical decisions be Lin's doing, or does Alex Lacamore have a big role to play? I'm a Hamilton fan but not technically musical, so I'm not sure how lyrics and music work together with an orchestrator. THis video was brilliant and I'm mesmerised by all the hidden elements of the music and lyrics working together so intricately.
