Really love this! (as a percussionist who played In The Heights at my high school I also appreciate the correction and details about the 3-2 clave!) *some spoilers for In the Heights ahead* At around 6:02 you mention the merengue that gets brought up in Carnaval Del Barrio. The main beat in Carnaval is a Bomba variant called “Sicá.” (CongaChops has a good video demoing this th-cam.com/video/tIPZrQynOW8/w-d-xo.html ). However, there is a part after Usnavi announces Abuela won the lottery where it switches to a pambiche rhythm which is a Domican genre derived from merengue. This is the excerpt played in the "overture." The two are very similar, and the Piano/Vocal score for In The Heights even says "Frantic Merengue" at this point in the "overture." I just thought this was a neat point and worth pointing out. Another great video as always!
@@HowardHoMusic Yeah of course! I have the full score for the show plus all the parts, I don't know if you want it or not for your upcoming videos (very excited about btw!)
Graffitti Pete is the only person in the whole show Usnavi tries to keep Sonny away from. He's the only one who doesn't have (that Usnavi can see) a job or a dream. Also, Usnavi's emotional arc with Pete is learning to appreciate an art form he initially sees as trash. META!
Wtfff... I swear LMM always has at least 3 layers of metaphor working at any moment. Hamilton is almost more fun to parse than it is to listen to. And now I feel like going back and watching ITH with subtitles to make sure I didn't miss anything lol.
When I was a teenager, my Abuelita told me that she liked hearing rap music, but it made her nervous that she couldn't understand the lyrics, because she heard that they're usually obscene. So I played her Will Smith. If only I knew about Lin Manuel Miranda back then.
Will Smith was a really good option too! "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper" is what got this white kid from Vermont into rap and hip hop. Then I moved on to the Chronic....maybe don't play that one for your abuelita, lol.
That is so precious. My mom was the same way growing up. Would never let us play any rap/hip hop because she was condition to regard it as music with filthy lyrics. My sister took her to see in the heights and then we had her watch Hamilton. She’s been opening up her appreciation of music, not to mention constantly quoting Hamilton lyrics as she putters around the house.
There is a German TH-camr who analyses every five minutes of Harry Potter in detail. She for example researches ornaments on clothing, landscape and everything else. Sooo it is possible
It's funny, only someone that is wealthy would say losing a scholarship is no big deal. When you're poor, a scholarship makes or breaks your chances of going to & finishing college-- especially an expensive school like Stanford.
Yeah, I found it strange that being able to afford tuition was not seen as high stakes. For me, scholarships were the difference between getting an education and not.
That sentence that losing a scholarship isn’t a big deal is the most disgustingly elitist statement I have ever heard. Like, I want to find and punch this guy levels of appalling. I grew up fairly privileged- white, upper middle class, dads a lawyer- and I would not have able to afford a Stanford education without scholarships. Hell, I wouldn’t have been able to go out of state without my academic scholarship, loans, and work. This is the 21st century, affording college is a fucking nightmare.
I remember an article that came out when Hamilton was literally everywhere that was a pretty basic, "Some people don't like Hamilton," piece, but something that really pissed me off was one of the people interviewed said that a lot of the things that "sound like rhymes" in the lyrics are actually "false" rhymes, and if Lin had spend more time or been more thorough he could have avoided it. And it was just so elitist, because I was reading this knowing that Lin deliberately includes slant rhymes as a stylistic choice to match the musical style he was using, not because he was being lazy- he's actually quite the perfectionist where lyrics are concerned.
@@Crazy_Diamond_75 yes--he does a phenomenal job of making things rhyme or almost rhyme while conveying meaning. The content is never subordinate to the rhymes; the two work in tandem to give meaning. That's the mark of an excellent lyricist and composer.
I was Sonny and Usnavi on the 2nd National tour in 2011 and something that was told to us by Alex Lacamoire was the clave rhythm is used through out all over even in the melodies (easiest example is "LOOK at the FIRE-WORKS" or Kevin singing "ALL MY WORK ALL MY LIFE" is all Clave rhythm.) This was a great video.
Damn...I hadn’t considered Spielberg‘s West Side Story would go against In The Heights at the Oscars...I really hope WSS doesn’t squash ITH. Lin’s been trying to get this movie made forever...we already have a WSS film. It looks fantastic but it’s inherently superfluous
@@santitofelipe6283 no it doesn’t. It should be called “We are Latinx and we don’t shut the fuck up about it- The Movie!” I’m Latino and this piece of shit movie doesn’t represent me. Take that Latinx shit and shove it.
Looking forward to your Graffiti Pete video, I feel that character is supposed to represent the misconceptions the audience tends to have, for instance, spoiler: After Abuela dies, Sonny and Graffiti Pete are seen exchanging money, as in a shady business, but what is happening is so transformative it always brings me to tears.
As a songwriter who agonizes over getting my lyrics just right, I actually love LMM's approach...slant rhymes or not...because where his rhymes land with regard to the beat is always so dynamic. Plus, assonance allows him to squeeze every last bit of juice out of a rhyme...often to astonishingly impressive effect. The thing that sets LMM apart is that he _leans into it!_ Assonance isn't something he _settles for;_ it's something he utilizes very intentionally. For comparison, even people who _hate_ Cubism must admit that Picasso's paintings look exactly the way _he_ wanted them. Art that panders to critics' expectations is not art; it's product. Conversely, greatness is often best achieved by doing _well_ that which others afraid to try.
In my defense(/lh /hj), while I loved music stuff appearing in movies I hadn't really gotten exposed much to stage musicals enough to get curious and get into a specific one (that then leads to many others), but if you can yell at my younger self to get into musicals years earlier I'd happily join you hksjh
"Nina, while not working is actually a student struggling with her finances at Stanford and has very ambitious dreams." Only Somewhat true. "I couldn't work two jobs and study for finals and finish my term paper." - Nina "Two jobs? You said there was only going to be one." - Mr. Rosario "It's expensive and the scholarship only covered part of it." - Nina So not only was she a Stanford student struggling with finances she also worked two jobs.
I'm so happy you made this. I've started listening to ITH years ago but there rarely has been any videos of people talking in depth about it in the same way they talk about Hamilton. There are so many references to things like NYC geography and Broadway/latin culture here that I never would've caught on my own, and it's great that that's turned around with channels like yours. I've learned a lot from this one video and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series! If it ever comes down to it, I would also love to see you talk about how ITH might have changed musically into the movie adaptation.
@@HowardHoMusic I love this! But here's a question: if they say 'I've never been north of 96th St", aren't they saying they've never been in the poorer part of the city? Shouldn't they be saying they've never been south of that street?
Fun fact, when you mention how Lin's guiro beat @ 10:55 doesn't drown out the clave, and it in fact compliments it, that's because that's a cumbia beat. It originates from Colombia but is a staple of a lot of Latino-Caribbean music.
I couldn’t afford to buy the cast recording in college about 7 years ago and I just bought it today. After I watch the movie maybe I’ll buy the movie soundtrack.
ThErE's No StAkEs In DrOpPiNg OuT! Ugh. You can tell stuff about how that movie exec was raised... never knew the pressure to get into a good college and graduate "on time"... we get it, sir, your daddy's connections landed you a job so your unmotivated butt's $h!t grades couldn't hold you back (yeah I'm mad and I need to go to bed lol)
That also reminded me of when my boyfriend’s parents asked why he had to come to my graduation. It’s “just college graduation” to affluent families. They never doubted their kids would graduate college, but it isn’t a given where I come from, it’s a big accomplishment!!
Yo I graduated college over a decade ago (first in family), did find a job, and still had nightmares about not graduating almost 10 years after the fact. Every spring, around commencement, one vivid nightmare.
I'm Half Puerto Rican an raised in America. I don't look Hispanic like my brothers, but I cannot stress how much this musical shook my core. I've always been down heartened by the fact I never got to embrace the culture like the rest of my moms family, I've never even been to Puerto Rico like my full Puerto Rican Brothers. I don't even know Spanish that much. But yeah this just really hits different. I feel connected to a hidden part of me when I'm listening to the soundtrack, and I love it. Lin connected me to my history yet again. First Hamilton and now ITH. (Yes I might have been slow to the band wagon but cut me some slack I'm not up to date with Broadway shows) Can't ever thank him enough.
hey! great video :) wanted to add two things: 1) Don't know if you're aware of this, but the "no pares, sigue, sigue" lyrics and rythm are from "Tiburón" by Proyecto Uno, a merengue band from New York made up of dominicans (like Usnavi). The song is very well known throughout spanish-speaking countries in latin america. 2) the Güi in Güiro is pronounced like "we". Looking forward for the rest of your videos!
Don't mind me, I'm just here to leave the link of such an iconic jam (or like some us say it, "un clasicazo") that is "Tiburón": th-cam.com/video/4Qy0vs80T5M/w-d-xo.html
Something else I noticed was how when the cast members sing "In The Heights I can't survive without cafeee" Usnavi sings immediately afterwards "I serve Cafeee". This can show how Usnavi and his mom and pop's stop n shop are really vital to the community as a whole - more than he realizes until the end. And another thing to think about is what would have happened if Usnavi left? Who would they get their life-sustaining "cafe" from? Well, if we're talking about gentrification, it's highly possible a big name brand like, oh I don't know, STARBUCKS might move in there. We know that in real life when Lin Manuel went back to Washington Heights he saw a Starbucks in the area where there used to be small shops like the one we see in In the Heights. Maybe he wanted to create an image of a world where rather than gentrification, the culture and community of Washington Heights remained strong .
omg this video is so well done!! As a latina myself I couldn't get more excited (and also kinda worried but that's another story) with latin cuture becoming mainstream. Great job!
I'm Indonesian American and I've been wanting for so long to see stories told by indigenous artists and artists like my Mexican friends and Ukrainian friends. It's so interesting to hear but completely understandable that you guys feel trepidation. Having your stories and cultures hijacked and whitewashed would suck, and sadly that's the modus operandi in America
I'm not even any type of american but it's still so refreshing to see a different culture represented on the big screen (different from the usual american movies) and have it done well
I love Hamilton but I LOOOOOVE in the heights, I've gotten teary already in this video twice and I only 7 minutes in. SO EXCITED for the graffiti Pete video and any others about in the heights!
The amount of information you’re breaking down in this video is blowing my mind, it’s also opening my eyes to my own culture. A+ Howard Ho, please keep making these amazing videos. We’ll watch no matter what you put out.
I had a day analyzing In the Heights in a class I taught this past semester. Wish this video was around 2 months ago! My students would have loved it. I'll make sure to keep it in mind for the future!
i come from a family of musicians who play salsa exclusively, and to hear that someone, let alone a whole group of people, would think that the "clave" is a reference to "America" was just shocking. i was like :OOOOOOOO
I would also theorize that the absence of a traditional overture grabs the attention of people new to musical theater or anyone who may not always appreciate an orchestral opening, especially for musicals that become films, such as In the Heights, bringing in a whole new audience. A surprising amount of people new to the genre lose interest/focus during the overture or think musical theater isn't for them.
I was just reading that when Lin did West Side Story as a high school student Sondheim came to talk to him and his fellow performers about creating the show. Sondheim even played and sang alternate song versions that were discarded and explained why. That was when Lin decided that this was what he wanted to do with his life. When Lin won the Tony for In the Heights he thanked Sondheim in his acceptance speech and quoted lines from Sunday in the Park with George.
I saw a touring production of In the Heights in 2011/2012 and I absolutely fell in love with it. Hamilton is on another level but I’m glad ITH is also getting more attention. LMM just kills it every time
Really awesome analysis. Thank you. I’m not sure about dismissing Bernstein’s use of the clave… the triplets take over, and the song is about the Americanization of Puerto Ricans. He was certainly well capable of musical symbolism.
To be clear, I meant no disrespect. Bernstein's aim was to use the clave as a reference, and I LOVE references. I even made two videos about all the theatre references in Hamilton. Bernstein is a personal hero of mine, so I am not disparaging him at all!
it feels so surreal to see someone who isnt latino talking about latin american/immigrant culture. like by no means would i consider the inclusion of mamey or parchita (what my country calls parcha) so significant, but that's bc these things are also very mundane to me. this isnt meant to be a negative comment or anything. just me making random remarks
I'm similiar to Lin in being the child of immigrants too, so I can relate on that level. And yes, those details are mundane, which I think is the whole point. We're getting a glimpse of an average day for people in this neighborhood, so it's all about seeing their authentic, mundane lives. But I agree it's probably weird to hear me talk about it, since I have no background in it. I just did my best to get things correct. Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!
In fact, mamey/zapote is a freakishly missing ITEM in any supermarket in the USA unless you go to a local Spanish-type supermarket like Bravo Supermarket. I love mamey shakes. I literally have to hunt it down at a Dominican-owned supermarket 😩😫😭... It's worth a treasure filled chest when I do find it in the frozen aisle by my favorite "La Fe" brand... Hahaha, it's the BEST!!!!!!
It is so mundane to us but think about how much you see the mundane for us in the common media??? It’s almost weird when it’s seen outside of our little bubbles
What a great video. Very nicely edited, with great musical and cultural references that really make you realise the depth to which Lin and other Broadway composers put into their music. I was very disappointed when it ended, it felt like it just started, thanks.
Concerning the comments on rhyme schemes and what makes a good rhyme: I tend to think even though Shakespeare didn't write for musical theater (e.g. opera, which wasn't around in his time) it seems to me he used a lot of the same types of rhymes then that rappers use now.
@@HowardHoMusic I believe it's very difficult to be sure because the accent has changed so much in 400 odd years. Shakespeare is generally performed with Received Pronunciation but some scholars believe it was originally performed with an accent similar to that found in parts of Ireland or perhaps Yorkshire [so that only leaves us with about 5 main accents to choose from in Ireland alone!]....which would dramatically change the vowels and transform a lot of slant rhymes into perfect ones. And that's before we start on differences in syllable stress, and different consonant pronunciations [r, th and s being the main offenders], intonation patterns, the fact that English as a language was just wrapping up a few centuries of absolutely massive linguistic upheaval....
I love all your analysis because it allows me to learn so much about stuff I love without needing to figure it out myself - It helps me appreciate everything so so much more and I can't express how grateful I am for this channel and all you post. Thank you
*bo burnham’s reaction-reaction* me: I understood that reference. Also, I’m crying after watching this video. It’s simply somethig too good talking about something- too good.
so so so so so very excited you're talking about this and can't wait for all of your analyses of In the Heights. I've watched your Hamilton videos almost as much as I watched Hamilton since it has become available on Disney+ so I am really looking forward to this series about ITH
this video is incredible! you need to submit this as a doctoral thesis! i’m a lifelong broadway goer, theatre major, stage manager and you connected thing i literally had to rewind and watch again because i was so shocked at the genius connections and explanations. fucking incredible! i cant wait to watch all your videos
The algorithm is a week late in sending this to my suggested vids list, but I’m still rejoicing because ITH has now officially received the Howard Ho-down & I’m so here for it.
Just watched this and I feel like a better person! I loved it, it was sad, I was crying, it was happy, I was laughing. So much emotions I just cant explain it! Loved it💖👍
I love this analysis and breakdown so that we can have a deeper appreciation of Lin as an artiste. Mamey is what we call Naseberry in in Jamaica, also home of reggae & its derivative, dancehall.
Thank you for this. I thought I'd seen everything on this show, but your analysis of the opening of In The Heights is fascinating. Gives me even MORE respect to Lin's craft, as well as his respect for his heritage & Broadway. 🤓 (Hope to see more in this series! 😉)
Such a cool video! I'm really excited for this series (and to see the movie, oh my gosh)! Just a quick thing - assonance and slant rhymes aren't necessarily interchangeable with each other. Assonance is more like alliteration with vowel sounds, so it requires that repetition, which, with as much internal rhyming as Lin does, means that sometimes there are a bunch of instances of assonance going on at one time, like in the example you showed (and in "past patiently waiting..."). But if you rhymed, say, "moon" and "doom" with each other as the last syllables of lines in a sonnet and didn't have the "oo" sound pop up repetitively in the 20 beats between the two, that's still a slant rhyme, but it wouldn't be assonance. It's a little like squares and rectangles; assonance makes slant rhymes, but slant rhymes don't always have assonance. I hope this isn't too nitpicky; like I said, I really enjoyed the video, I just wanted to point that out.
in the 10 years I lived in Inwood (2008-2018) I saw Lin 7 times catching the A train to Inwood Hill Park to walk his dog and write. It's Quiet Uptown has never failed to make me cry cz it was and is literal for me, due to a personal tragedy 💔❤️
@@HowardHoMusic the spanish lyrics are translated on genius! give em a read if you get the chance ive always thought it was impressive that lmm could rhyme different languages
As an Argentinian, I can't help but feel identified, and I loved your video. I never saw the Heights, but after seeing this I will definitely will. From destroying ( in my perspective, horrendous(i sad it right?)) stereotypes to mini roasting the audience. I can assure you, a lot of my folks would, with a full smile, roast the audience, more if we make the assumption that they think we're all narcos or something. I also loved your point with the clave, when i heard that sound i immediately think of Latinoamerican music, and of how my teachers would teach us about these instruments. I didn't even knew people though of them as you told. And it's great to see Lin reclaiming that sound. AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE "EVERYBODY'S GOT A JOB, EVERYBODY'S GOT A DREAM" AHSGHWHSAHA. Such a simple truth that a lot of people ignore thanks to these stereotypes. And how People like Graffiti Pete are treated this way in my country too! I'm definitely running to see the whole musical, and the movie. Thanks you so much for making this video, i probably wouldn't have even know in the Heights existed. (Also sorry for any grammatical errors, or confusing words, as English is not my first language and sometimes I mix Spanish with English in a weird way) Edit: (I also know that this may not be exactly for people from South America but even if it's not, I still feel identified and connected a lot, Wich amazes me and yeah, thank you again!)
As a Mexican, I believe the condensed milk bit from Abuela Claudia comes from the experience of many latinos that grandmas and mothers always have a very specific and homemade recipe or mix to fix any problem, and they always work!
@@HowardHoMusic Oh that's nice! I remember my grandma used to make a weird tea for me and my sister to combat any illnesses we had and it always made us feel better! Maybe the recipe for these concoctions is grandmotherly love?
Really looking forward to the series on ITH! With regards to synthesis, I think you might be looking for the word synthesist rather than synthesiser? Anyway, great work!
@@HowardHoMusic it's a term from philosophy, so I thought it fit! I suppose I just read a book in which Pico della Mirandola is a character - he's a renaissance scholar who tried to unify Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Plato's philosophy into one big theory. He's pretty much the ultimate synthesist, but Lin definitely has the same spirit, I think!
Having grown up on TH-cam, access to information was never more than a few seconds away. But watching this video and all of his videos, multiple times made me realize the amount of information in these videos. College level concepts but explained clearly thanks to Howard. I loved music but never knew anything about it’s composition, or broadway. I click on one video and a few months later I’m re listening to everything I’ve ever heard. Amazing channel. Hoping everyone gets something out of them.
@@HowardHoMusic oh whoa, thanks so much Howard! You are everything professionally and artistically that I could ever hope to be, but I lack the education in music theory you spent a lifetime accumulating. I am more than happy to leave that need for expertise to you, and I am humbled by your mere acknowledgement of my video. Honestly, I personally worked the hardest and put the most passion and love into that video, it is in my opinion the best video essay I ever made and the most reflective of what my dream for video essays was. I am glad that one is the one which you'll see. I released it 2 years ago this July in anticipation of this day, when the movie would come out. Never would I have thought it would take 2 full years to reach the engagement from the movie's release and accompanying youtube videos that would follow which it is getting today, but it's rebirth along with what the last 18 months of my life have looked like gave inspired me. I'm coming back to video essays right now, as soon as I get home today I'm starting work on one of the many scripts I've had sitting around for years, I hope to maybe hold a candle to the brilliance of your channel one day.
This is so cool! I haven't listened through the whole ITH soundtrack because I have to have a translated lyrics tab open to understand the Spanish but I love the opening number, Breathe, Inutíl (I hope the accent is correct), and 96,000. Also thank you for talking about the A Train reference. As a non-American I didn't get the musical theatre connection (and barely got the New York one).
I saw ITH in a local production it was AMAZING. Made me cry. The movie changed a lot about the story, but also nothing? A bit extra character development, which I don't think you could do in a stage production. And it's just so good
There is always a moment when I'm watching these videos and my brain goes: "I'm beginning to think that Lin didn't really intend so many hidden details... ...Or did he?"
Haha...I feel you. I mean, it's always tempting to think someone just got lucky or didn't think it through too much. That's why I tried to show as many clips and quotes of Lin as possible to show he's saying it, not just me. Also, the annotated book of IN THE HEIGHTS is coming out soon, so that should reveal a lot about his intentions as well.
Funnily enough, the first 3 minutes of the film change a LOT compared to the original! (Though single parent Kevin Rosario is arguably introduced just after the 3 minute mark)
!:53 One of my friends came out as enby a few weeks ago, and I'm going to send them this. Good job on Broadway for recording statistics outside of gender norms.
great video! i expect in the heights movie to be good, finally a musical movie that's not a COWARD about being a musical... they seem to have added a framing device to justify the tone of musical theatre magical realism, which... ok, sure. it's better than ruining the tone like other modern musical movies (les mis 2012, cats 2019, etc)
It largely depends on the director and the overall demographic of the community they're catering to. If they feel they can get away with it, or more appropriately, know it shouldn't really be considered a big deal because it's part of an art form, they'll let it stay in. One example of this creative license being taken to the next level was in a production of Fame I saw in which the actor who played Tyrone was allowed to drop the n-word in a line. In a school district where the demo is mostly minorities and words like that can be heard from time to time, maybe you'd get a few raised eyebrows. But allow that to happen in an upper class/privileged district, you are clearly the kind of person who WANTS to watch the world burn and you'll be having conversations with superiors on Monday.
Will be really interested to see how you break ITH down further. After seeing the movie, my family agreed that the storylines/themes would work better for us on stage rather than screen. But your explanations on the music and rhythms are universal so this was a good video.
cool video! i am no longer going to be making jokes about "get to the grey theme already" because that was a weird parasocial relationship thing of me to do. i mean i'm still entirely in the dark about the musical connection between farmer refuted, meet me inside, cabinet battle 2, blow us all away, and your obedient servant, and i would love to find out, but the bit of me nagging you for the grey theme every video was never very funny. instead i would like to thank you for the fact that lin manuel miranda has seen my full legal name (because you featured that comment in the 10 duel commandments video that he later tweeted), and also tell you that i have cited two of your videos in a university level essay
Aw, now I feel really bad. I guess I should just tell you about the connection as far as I see it. The connection is that...they are not really based on chord progressions, or at least not chord progressions that are repeated in other songs. Some of them, I believe, are actually Lin's original demos flushed out. I hope that can put your mind at ease about the grey theme. Sorry for the distress!
@@HowardHoMusic ah ok thanks! to be clear there wasn’t really “distress” just a background level of “?????” at the mystery, the tone of the comment is that way because it’s foremost an apology for acting weird and entitled to content
Also tangientally related I figured out why the comment featured in the 10 duel commandments video is now nowhere to be found: TH-cam shadow deleted it for containing a cuss word
WHAT!?!? I can't believe they would do that. I mean, that's one of the best comments ever. Also, you didn't need to apologize at all. I always found the comments a nice reminder that my work has an impact.
Really love this! (as a percussionist who played In The Heights at my high school I also appreciate the correction and details about the 3-2 clave!)
*some spoilers for In the Heights ahead*
At around 6:02 you mention the merengue that gets brought up in Carnaval Del Barrio. The main beat in Carnaval is a Bomba variant called “Sicá.” (CongaChops has a good video demoing this th-cam.com/video/tIPZrQynOW8/w-d-xo.html ).
However, there is a part after Usnavi announces Abuela won the lottery where it switches to a pambiche rhythm which is a Domican genre derived from merengue. This is the excerpt played in the "overture."
The two are very similar, and the Piano/Vocal score for In The Heights even says "Frantic Merengue" at this point in the "overture."
I just thought this was a neat point and worth pointing out. Another great video as always!
Oh, thanks for that! Makes a lot of sense. I was unsure, which is why I said the merengue used Carnaval's chord progression.
@@HowardHoMusic Yeah of course! I have the full score for the show plus all the parts, I don't know if you want it or not for your upcoming videos (very excited about btw!)
@@skylerhedblom I've pinned your comment. It's just so cool how much deeper one can go on this.
ALSO...I just saw your channel. Let's talk! Email me.
6th
Graffitti Pete is the only person in the whole show Usnavi tries to keep Sonny away from. He's the only one who doesn't have (that Usnavi can see) a job or a dream. Also, Usnavi's emotional arc with Pete is learning to appreciate an art form he initially sees as trash. META!
Wtfff... I swear LMM always has at least 3 layers of metaphor working at any moment. Hamilton is almost more fun to parse than it is to listen to. And now I feel like going back and watching ITH with subtitles to make sure I didn't miss anything lol.
When I was a teenager, my Abuelita told me that she liked hearing rap music, but it made her nervous that she couldn't understand the lyrics, because she heard that they're usually obscene. So I played her Will Smith. If only I knew about Lin Manuel Miranda back then.
This story made me bawl! thank you for sharing. Love to your Abuelita!
Will Smith was a really good option too! "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper" is what got this white kid from Vermont into rap and hip hop. Then I moved on to the Chronic....maybe don't play that one for your abuelita, lol.
Why did i rap this comment? Idk but I love it
I don't think Lin was rapping when the Fresh Prince was big.
That is so precious. My mom was the same way growing up. Would never let us play any rap/hip hop because she was condition to regard it as music with filthy lyrics. My sister took her to see in the heights and then we had her watch Hamilton. She’s been opening up her appreciation of music, not to mention constantly quoting Hamilton lyrics as she putters around the house.
We will never be satisfied until you make a video explaining EVERY 3 minute increment of ITH. This is amazing, keep up the good work.
Haha...you joke, but I may just do it!
@@HowardHoMusic please do! 😭🙏🏾
I agree! can’t wait for another installment - no pare, sigue! sigue!
🎶I will never be satisfied🎶
There is a German TH-camr who analyses every five minutes of Harry Potter in detail. She for example researches ornaments on clothing, landscape and everything else. Sooo it is possible
It's funny, only someone that is wealthy would say losing a scholarship is no big deal. When you're poor, a scholarship makes or breaks your chances of going to & finishing college-- especially an expensive school like Stanford.
Exactly what I was thinking. Everyone's hopes are riding on Nina, there's tons of stakes.
Totally! If I didn't have my scholarships, I would not be able to go to college. I very much relate to Nina.
Yeah, I found it strange that being able to afford tuition was not seen as high stakes. For me, scholarships were the difference between getting an education and not.
That sentence that losing a scholarship isn’t a big deal is the most disgustingly elitist statement I have ever heard. Like, I want to find and punch this guy levels of appalling. I grew up fairly privileged- white, upper middle class, dads a lawyer- and I would not have able to afford a Stanford education without scholarships. Hell, I wouldn’t have been able to go out of state without my academic scholarship, loans, and work. This is the 21st century, affording college is a fucking nightmare.
I remember an article that came out when Hamilton was literally everywhere that was a pretty basic, "Some people don't like Hamilton," piece, but something that really pissed me off was one of the people interviewed said that a lot of the things that "sound like rhymes" in the lyrics are actually "false" rhymes, and if Lin had spend more time or been more thorough he could have avoided it. And it was just so elitist, because I was reading this knowing that Lin deliberately includes slant rhymes as a stylistic choice to match the musical style he was using, not because he was being lazy- he's actually quite the perfectionist where lyrics are concerned.
Exactly.
Yikes. That quote made me gag. LMM's lyrics are dense and precise. There's a reason his work inspires people to write countless essays.
They really chose to bash slant rhymes. In music. Ridiculous
@@Crazy_Diamond_75 yes--he does a phenomenal job of making things rhyme or almost rhyme while conveying meaning. The content is never subordinate to the rhymes; the two work in tandem to give meaning. That's the mark of an excellent lyricist and composer.
they should just go rewrite every line of hamilton if they think they know all that 🙄
That shot of Bo for self-awareness made me double take to make sure I wasn't just imagining it after watching his 'Inside' too many times.
I was Sonny and Usnavi on the 2nd National tour in 2011 and something that was told to us by Alex Lacamoire was the clave rhythm is used through out all over even in the melodies (easiest example is "LOOK at the FIRE-WORKS" or Kevin singing "ALL MY WORK ALL MY LIFE" is all Clave rhythm.) This was a great video.
Oh cool insight, and straight from the source too!
Damn...I hadn’t considered Spielberg‘s West Side Story would go against In The Heights at the Oscars...I really hope WSS doesn’t squash ITH. Lin’s been trying to get this movie made forever...we already have a WSS film. It looks fantastic but it’s inherently superfluous
You know, it's never a good idea to bet against Spielberg, but I have a feeling ITH will hold its own. But we shall see...
I think, due to who Spielberg is, if West Side Story is at least 'good,' it will trump of ITH.
I like both but I feel like ITH is more relatable and relevant
Well It is a huge flop so far. Oscars? Hahaha please.
@@santitofelipe6283 no it doesn’t. It should be called “We are Latinx and we don’t shut the fuck up about it- The Movie!” I’m Latino and this piece of shit movie doesn’t represent me. Take that Latinx shit and shove it.
Looking forward to your Graffiti Pete video, I feel that character is supposed to represent the misconceptions the audience tends to have, for instance, spoiler:
After Abuela dies, Sonny and Graffiti Pete are seen exchanging money, as in a shady business, but what is happening is so transformative it always brings me to tears.
Yup!
RIGHT
As a songwriter who agonizes over getting my lyrics just right, I actually love LMM's approach...slant rhymes or not...because where his rhymes land with regard to the beat is always so dynamic. Plus, assonance allows him to squeeze every last bit of juice out of a rhyme...often to astonishingly impressive effect. The thing that sets LMM apart is that he _leans into it!_ Assonance isn't something he _settles for;_ it's something he utilizes very intentionally. For comparison, even people who _hate_ Cubism must admit that Picasso's paintings look exactly the way _he_ wanted them. Art that panders to critics' expectations is not art; it's product. Conversely, greatness is often best achieved by doing _well_ that which others afraid to try.
I would like to yell at anyone who thought that Broadway and musicals were not cool before Lin-Manuel Miranda
I'll join you!
In my defense(/lh /hj), while I loved music stuff appearing in movies I hadn't really gotten exposed much to stage musicals enough to get curious and get into a specific one (that then leads to many others), but if you can yell at my younger self to get into musicals years earlier I'd happily join you hksjh
Takes 23 minutes to explain the first 3 minutes of the first song of a musical. Very on brand.
Who’s hyped for the movie? 🤗🙋🏻♀️
Black Latinos have entered the chat ...
23 minutes??!!!!!! This video felt so much shorter
"Nina, while not working is actually a student struggling with her finances at Stanford and has very ambitious dreams."
Only Somewhat true.
"I couldn't work two jobs and study for finals and finish my term paper." - Nina
"Two jobs? You said there was only going to be one." - Mr. Rosario
"It's expensive and the scholarship only covered part of it." - Nina
So not only was she a Stanford student struggling with finances she also worked two jobs.
Yeah, I know I should've phrased it better. I just meant that she wasn't working professionally or full-time. But I get that.
I'm so happy you made this. I've started listening to ITH years ago but there rarely has been any videos of people talking in depth about it in the same way they talk about Hamilton. There are so many references to things like NYC geography and Broadway/latin culture here that I never would've caught on my own, and it's great that that's turned around with channels like yours.
I've learned a lot from this one video and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series! If it ever comes down to it, I would also love to see you talk about how ITH might have changed musically into the movie adaptation.
OH YES, I am definitely talking about all the changes! Please stay tuned.
I know your account from the In the Heights lyric videos! Ha it’s funny to see it somewhere else
@@HowardHoMusic thank you so much for bringing this musical, now movie, into light again. it’s my favorite musical and deserves so much more justice
@@HowardHoMusic I love this! But here's a question: if they say 'I've never been north of 96th St", aren't they saying they've never been in the poorer part of the city? Shouldn't they be saying they've never been south of that street?
Fun fact, when you mention how Lin's guiro beat @ 10:55 doesn't drown out the clave, and it in fact compliments it, that's because that's a cumbia beat. It originates from Colombia but is a staple of a lot of Latino-Caribbean music.
Good to know! Thanks!
Needs more likes.
In the Heights is so underated
Here before it becomes popular again with the movie
I know, right? For me, ITH was the gateway.
I mean, I wouldn't call a musical that won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Musical underrated...
@@PkmnMstr10 well underatef anf overshadowed now by Hamilton
Honestly i only found out about this after Hamilton-
@@UlmDoesAnything same
I couldn’t afford to buy the cast recording in college about 7 years ago and I just bought it today. After I watch the movie maybe I’ll buy the movie soundtrack.
ThErE's No StAkEs In DrOpPiNg OuT! Ugh. You can tell stuff about how that movie exec was raised... never knew the pressure to get into a good college and graduate "on time"... we get it, sir, your daddy's connections landed you a job so your unmotivated butt's $h!t grades couldn't hold you back (yeah I'm mad and I need to go to bed lol)
Totally. It's infuriating. But unfortunately, not uncommon.
Yeah it reeks of a lot of privilege. In my experience, it’s one of the most common, very high stakes things young adults deal with.
That also reminded me of when my boyfriend’s parents asked why he had to come to my graduation. It’s “just college graduation” to affluent families. They never doubted their kids would graduate college, but it isn’t a given where I come from, it’s a big accomplishment!!
Yo I graduated college over a decade ago (first in family), did find a job, and still had nightmares about not graduating almost 10 years after the fact. Every spring, around commencement, one vivid nightmare.
I'm Half Puerto Rican an raised in America. I don't look Hispanic like my brothers, but I cannot stress how much this musical shook my core. I've always been down heartened by the fact I never got to embrace the culture like the rest of my moms family, I've never even been to Puerto Rico like my full Puerto Rican Brothers. I don't even know Spanish that much. But yeah this just really hits different. I feel connected to a hidden part of me when I'm listening to the soundtrack, and I love it. Lin connected me to my history yet again. First Hamilton and now ITH. (Yes I might have been slow to the band wagon but cut me some slack I'm not up to date with Broadway shows) Can't ever thank him enough.
15:28 that very very early use of Bo's Inside as an example for self-awareness was smooooth.
Just a few hours after this video premiered, WB put the whole opening song of the movie online. How fitting.
I KNOW!
hey! great video :)
wanted to add two things:
1) Don't know if you're aware of this, but the "no pares, sigue, sigue" lyrics and rythm are from "Tiburón" by Proyecto Uno, a merengue band from New York made up of dominicans (like Usnavi). The song is very well known throughout spanish-speaking countries in latin america.
2) the Güi in Güiro is pronounced like "we".
Looking forward for the rest of your videos!
Oh cool! Thank you for that.
Don't mind me, I'm just here to leave the link of such an iconic jam (or like some us say it, "un clasicazo") that is "Tiburón": th-cam.com/video/4Qy0vs80T5M/w-d-xo.html
Seriously need like 18 more videos just like this about ITH and all musicals, thank you!!
I may end up doing that!
@@HowardHoMusic I love your content and I love musicals so thats a win win for me! Srsly this video made me cry, I hope Lin sees it and loves it too.
Something else I noticed was how when the cast members sing "In The Heights I can't survive without cafeee" Usnavi sings immediately afterwards "I serve Cafeee".
This can show how Usnavi and his mom and pop's stop n shop are really vital to the community as a whole - more than he realizes until the end.
And another thing to think about is what would have happened if Usnavi left? Who would they get their life-sustaining "cafe" from? Well, if we're talking about gentrification, it's highly possible a big name brand like, oh I don't know, STARBUCKS might move in there. We know that in real life when Lin Manuel went back to Washington Heights he saw a Starbucks in the area where there used to be small shops like the one we see in In the Heights. Maybe he wanted to create an image of a world where rather than gentrification, the culture and community of Washington Heights remained strong .
Oh, that's good.
wow its amazing
I was privileged enough to get the opportunity to play Usnavi for my senior year of hs :,) I love Hamilton but In the Heights is just WOW
omg this video is so well done!! As a latina myself I couldn't get more excited (and also kinda worried but that's another story) with latin cuture becoming mainstream. Great job!
fellow Latina also beyond excited and also a little worried!
@@LarrySonOfMilton irk!! I'm afraid latin culture will suddenly become trendy or something and gentrification will get worse :( Where you from btw?
I'm Indonesian American and I've been wanting for so long to see stories told by indigenous artists and artists like my Mexican friends and Ukrainian friends. It's so interesting to hear but completely understandable that you guys feel trepidation. Having your stories and cultures hijacked and whitewashed would suck, and sadly that's the modus operandi in America
I'm not even any type of american but it's still so refreshing to see a different culture represented on the big screen (different from the usual american movies) and have it done well
I love Hamilton but I LOOOOOVE in the heights, I've gotten teary already in this video twice and I only 7 minutes in. SO EXCITED for the graffiti Pete video and any others about in the heights!
The amount of information you’re breaking down in this video is blowing my mind, it’s also opening my eyes to my own culture. A+ Howard Ho, please keep making these amazing videos. We’ll watch no matter what you put out.
I am so, so, SO happy you made this.
I have nothing to add. This is SO thorough and well done. Thank you.
I had a day analyzing In the Heights in a class I taught this past semester. Wish this video was around 2 months ago! My students would have loved it. I'll make sure to keep it in mind for the future!
Okay the fact that you included the nonbinary percentage in the attendee statistics made me really happy, thank you for that
i come from a family of musicians who play salsa exclusively, and to hear that someone, let alone a whole group of people, would think that the "clave" is a reference to "America" was just shocking. i was like :OOOOOOOO
I would also theorize that the absence of a traditional overture grabs the attention of people new to musical theater or anyone who may not always appreciate an orchestral opening, especially for musicals that become films, such as In the Heights, bringing in a whole new audience. A surprising amount of people new to the genre lose interest/focus during the overture or think musical theater isn't for them.
I was just reading that when Lin did West Side Story as a high school student Sondheim came to talk to him and his fellow performers about creating the show. Sondheim even played and sang alternate song versions that were discarded and explained why. That was when Lin decided that this was what he wanted to do with his life. When Lin won the Tony for In the Heights he thanked Sondheim in his acceptance speech and quoted lines from Sunday in the Park with George.
I saw a touring production of In the Heights in 2011/2012 and I absolutely fell in love with it. Hamilton is on another level but I’m glad ITH is also getting more attention. LMM just kills it every time
Really awesome analysis. Thank you.
I’m not sure about dismissing Bernstein’s use of the clave… the triplets take over, and the song is about the Americanization of Puerto Ricans. He was certainly well capable of musical symbolism.
To be clear, I meant no disrespect. Bernstein's aim was to use the clave as a reference, and I LOVE references. I even made two videos about all the theatre references in Hamilton. Bernstein is a personal hero of mine, so I am not disparaging him at all!
so excited
True
it feels so surreal to see someone who isnt latino talking about latin american/immigrant culture. like by no means would i consider the inclusion of mamey or parchita (what my country calls parcha) so significant, but that's bc these things are also very mundane to me. this isnt meant to be a negative comment or anything. just me making random remarks
I'm similiar to Lin in being the child of immigrants too, so I can relate on that level. And yes, those details are mundane, which I think is the whole point. We're getting a glimpse of an average day for people in this neighborhood, so it's all about seeing their authentic, mundane lives. But I agree it's probably weird to hear me talk about it, since I have no background in it. I just did my best to get things correct. Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!
In fact, mamey/zapote is a freakishly missing ITEM in any supermarket in the USA unless you go to a local Spanish-type supermarket like Bravo Supermarket. I love mamey shakes. I literally have to hunt it down at a Dominican-owned supermarket 😩😫😭... It's worth a treasure filled chest when I do find it in the frozen aisle by my favorite "La Fe" brand... Hahaha, it's the BEST!!!!!!
It is so mundane to us but think about how much you see the mundane for us in the common media??? It’s almost weird when it’s seen outside of our little bubbles
Dude I should have known you'd bust out an In The Heights series in conjunction with the movie. Can't wait- for both the movie and the videos
What a great video. Very nicely edited, with great musical and cultural references that really make you realise the depth to which Lin and other Broadway composers put into their music. I was very disappointed when it ended, it felt like it just started, thanks.
More on the way! It won't be long now...
Concerning the comments on rhyme schemes and what makes a good rhyme: I tend to think even though Shakespeare didn't write for musical theater (e.g. opera, which wasn't around in his time) it seems to me he used a lot of the same types of rhymes then that rappers use now.
Interesting. I wonder if someone has done an analysis of Shakespearean rhymes and if they are generally perfect or slant.
@@HowardHoMusic I believe it's very difficult to be sure because the accent has changed so much in 400 odd years. Shakespeare is generally performed with Received Pronunciation but some scholars believe it was originally performed with an accent similar to that found in parts of Ireland or perhaps Yorkshire [so that only leaves us with about 5 main accents to choose from in Ireland alone!]....which would dramatically change the vowels and transform a lot of slant rhymes into perfect ones.
And that's before we start on differences in syllable stress, and different consonant pronunciations [r, th and s being the main offenders], intonation patterns, the fact that English as a language was just wrapping up a few centuries of absolutely massive linguistic upheaval....
I love all your analysis because it allows me to learn so much about stuff I love without needing to figure it out myself - It helps me appreciate everything so so much more and I can't express how grateful I am for this channel and all you post. Thank you
*bo burnham’s reaction-reaction* me: I understood that reference.
Also, I’m crying after watching this video. It’s simply somethig too good talking about something- too good.
Love how you used a shot of Anthony Ramos from 21 Chump Street
Me too! To me, he'll always be the guy from 21 Chump Street.
so so so so so very excited you're talking about this and can't wait for all of your analyses of In the Heights. I've watched your Hamilton videos almost as much as I watched Hamilton since it has become available on Disney+ so I am really looking forward to this series about ITH
this video is incredible! you need to
submit this as a doctoral thesis! i’m a lifelong broadway goer, theatre major, stage manager and you connected thing i literally had to rewind and watch again because i was so shocked at the genius connections and explanations. fucking incredible! i cant wait to
watch all your videos
Why yes, I will accept your offer for an authentic slime tutorial. Thank you muchly!
The algorithm is a week late in sending this to my suggested vids list, but I’m still rejoicing because ITH has now officially received the Howard Ho-down & I’m so here for it.
Saw the movie at an early screening and it's so good y'all.
I hadn't seen or heard any music from the OG play, just to let you know, but I loved it.
great video!! i loved how in depth it was 🥺🥺 god i’ve loved this show since 2009 and i’m so happy it’s getting the love it deserves
Just watched this and I feel like a better person! I loved it, it was sad, I was crying, it was happy, I was laughing. So much emotions I just cant explain it! Loved it💖👍
This is the specific kind of nerdy shit I live for.
Preach!
Howard, you got me all excited to see this! I loved this deep dive. Keep 'em coming!
I love this analysis and breakdown so that we can have a deeper appreciation of Lin as an artiste. Mamey is what we call Naseberry in in Jamaica, also home of reggae & its derivative, dancehall.
Thank you for this.
I thought I'd seen everything on this show, but your analysis of the opening of In The Heights is fascinating.
Gives me even MORE respect to Lin's craft, as well as his respect for his heritage & Broadway. 🤓
(Hope to see more in this series! 😉)
Maaaaaaaan! I can sit and listen to your analysis all day! Give us more! 😁
Brilliant video as usual, Howard!
Also I managed to catch a sneak preview of the movie and I LOVED IT!! So 10/10 would recommend catching it!
This is amazing, thank you! I've never seen the musical so I'm extremely excited to watch this as a movie.
Such a cool video! I'm really excited for this series (and to see the movie, oh my gosh)!
Just a quick thing - assonance and slant rhymes aren't necessarily interchangeable with each other. Assonance is more like alliteration with vowel sounds, so it requires that repetition, which, with as much internal rhyming as Lin does, means that sometimes there are a bunch of instances of assonance going on at one time, like in the example you showed (and in "past patiently waiting..."). But if you rhymed, say, "moon" and "doom" with each other as the last syllables of lines in a sonnet and didn't have the "oo" sound pop up repetitively in the 20 beats between the two, that's still a slant rhyme, but it wouldn't be assonance. It's a little like squares and rectangles; assonance makes slant rhymes, but slant rhymes don't always have assonance. I hope this isn't too nitpicky; like I said, I really enjoyed the video, I just wanted to point that out.
Thanks for the clarification.
ITH is EVERYTHING!!! Thank you for recognizing this!! And great analysis.
💯It completely changed my life too!
Well done, Howard. How lucky for the movie that you did this analysis. Compelling! And now you've got a producer and a researcher? Oy!
Thank you, sir! It takes a village...
in the 10 years I lived in Inwood (2008-2018) I saw Lin 7 times catching the A train to Inwood Hill Park to walk his dog and write.
It's Quiet Uptown has never failed to make me cry cz it was and is literal for me, due to a personal tragedy 💔❤️
I loved this. Good to see this great play receiving a bit of love. I'm looking forward to the next videos! great job!
OMG I am like a mega heights fan and this really increases my hype fore the movie! Thank you!
Yes, In The Heights is so incredible!
I love the music so much... And I have no idea what is said when they sing in Spanish.
You know, me neither. But it hasn't stopped me from enjoying it yet!
@@HowardHoMusic the spanish lyrics are translated on genius! give em a read if you get the chance ive always thought it was impressive that lmm could rhyme different languages
The unique overture via the radio station is genius
As an Argentinian, I can't help but feel identified, and I loved your video.
I never saw the Heights, but after seeing this I will definitely will. From destroying ( in my perspective, horrendous(i sad it right?)) stereotypes to mini roasting the audience.
I can assure you, a lot of my folks would, with a full smile, roast the audience, more if we make the assumption that they think we're all narcos or something.
I also loved your point with the clave, when i heard that sound i immediately think of Latinoamerican music, and of how my teachers would teach us about these instruments.
I didn't even knew people though of them as you told. And it's great to see Lin reclaiming that sound.
AND DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE "EVERYBODY'S GOT A JOB, EVERYBODY'S GOT A DREAM" AHSGHWHSAHA.
Such a simple truth that a lot of people ignore thanks to these stereotypes. And how People like Graffiti Pete are treated this way in my country too!
I'm definitely running to see the whole musical, and the movie.
Thanks you so much for making this video, i probably wouldn't have even know in the Heights existed.
(Also sorry for any grammatical errors, or confusing words, as English is not my first language and sometimes I mix Spanish with English in a weird way)
Edit: (I also know that this may not be exactly for people from South America but even if it's not, I still feel identified and connected a lot, Wich amazes me and yeah, thank you again!)
This was so well researched and analyzed. Thank you for providing all the links to your sources in the description!
I watched the first 8 minutes of In The Heights today (a permire) and it was amazing! I'm so excited!
As a Mexican, I believe the condensed milk bit from Abuela Claudia comes from the experience of many latinos that grandmas and mothers always have a very specific and homemade recipe or mix to fix any problem, and they always work!
I just learned that it's actually Lin's own grandma's recipe.
@@HowardHoMusic Oh that's nice! I remember my grandma used to make a weird tea for me and my sister to combat any illnesses we had and it always made us feel better! Maybe the recipe for these concoctions is grandmotherly love?
The quality, editing, and content of this video is amazing 💯
First timer to this channel.
Excellent break down.
Very much looking forward to exploring your archives...
Thank you. & continued success !!!!
Really looking forward to the series on ITH! With regards to synthesis, I think you might be looking for the word synthesist rather than synthesiser? Anyway, great work!
Haha...I just learned a new word from you!
@@HowardHoMusic it's a term from philosophy, so I thought it fit! I suppose I just read a book in which Pico della Mirandola is a character - he's a renaissance scholar who tried to unify Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Plato's philosophy into one big theory. He's pretty much the ultimate synthesist, but Lin definitely has the same spirit, I think!
I will use this and other videos of your channel as part of my research for writing my own musical piece. Thank you for your hardwork.
Having grown up on TH-cam, access to information was never more than a few seconds away. But watching this video and all of his videos, multiple times made me realize the amount of information in these videos. College level concepts but explained clearly thanks to Howard. I loved music but never knew anything about it’s composition, or broadway. I click on one video and a few months later I’m re listening to everything I’ve ever heard. Amazing channel. Hoping everyone gets something out of them.
I had the first video essay about In The Heigjts on TH-cam. Very happy to finally see someone else not just do it, but do it way better 😉
Hey, I appreciate that, but seriously the more the merrier! We all have valuable perspectives to bring here. I'm checking your video out now too.
@@HowardHoMusic oh whoa, thanks so much Howard! You are everything professionally and artistically that I could ever hope to be, but I lack the education in music theory you spent a lifetime accumulating. I am more than happy to leave that need for expertise to you, and I am humbled by your mere acknowledgement of my video. Honestly, I personally worked the hardest and put the most passion and love into that video, it is in my opinion the best video essay I ever made and the most reflective of what my dream for video essays was. I am glad that one is the one which you'll see. I released it 2 years ago this July in anticipation of this day, when the movie would come out. Never would I have thought it would take 2 full years to reach the engagement from the movie's release and accompanying youtube videos that would follow which it is getting today, but it's rebirth along with what the last 18 months of my life have looked like gave inspired me. I'm coming back to video essays right now, as soon as I get home today I'm starting work on one of the many scripts I've had sitting around for years, I hope to maybe hold a candle to the brilliance of your channel one day.
I love these videos, the connections you make sound insane on paper, but man do you sell them well and suddenly I can't unsee them
This is so cool! I haven't listened through the whole ITH soundtrack because I have to have a translated lyrics tab open to understand the Spanish but I love the opening number, Breathe, Inutíl (I hope the accent is correct), and 96,000. Also thank you for talking about the A Train reference. As a non-American I didn't get the musical theatre connection (and barely got the New York one).
I saw ITH in a local production it was AMAZING. Made me cry. The movie changed a lot about the story, but also nothing? A bit extra character development, which I don't think you could do in a stage production. And it's just so good
Watching this again and just admiring the high school Usnavi KILLING IT! Great job!
No idea why I wasn't subbed to you after the Hamilton content, but I'm here now! Amazing video, please do more about IDH it's so underrated
Thanks for the sub!
I love this so much! Let's you appriciate Lin's skills and talent even more
There is always a moment when I'm watching these videos and my brain goes:
"I'm beginning to think that Lin didn't really intend so many hidden details...
...Or did he?"
Haha...I feel you. I mean, it's always tempting to think someone just got lucky or didn't think it through too much. That's why I tried to show as many clips and quotes of Lin as possible to show he's saying it, not just me. Also, the annotated book of IN THE HEIGHTS is coming out soon, so that should reveal a lot about his intentions as well.
You might want to wait until after the movie for that Graffiti Pete video... some slight differences in his role in the story
Actually, that's exactly what the video will be about...the changes to his character and how it affected the story. Trust me, I got you.
@@HowardHoMusic Oh neat! That’s cool to hear
I can't wait to see a whole new series about In the Heights now. So good!
Funnily enough, the first 3 minutes of the film change a LOT compared to the original! (Though single parent Kevin Rosario is arguably introduced just after the 3 minute mark)
This is the type of content that makes TH-cam amazing
As someone who lives in the intersection of Broadway nerd and research nerd, I really appreciated this!
Very moving breakdown. Thank you for sharing.
!:53 One of my friends came out as enby a few weeks ago, and I'm going to send them this. Good job on Broadway for recording statistics outside of gender norms.
Awesome analysis!! When I watched your Hamilton videos I was hoping you'd do the same for In the Heights. Here we are!! I'm hype for your videos.
What I want now is Lin reacting to these, Honest Trailers-style!
There are a lot of movie musicals coming out this year.
Yup, isn't it great!
@@HowardHoMusic it’s getting me back to the theater
great video! i expect in the heights movie to be good, finally a musical movie that's not a COWARD about being a musical... they seem to have added a framing device to justify the tone of musical theatre magical realism, which... ok, sure. it's better than ruining the tone like other modern musical movies (les mis 2012, cats 2019, etc)
I'm surprised they didn't change the line at 19:03 for a high school production, my high school always bowlderised the swearing out of our musicals
Right? It's a charter high school, so maybe their rules were different.
@@HowardHoMusic I hate when they make people change out real language folks use day to day into fluff. Plus it's always such a head hop. ugh.
It largely depends on the director and the overall demographic of the community they're catering to. If they feel they can get away with it, or more appropriately, know it shouldn't really be considered a big deal because it's part of an art form, they'll let it stay in.
One example of this creative license being taken to the next level was in a production of Fame I saw in which the actor who played Tyrone was allowed to drop the n-word in a line. In a school district where the demo is mostly minorities and words like that can be heard from time to time, maybe you'd get a few raised eyebrows. But allow that to happen in an upper class/privileged district, you are clearly the kind of person who WANTS to watch the world burn and you'll be having conversations with superiors on Monday.
Will be really interested to see how you break ITH down further. After seeing the movie, my family agreed that the storylines/themes would work better for us on stage rather than screen. But your explanations on the music and rhythms are universal so this was a good video.
I hope you get to see it on stage soon!
Please add captions! This is wonderful.
cool video! i am no longer going to be making jokes about "get to the grey theme already" because that was a weird parasocial relationship thing of me to do. i mean i'm still entirely in the dark about the musical connection between farmer refuted, meet me inside, cabinet battle 2, blow us all away, and your obedient servant, and i would love to find out, but the bit of me nagging you for the grey theme every video was never very funny. instead i would like to thank you for the fact that lin manuel miranda has seen my full legal name (because you featured that comment in the 10 duel commandments video that he later tweeted), and also tell you that i have cited two of your videos in a university level essay
Aw, now I feel really bad. I guess I should just tell you about the connection as far as I see it. The connection is that...they are not really based on chord progressions, or at least not chord progressions that are repeated in other songs. Some of them, I believe, are actually Lin's original demos flushed out. I hope that can put your mind at ease about the grey theme. Sorry for the distress!
@@HowardHoMusic ah ok thanks! to be clear there wasn’t really “distress” just a background level of “?????” at the mystery, the tone of the comment is that way because it’s foremost an apology for acting weird and entitled to content
Also tangientally related I figured out why the comment featured in the 10 duel commandments video is now nowhere to be found: TH-cam shadow deleted it for containing a cuss word
WHAT!?!? I can't believe they would do that. I mean, that's one of the best comments ever. Also, you didn't need to apologize at all. I always found the comments a nice reminder that my work has an impact.
I love this! so glad to have discovered you!