Theatre

Caitlin Devlin / 23 April 2025

By Numbers

Hamilton By Numbers: Every song in the stage musical of Hamilton

Here’s your breakdown of every song on the Hamilton soundtrack

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Don’t know every song in Hamilton? You’re forgiven – there’s 46 of them. Some are more significant than others, both in plot-relevance and length, but all make up the story of Alexander Hamilton and America’s other founding fathers, a piece of US history told through hip hop and rap. A sung-through musical, Hamilton relies entirely on its lyrics to deliver this story, which is why there’s such a huge amount of music to get to terms with.

Currently running at the Victoria Palace Theatre with exclusive seat prices if you book by 10:00 on 5 May 2025, there’s never been a better time to take your shot. Whether you want to get prepared ahead of seeing the show or digest what it is you’ve just heard, we’ve got you. Here’s a breakdown of every song in Hamilton the musical.

Hamilton songs:

‘Alexander Hamilton’

"Alexander Hamilton" from HAMILTON

The show’s explosive opening number introduces us to all the key players from Hamilton’s life, each of them taking it in turns to narrate sections of his origin story, as we track his origins from a child living in poverty in the Caribbean to a young upstart in New York. A slow burn to its titular hook, the song lets us know who and what will be important in Hamilton’s life, including those who he fought with and against, those who he loved, and those who loved him – and, of course, Burr’s revelation: “And me? I’m the damn fool that shot him.”

Key lyric: “How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a/Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten/Spot in the Caribbean by providence, impoverished, in squalor/Grow up to be a hero and a scholar?”

‘Aaron Burr, Sir’

"Aaron Burr, Sir" from HAMILTON

We pick up the story in real time, as Hamilton and Burr meet for the first time in 1776. A young Hamilton asks Burr for advice, and Burr presents to him a philosophy he will repeat throughout the show – don’t be outspoken about what you stand for, but sit back and wait to see which way the wind will blow.

We’re also introduced to three other key players, who each chime in with a verse: John Laurens, Lafayette and Hercules Mulligans. They start to discuss the revolution – and when Hamilton chimes in, they’re intrigued.

Key lyric: “If you stand for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for?”

‘My Shot’

"My Shot" from HAMILTON

The scene continues as Hamilton reveals his character to the men. He’s a highly principled person, someone keen to prove himself in the revolution, in possession of great intellect but not a lot of experience or education. Excited by Hamilton’s gift with words, Laurens, Lafayette and Mulligan recognise that he could be a powerful tool in the revolution, even whilst Burr advises them to exercise caution.

Key lyric: “I’m just like my country, I’m young, scrappy and hungry, and I’m not throwing away my shot”

‘The Story Of Tonight’

The Story of Tonight

The night of drinking ends with a toast to freedom and everything the future might bring – a song that, whilst not in the soundtrack, will reappear in the stage version when Hamilton eventually learns of Laurens’ death in battle.

Key lyric: “Raise a glass to freedom, something they can never take away”

‘The Schuyler Sisters’

"The Schuyler Sisters" from HAMILTON

We’re now introduced to the other most important characters in the show – Angelica and Eliza Schuyler (and Peggy). Burr narrates the wealthy Schuyler sisters’ fascination with the changing world, as they venture downtown to take in the brewing revolution and search for influential minds at work.

Key lyric: “History is happening in Manhattan and we just happen to be in the greatest city in the world”

‘Farmer Refuted’

"Farmer Refuted" from HAMILTON

Based on a real exchange of papers in which Hamilton refuted the ideas of Samuel Seabury, this brief but lyrically technical song showcases Hamilton’s skill with words and his ability to undercut the arguments of his opponents.

Key lyric: “Burr, I’d rather be divisive than indecisive, drop the niceties”

‘You’ll Be Back’

"You'll Be Back" from HAMILTON

The first of three songs from King George III, ‘You’ll Be Back’ is the king’s response to the revolutionists – just like a lover seeking better things, he’s confident that America will soon come crawling back into his arms. There are several humorous references to George’s madness throughout, and his music hall interludes offer a fun change of pace, breaking up the fast-moving score.

Key lyric: “When you’re gone, I’ll go mad/So don’t throw away this thing we had”

‘Right Hand Man’

"Right Hand Man" from HAMILTON

We’re now at George Washington’s New York Campaign. War is an inevitability, with British troops landing in New York City. General George Washington recognises that they’re outnumbered, with less resource than the British army, and he’s in need of a sharp mind to help him strategise a victory. Enter Hamilton, young, hungry and desperate to prove himself. Washington sees his potential – and cautions Hamilton that securing his legacy by dying like a martyr might not be the best way to serve his country.

Key lyric: “Dying is easy, young man. Living is harder.”

‘A Winter’s Ball’

"A Winter's Ball" from HAMILTON

A quick interlude sees Burr expressing his frustration with how fast Hamilton is rising before setting the scene for a ball – the place where Alexander Hamilton will be in the same room as the Schuyler sisters for the first time.

Key lyric: BURR: “If you can marry a sister, you’re rich, son.”/HAMILTON: “Is it a question of if, Burr, or which one?”

‘Helpless’

"Helpless" from HAMILTON

Spotting Hamilton across the ballroom, Eliza Schuyler falls instantly. With the bolder Angelica making introductions, Hamilton and Eliza meet, and we’re led through their love story. The two write to each other frequently, are quickly engaged, and Hamilton expresses to Eliza that even though he doesn’t have much to offer her, he loves her and her family and knows they can figure it out together. We end with the wedding march. Both of their lives are now changed forever – and they’re not the only ones…

Key lyric: “Grab my sister and whisper, “Yo, this one’s mine.””

‘Satisfied’

"Satisfied" from HAMILTON

As Angelica Shuyler makes her wedding toast, she rewinds us back to live through these events from her perspective. In her very first conversation with Hamilton, the two make an intense connection. It’s love at first sight – until Angelica turns and sees her sister’s face. Knowing that she could never hurt Eliza – and that it’s her duty as the oldest sister to marry richer than Hamilton – Angelica decides to step aside and introduce Eliza to Hamilton instead. She watches them fall in love and get married, all the while knowing that her connection with Hamilton will have to be forgotten. ‘Satisfied’ sets up a key dynamic between Hamilton and the two older Schuyler sisters that will remain one of the throughlines of the show.

Key lyric: “And I know she’ll be happy as his bride/And I know he will never be satisfied, I will never be satisfied”

‘The Story of Tonight (Reprise)’

"The Story of Tonight - Reprise" from HAMILTON

Hamilton’s wedding is an appropriate setting for a slightly more drunken rendition of this drinking song. Burr enters, and through their teasing the group get him to admit that he’s in love with a woman – however, she happens to be married to a British officer.

Key lyric: “I will never understand you. If you love this women, go get her. What are you waiting for?”

‘Wait For It’

"Wait for It" from HAMILTON

‘Wait For It’ is where we get our most significant insight into Burr as a character. He’s frustrated that he can’t be with the woman he loves, frustrated that Hamilton seems to be getting everything he wants, but he’s a patient man and he trusts that what he’s owed is coming to him. He just has to wait.

Key lyric: “Hamilton doesn’t hesitate/He exhibits no restraint/He takes and he takes and he takes/And he keeps winning anyway”

‘Stay Alive’

"Stay Alive" from HAMILTON

Although out of place historically (the winter at Valley Forge described in the song happened three years before Hamilton’s wedding) the struggles of Washington’s make more sense thematically depicted here. We catch up with how the revolution is going – Hamilton and Laurens are serving side by side, but despite Hamilton’s work, Washington refuses to give him a command, promoting the far less competent Charles Lee over him. With Lee failing at the Battle of Monmouth and Lafayette barely getting things back on track, Lee lashes out at Washington’s leadership. Washington orders Hamilton not to retaliate – but Laurens is under no such vow.

Key lyric: “Don’t do a thing. History will prove him wrong.”

‘Ten Duel Commandments’

"Ten Duel Commandments" from HAMILTON

This ode to Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Ten Crack Commandments’ explains how duels go down, as Laurens challenges Lee. Hamilton and Burr, as the respective seconds, try to negotiate instead, but when they can’t reach an agreement, the duel goes ahead.

Key lyric: “Look ‘em in the eye, aim no higher/Summon all the courage you require”

‘Meet Me Inside’

"Meet Me Inside" from HAMILTON

The aftermath of the dual sees Lee yield after Laurens shoots him in the side. Washington is furious, and he and Hamilton have a confrontation. Hamilton asks again for a command, but Washington isn’t willing to risk his life. When Hamilton snaps, Washington sends him home to Eliza.

Key lyric: “If you gave me command of a battalion, a group of men to lead, I could fly above my station”

‘That Would Be Enough’

"That Would Be Enough" from HAMILTON

Hamilton returns to Eliza to find her pregnant – she’d written to Washington, asking him to send Hamilton home to meet his son. Whilst Hamilton will never be satisfied, Eliza is content with the life they have, and tries to convince Hamilton that what they have together is enough.

Key lyric: “We don’t need a legacy”

‘Guns And Ships’

"Guns and Ships" from HAMILTON

In the fastest-paced show of all time, ‘Guns And Ships’ is the fastest song, thanks to some incredibly rapid verses from Lafayette. The Frenchman is doing fantastic work in the war, but, as he tells Washington, they need Hamilton to end it for good. Washington eventually agrees to ask Hamilton to return.

Key lyric: “Everyone give it up for America’s favourite fighting Frenchman!”

‘History Has Its Eyes On You’

"History Has Its Eyes on You" from HAMILTON

As Washington finally gives Hamilton the responsibility he’s been waiting for, he tells him of the mistakes he made in battle as a young man, and warns him of the watching eyes of history.

Key lyric: “Let me tell me what I wish I’d known when I was young and dreamed of glory/You have no control who lives, who dies, who tells your story”

‘Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)’

"Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)" from HAMILTON

The Battle of Yorktown is the very last battle in the revolutionary war. Hamilton reflects on his previous willingness to die in battle – and realises that his desire to get home to Eliza and meet his son has altered his perspective. Thanks to the work of spy on the inside Hercules Mulligan and the other key players in Washington’s army, the battle is won, and America is an independent nation.

Key lyric: “Gotta start a new nation, gotta meet my son!”

‘What Comes Next?’

"What Comes Next?" from HAMILTON

As the terms of surrender are agreed, King George III comes onstage to warn the Americans that running a nation isn’t as easy as they might think.

Key lyric: “What comes next? You’ve been freed/Do you know how hard it is to lead?”

‘Dear Theodosia’

"Dear Theodosia" from HAMILTON

Hamilton meets his son – and Burr meets his daughter. In this emotional number they reflect on the fact that these are some of the first children born into this new country, and they vow to do everything they can to build them a strong future.

Key lyric: “If we lay a strong enough foundation/We’ll pass it on to you, we’ll give the world to you/And you’ll blow us all away”

‘Non-Stop’

"Non-Stop" from HAMILTON

The Act 1 closer is a massive number, charting Hamilton’s life from the end of the war to his new position as Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton works with a fervour that Burr can’t keep pace with, and he watches in astonishment as Hamilton climbs above all his competition and attends the Constitutional Convention. Eventually, Hamilton visits Burr to admit that he has a tendency to rub people up the wrong way. He asks for Burr’s help to defend the new constitution to the public, and the two embark on a project called the Federalist Papers. With the help of James Madison and John Jay, they anonymously publish a series of essays – of which Hamilton ends up writing the bulk.

Meanwhile, Angelica sails off to London with her wealthy husband, reminding Hamilton to write. Eliza begs Hamilton to remember to slow down and take stock of where he is. When Washington asks Hamilton to run the Treasury department, Act 1 ends with Hamilton obsessively lost to his work.

Key lyric: “Why do you write like you’re running out of time?”

‘What’d I Miss?’

"What'd I Miss" from HAMILTON

Burr gets us up to date as Act Two kicks off, introducing one of the show’s other key players. Thomas Jefferson has been absent for a large part of the revolution – now he’s returned from Paris to assume his new role as Secretary of State and go toe to toe with Hamilton. James Madison lets him know that not everyone is best pleased with Hamilton’s new financial plan, and Jefferson prepares to combat it in the first cabinet meeting.

Key lyric: “What’d I miss?/Headfirst into a political abyss!”

‘Cabinet Battle #1’

"Cabinet Battle #1" from HAMILTON

We head straight into the meeting, which is delivered as a rap battle between Jefferson and Hamilton. Jefferson feels Hamilton’s plan disadvantages the South and speaks out against it, and despite Hamilton’s passionate defence, Jefferson and Madison remind him that Congress isn’t going to vote his way. Washington pulls Hamilton aside and warns him to keep his cool and set about convincing people rather than antagonising them. It’s a fast-moving number but the audience doesn’t have to catch every detail to understand the dynamic being set up between these men, and to understand that there’s no love lost here.

Key lyric: “Winning was easy, young man, governing’s harder”

‘Take A Break’

"Take a Break" from HAMILTON

Whilst all of this is going on, Eliza is raising their son, Philip, and teaching him piano. Hamilton writes to Angelica to speak to her about the issues their government is having – Eliza tears him away to celebrate Philip’s ninth birthday, and Philip introduces himself via a very endearing rap. Eliza begs Hamilton to take a break and go upstate with them that summer, but Hamilton is too engrossed in his work to commit. Through their correspondence, Angelica advises him – and also betrays some of her true feelings.

Angelica arrives in New York, but Hamilton decides that even she isn’t enough to convince him to take a holiday. The family go upstate and Hamilton is left alone in the city, hell bent on getting his plan through Congress.

Key lyric: “Thoughts of you subside/Then I get another letter/I cannot put the notion away”

‘Say No To This’

"Say No to This" from HAMILTON

An overworked and lonely Hamilton meets Miss Maria Reynolds, a vulnerable woman mistreated and abandoned by her husband. Hamilton gives her some financial assistance and tries to do the noble thing, but he ultimately falls prey to his worst instincts. He begins a relationship with Maria Reynolds – and soon receives a letter of blackmail from her husband, who seems to still be in the picture after all.

Key lyric: “Lord show me how to say no to this/I don’t know how to say no to this”

‘The Room Where It Happens’

"The Room Where It Happens" from HAMILTON

Burr and Hamilton have a uncharacteristically friendly conversation, where Hamilton tells Burr that he’s decided to opt his strategy of talking less and smiling more. He then disappears, off to a dinner with Jefferson and Madison – and manages to come to a compromise. Left on the outside, Burr’s frustration comes to a head as he realises that he’ll forever be cut out of these conversations unless he changes something in his strategy.

Key lyric: “You get love for it/You get hate for it/You get nothing if you wait for it, wait for it, wait for it”

‘Schuyler Defeated’

"Schuyler Defeated" from HAMILTON

A transitional number in which we learn that Eliza’s father has just lost his seat in the senate to Aaron Burr, who has switched parties to seize the opportunity. This doesn’t sit well with Hamilton.

Key lyric: HAMILTON: “No one knows who you are or what you do”/BURR: “They don’t need to know me, they don’t like you”

‘Cabinet Battle #2’

"Cabinet Battle #2" from HAMILTON

The second rap battle between Jefferson and Hamilton, in which Jefferson is adamant that the US should send aid to France in their war against England, and Hamilton insists that the US is still too fragile to get involved. Washington ultimately sides with Hamilton.

Key lyric: “You’re nothing without Washington behind you”

‘Washington On Your Side’

"Washington on Your Side" from HAMILTON

Burr, Jefferson and Madison complain about Washington’s favouritism towards Hamilton. Determined to stand up against Hamilton and his mouth, they start looking into how Hamilton has managed the treasury, hoping to find something damning.

Key lyric: “This immigrant isn’t somebody we chose”

‘One Last Time’

"One Last Time" from HAMILTON

Washington and Hamilton learn that Jefferson has resigned so that he can run for President against Washington. To Hamilton’s astonishment, Washington decides that he won’t run again. He dictates as Hamilton records his final lessons to his nation – including a lesson in how to say goodbye. The number even weaves in part of Washington’s real goodbye to his presidential seat.

Key lyric: “I want to sit under my own vine and fig tree/A moment alone in the shade/At home in this nation we’ve made”

‘I Know Him’

"I Know Him" from HAMILTON

The third and final King George’s interludes sees him comically confused at the idea of Washington relinquishing power to John Adams, who he remembers as “that little guy.” Gleeful, he predicts the fall of America post-Washington.

Key lyric: “They will tear entire into pieces/Jesus Christ, this will be fun”

‘The Adams Administration’

"The Adams Administration" from HAMILTON

Under the Adams Administration, Jefferson is Vice President and Hamilton is fired – he publishes an inflammatory response to Adams. Seeing that Hamilton’s position is weakening, Jefferson, Burr and Madison decide that now is the time to strike.

Key lyric: “As long as he can hold a pen, he’s a threat/Let’s let him know what we know”

‘We Know’

"We Know" from HAMILTON

The men let Hamilton know they’ve seen his payments to James Reynolds, only they think he’s embezzling government funds. Hamilton is cocky, knowing they’re barking up the wrong tree – but he still decides to prove to them that his only discrepancy is a personal one. He shows them the letter from Reynolds and explains the situation with Maria, emphasising that he hasn’t doesn’t anything illegal.

Key lyric: “Yes, I have reason for shame/But I have not committed treason and sullied my good name”

‘Hurricane’

"Hurricane" from HAMILTON

Paranoid that these men will now use his secret against him, Hamilton decides that he has to take action himself. He reflects on growing up in poverty, the death of his mother and writing his way out – now he decides he’ll write his way out of this situation too, setting his story down on paper before anyone can else can put it in their words.

Key lyric: “I’ll write my way out/Overwhelm them with honesty/This is the eye of the hurricane/This is the only way I can protect my legacy”

‘The Reynolds Pamphlet’

"The Reynolds Pamphlet" from HAMILTON

The Reynolds Pamphlet is published, and everyone is agog with the news of Hamilton’s self-confessed torrid affair. His enemies smugly reflect that his political career is effectively over. Angelica comes from London to defend her sister and make Hamilton face up to the consequences of what he’s done.

Key lyric: “I love my sister more than anything in this life/I will choose her happiness over mine every time”

‘Burn’

"Burn" from HAMILTON

Blindsided by the publication of the Reynolds Pamphlet, Eliza re-evaluates her marriage. She reflects on how Hamilton’s gift with words, something about him that she has always loved, has now been used to hurt her. She burns their love letters.

Key lyric: “I’m erasing myself from the narrative/Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted/When you broke her heart”

‘Blow Us All Away’

"Blow Us All Away" from HAMILTON

Philip Hamilton, now nineteen, seeks out George Eaker, who disparaged his father’s legacy publicly. He finds him at the theatre and challenges him to a duel. Hamilton, disapproving of the whole affair, tells Philip to point his pistol at the sky when the time comes – if George is a man of honour, he’ll do the same.

Key lyric: “To take someone’s life, that is something you can’t shake/Philip, your mother can’t take another heartbreak”

‘Stay Alive (Reprise)’

"Stay Alive - Reprise" from HAMILTON

George doesn’t follow suit – Philip is shot. A frantic Hamilton and Eliza arrive at the hospital to find Philip on his deathbed, and whilst reminiscing on his childhood with his mother, Philip passes away.

Key lyric: “I did exactly as you said, Pa/I held my head up high”

‘It’s Quiet Uptown’

"It's Quiet Uptown" from HAMILTON

Angelica narrates as the Hamiltons move uptown and try to navigate their life-altering grief. The chorus observes Hamilton talking to himself as he walks around and trying his best to reach Eliza, who is lost to her mourning. Eventually, Eliza takes Hamilton’s hand – the first sign that she is prepared to try and forgive him for everything.

Key lyric: “If you see him in the street/Walking by himself, talking to himself, have pity/He is working through the unimaginable”

‘The Election of 1800’

"The Election of 1800" from HAMILTON

“Can we get back to politics?” asks Jefferson. He and Burr are going head to head in this election, and many people see Burr as a safer option – Madison suggests that an endorsement from Hamilton might turn the tide. Hamilton emerges from his mourning to endorse Jefferson, to everyone’s surprise. Even though Hamilton’s principles don’t align with Jefferson’s, Hamilton respects him for the fact that he has principles at all. Jefferson wins by a landslide.

Key lyric: “I have never agreed with Jefferson once/We have fought on like seventy-five different fronts/But when all is said and all is done/Jefferson has beliefs, Burr has none”

‘Your Obedient Servant’

"Your Obedient Servant" from HAMILTON

Furious, Burr cannot understand why Hamilton would block him from being President. What follows is a humorous sequence of passive aggressive letters between the two of them, setting down their differences. Eventually, they agree to duel.

Key lyric: “You’ve kept me from the room where it happens for the last time”

‘Best Of Wives And Best Of Women’

"Best of Wives and Best of Women" from HAMILTON

Before meeting Burr, Hamilton shares this short duet with Eliza. Spoiler – it serves as their goodbye.

Key lyric: “Why do you write like you’re running out of time?”

‘The World Was Wide Enough’

"The World Was Wide Enough" from HAMILTON

Everything comes to a head with Hamilton and Burr’s duel. As they prepare, Burr’s paranoia mounts – he knows Hamilton is an excellent shot, and he’s a lousy one. Hamilton puts on his glasses, and Burr is afraid that this means he intends to take a fatal shot. He decides it must be Hamilton or him, and he shoots – just before he realises that Hamilton has raised his pistol at the sky.

Facing death, Hamilton reflects on what he’s achieved in his life and what his legacy might be. He passes away, and Burr returns home, filled with regret.

Key lyric: “I survived but I paid for it/Now I’m the villain in your history/I was too young and blind to see/I should’ve known/I should’ve known the world was wide enough for both Hamilton and me”

‘Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story’

"Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" from HAMILTON

All the key players in Hamilton’s life gives their final testimonies, from Jefferson and Madison to Washington and Angelica. Eliza then steps forward to describe how she protected Hamilton’s legacy, interviewing the soldiers that fought with him, organising his writings, electing the Washington monument and speaking out against slavery. She also tells the audience that she’s established the first private orphanage in New York City, in Hamilton’s memory. At the end of her life, she speaks to her husband, ready to see him again.

Key lyric: “Have I done enough? Will they tell your story?/Oh, I can’t wait to see you again/It’s only a matter of time”

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Find tickets for Hamilton here. Book by 10:00 on 5 May 2025 for exclusive seat prices, with tickets from £35 plus great stall seats from £55.