Right Hand Man (''Hamilton'' song)

"Right Hand Man"
Song by Christoper Jackson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. & the Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton
from the album Hamilton
Released 2015
Genre
Length 5:21
Songwriter(s) Lin-Manuel Miranda

"Right Hand Man" is the eighth song from Act 1 of the musical Hamilton, based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, which premiered on Broadway in 2015. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote both the music and lyrics to the song. The song introduces then General George Washington to the musical.

Synopsis

The song Right Hand Man charts the very beginning of the American Revolutionary War, and begins with Alexander Hamilton (Lin Manuel Miranda) and Hercules Mulligan (Joshua Henry) reaffirming their commitment to the fight. Alexander Hamilton is irritated that he cannot rise to a position of command in the Continental Army, as there is only one man who could award him such a position - General George Washington, who had been appointed commander-in-chief at the Second Continental Congress.[1] Washington is then introduced by Aaron Burr, and discusses his frustration of his forces in the fight for control of New York City.[2] Hamilton attempts to reverse the tide of the battle by capturing British cannons that were attacking his unit in the Battery. These actions bring Hamilton to the attention of Washington, who decides to recruit a right-hand man after retreating from Brooklyn. Burr applies for this role, but is dismissed in favor of Hamilton, who assumes the eponymous role at the song's conclusion.[3]

Analysis

The song serves to introduce George Washington, a role originated on Broadway by Christoper Jackson.[4]

Elizabeth Logan, writing for Huffington Post, considered the song to incorporate recurring motifs from the musical, such as "throwing away my shot" - a reference to My Shot.[5] It further sows seeds of discord between Hamilton and Burr due to jealousy, and this becomes important in Act 2 of the musical, where the two duel in Weehawken, New Jersey.

The song receives a reprise later in the musical, when Washington asks Hamilton to assume the role of Secretary of the Treasury in the Cabinet of the United States.

Critical reception

Buzzfeed ranked the song as the 22nd best in the musical,[6] while The Young Folks had it ranked 19th.[7]

Vibe.com said that it marked a return to the initial "1990's feel" of the musical .[8]

References

  1. ↑ "George Washington's Commission as Commander in Chief: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress)". www.loc.gov.
  2. ↑ "Battle of Long Island". www.britishbattles.com.
  3. ↑ "Alexander Hamilton". George Washington's Mount Vernon.
  4. ↑ Ryan, Maureen (October 18, 2016). "Christopher Jackson Talks 'Bull,' 'Hamilton' and What's Next".
  5. ↑ Logan, Elizabeth (October 1, 2015). "I Have an Opinion on Every Song in "Hamilton"". huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  6. ↑ None. "A Ranking Of Every Song In Hamilton". BuzzFeed Community. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Every Song from 'Hamilton,' Ranked - The Young Folks". www.theyoungfolks.com. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Going H.A.M.: A Track-By-Track Review Of The 'Hamilton' Soundtrack". vibe.com. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
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