I like the “Hamilton doesn’t hesitate,” line in this song because it sets up a reason for Burr to fire during the duel. Of course he would expect Hamilton to shoot him as someone known not to hesitate. Burr had to fire.
Lin Manuel Miranda said it perfectly: "All their lives, Aaron Burr was cautious and Hamilton was rash. And in the one second where it mattered, Burr was the rash one and Hamilton was cautious."
Leslie Odom's ability to mesmerize and command the stage while remaining so still and even closing his eyes never ceases to amaze me. Just another moment of the brilliance that is Hamilton.
Yes. It's the stillness that's so mesmerizing. A listener almost stops breathing, watching this character doing the same, unmoving, waiting with almost superhuman self control. Contrast this with Daveed Diggs' characters who are all over the stage like chaotic pinballs.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I don't think Burr is the villain, he is the antagonist in the sense that he is the counter to the protagonist but he isn't evil. They are just two people with differing ideals and this song clearly shows that. They both respected each other to a degree, but life set them on opposing paths leading to their final confrontation where both abandoned who they were at the beginning and lost everything due to this.
leslie, in my opinion, is the best performer in hamilton. he has his ups and downs as burr; you can feel every emotion he conveys seep through him. he's incredibly talented and he sings beauitifully. him and renee stole the stage, and cpativated my heart.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I don't mind at all getting to spend 15 minutes appreciating the absolute brilliance of that number and Leslie Odom Jr's pure excellence. My God he is so damn good.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I love how at the end with that last chorus he finally expresses movement and then remembers that's not how he is supposed to be, and there is an almost imperceptible shake of his head like clearing his thoughts, and he stills himself again and says, wait for it. Leslie Odom jr is unbelievable.
Hamilton’s soundtrack is so perfectly good that years after watching it on stage, I still listen to it randomly and re discover new songs that I may not have appreciated the first time around.
This is my favorite song from Hamilton hands down, and one of my favorite songs from any musical. Tears and chills every time I hear it. I agree with your assessment of how this humanizes Burr-with this number Lin-Manuel Miranda made it almost impossible not to empathize with Aaron Burr because who hasn’t also identified with the lyrics at one time or another? And combined with Leslie Odom Jr’s musicality…ugh, it’s just so brilliant.
It is amazing how well we sympathize with the villain of the story. Every time I see this show, I am rooting for Burr because he did the same things Hamilton did, but Hamilton just got there first. Also, he just gets shut down and no one is willing to listen to him which makes him joining Jefferson and Adams makes sense. They were willing to let him join and have a voice. This song was always my favorite. I also love how much it relates to real stories of people of color and how the children are responsible for continuing and fulfilling their parents’ legacies to only be stomped on by people to get there.
The whole point of Burr is that he never lets anyone know what his real feelings and opinions are. He won't commit to anything, because that might close the door on opportunities if he sticks his neck out and it doesn't go his way. The only one stiffling Burrs voice is Burr.
10:50. This is the exact reason this song sticks with me so much (besides the fact that it's a BANGER!😁) I've felt this way my whole life. I slowly came to terms with the idea that my journey is just different from those around me. I don't see the world the same way. I gotta do things at my own pace, in my own way, without feeling shame for it. And this year I feel like things are finally starting to bare fruit. "I'm not falling behing or running late/I'm not standing still, I am lying in wait"
I love the syncopation. The piano beats vs the claps and the chorus vs Burr. Leslie plays with the phrasing so well . Sometimes he’s a bit ahead, sometimes he slows it down a smidge. And the different ways he deals with the word “wait”. It’s so good. And the songwriting on this is brilliant. I watched Leslie on TV years back. Much of his physicality and stoic personality seems like it’s organic to him, but this is another level.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
So I heard you say in your Alexander Hamilton video that "whenever an actor is on stage, they're showing the audience who their character is" and I realized that Leslie choosing to stand still and do nothing and having to try really hard to stay stoic and in one place symbolizes Burr's character. Burr is more methodical and cautious than Hamilton because he has a legacy to protect while Hamilton is creating one for himself so while Burr wants to be in on the action he has to think a lot and mull over his decisions while Hamilton just acts. Leslie is showing that Burr stands still until the time feels right to make a move.
I love this song so much! 🥰😌 the whole musical, the choreography, the simplicity and complexity behind all of it. So carefully and masterfully executed, along with the music and lyrics. It's pure magic.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
Marc, I like you will NEVER tire of Hamilton. Never ever. There's so much to unpack. In each and every song. Thank god they filmed the original cast. I am so very grateful. Yes, the hardest thing is to do nothing, and Leslie is brilliant at commanding the stage with just the slightest movement, the quietest voice. He's so amazing. I can watch this over and over. I was a performer who, due to illness, can no longer perform, so now I just love to watch all these videos. You're one of my favorite reactors. I like to listen to your commentary. Even when you're wrong, LMAO!!
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
@@MarcDanielPatrick Check my reply, it should be the first one, to your phantom music of the night with ramin karimloo and sierra bogess. Thought you were a teensy bit wrong there. Very rare that I disagree with you, lol!
Same here. I was watching/listening to it at least once a day before I moved in with my daughter. The kids aren't old enough for it, so I don't get to indulge as much now.
How the music stops after „when they died they left no instructions“. It is not just that the next verse is even more clear, the music gives the singer guidance and almost instructions so to make that clear the music stops and he has to know what to sing and what note to hit all by himself!!! I love this whole musical!!!! Ahhhhh😍
I think the scene at the beginning really illustrates the complete difference in their personalities. Hamilton can’t comprehend a situation where he allows things to just happen as they will around him. To him there is no other option than to do everything he can to get what he wants. He’s filled with a limitless ambition, probably in part due to his rough upbringing. Meanwhile Burr, although an orphan too, was well off and didn’t have to struggle in the way Hamilton did. So he’s more content to just let the chips fall where they may while he watches. He has no skin in the game so to speak.
I agree. When I started to listen more closely and dig deeper into the story, the writing, the characters, that was when I feel in love with this musical. Now I am obsessed with it. It’s such a fine piece of art. Absolutely great writing, music, choreography and performances. Stunning 🤩
I thought I saw you doing this one again, so glad, it deserves it. This, satisfied and The Room where it Happens are by far the most impressive songs in this whole musical. I hope you revisit them all!
This musical is a masterpiece !!! LMM is a genius.The music,the wordsmith,the casting,the choreography,the lighting ,..There is so much packed into almost 3 hours that it has to be seen,multiple times to find all the hidden gems.I love watching reactions to Hamilton as we can all help each other to find the hidden gems.I do not believe there is such a thing as too much. When it was announced that Disney was going to film the play due to our shared experience that was Covid being able to watch Hamilton was a gift .I am unable to say what my favourite song is ,since it changes day by day,nor who my favourite actor was,but Leslie Odom Jr was certainly beyond amazing.
Among the many accomplishments of Hamilton is Lin’s commitment to casting actors that maybe are lesser known or said another way, allowing people outside of musical theater to meet these people. I recently found out that Leslie booked his first production at age sixteen; the show was Rent.
This song always gives me goosebumps. When I saw the traveling production I was so worried about how the actor would do with this number. I forget the actors name in the show we saw but he did a good job made it his own. Said friend that went with me to the Hamilton show it was his first musical live show ever. Now he sings this song at karaoke
Years ago, when I was struggling to get up at 4:30am, I wrote an affirmation on a card and posted it on my alarm clock. For 4 years now, every time I want to quit on myself and make excuses for staying in bed until the last minute, I overcome it by reading that affirmation before I hit “snooze”. The affirmation: “I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable. I am an original. I’m not falling behind or running late. I’m not standing still, I’m lying in wait.”
Please keep the Hamilton videos coming. This is my favourite song so much I have lyrics from the song created into two tattoos, It's such a powerful song, shows Burr in a very strong moment showing he does control his destiny however also shows his vulnerability still questioning Hamilton how does he just go for it while I take my time
I really like how Phillipa sings Burn, and Renee sings Satisfied. Lin singing Hurricane is so powerful, as well as the entire cast singing It's quite up town
The choice to do back to back verses when you expect the chorus to come in after the 1st verse to be in line with the theme of waiting for it is so damn clever
First of all, I owe it to you that I subscribed to Disney+ and eventually saw Hamilton. I am of the belief that much is learned seeing/listening to a performance more than once. This particular number reminds me of contrast between Hamilton and Burr. He keeps reinforcing his belief that everything will work out if he keeps waiting. Burr sings, "What is it like in his shoes?" Despite Hamilton’s willingness to take risks and actual achieve, this is not Burr. In a sense, there is a sadness to Burr who so much wants to win/succeed but all he does is think, wait, unable to adapt as does Hamilton. Thank you Mark for another fine class.
The reason this song is my favorite is it has a calypso feel to the music. My father's side r from the west indies doi grew up listening to a lot of this stuff.
I've listened to this, and watched this, so many times...and I cannot avoid holding my breath every single time, that's how powerful this performance is. I also love how 'Wait for It' conceptually is the opposite of 'Non stop' - best way to show how polar opposite the two lead characters are.
Also I'm with you, no matter how many times I hear the musical and this song in particular I'm floored all over again, brought back to that original feeling of 'woah'. One of my favorite things in this song is how controlled leslie is, the first two verses, so constrained, and even when he starts belting "Goddammit, I'm willing to" only to pull it back when he says "wait for it" as if regaining his control, he does it again at the end, "if there's a reason I'm still alive when so many have died I'm willing to--" "wait for it" he is almost screaming to the universe but pulls himself back, restrains, controls, because he won't let hamilton or anyone else push him into getting out of control, he WON'T be like them, he will remember himself, who he is, (inimitable, original) and do it his way.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I'm so glad you're revisiting Hamilton, Marc! This song is amazing, and Leslie does a great job of expressing Burr's internal debate about whether his way is better than Hamilton's. I wonder if Lin gave Burr more humanity that he actually had. I read the Hamilton biography that Lin based the play on, and Burr's way didn't work for him in the course of his life after killing Hamilton. Fascinating. Thanks.
Leslie Odom is mesmerizing. This is my most favorite song of the decade so far. I will tell you, if you've watched the movie, Joker, it's exactly the same, to me anyway!
The control he exhibits even when the music is rising and crashing around him - the fact that he could hold those notes longer and put more force in - but doesn't. He does what's necessary and waits for the next line while the music echos. We never see what his true capabilities are, just as we never saw Aaron Burr's - because he didn't wait when he took his shot in the duel.
Hamilton has these lines that are said in the early part of the first act and then all of a sudden comeback at the middle or end of the show and it’s really satisfying. I think that’s also why Hamilton is a lot easier to sing and learn the lines to imo.
In that last moment, my interpretation was that he had started to allow himself to let go of his stoic demeanor (the "we rise and we fall" section), then reminded himself with the last "wait for it" to remain calm and restrained, to not be like Hamilton. And I agree. I'll never tire of this.
I'm not sure if anyone else has said this, but I have always interpreted Burr repeating "I'll see you on the other side of the war" at the end of the number that precedes this one as an answer to Hamilton's question. He's saying he's waiting for the war to be over, recognizing the natural consequences that could play out of it goes the other way: Theodosia would be branded as a traitor to the Crown. He loved her (selfishly, considering the affair) enough to want to spare her that uncertainty, and that potential fate. Once America wins, and the British troops return home, it's likely many loyalists would go with them, leaving Theodosia to decide her own future. Which she did.
Bonus Round: When Burr sings "I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable, I am an original" and closes his eyes, my headcanon is that he's remembering things his mother and/or father have ingrained in him. Like he's repeating their words in order to boost his confidence in his actions or lack thereof. He even subtly nods his head, as if he found a center in himself, in those echoed words, before he reopens his eyes.
What shows the true rivalry between Hamilton and Burr is how Burr doesn't even break when his love is mentioned but once he mentions Hamilton he just breaks and raises his voice,which shows how Hamilton has really affected his life thereon
It’s worth watching your commentaries just to see your passion for this work, and your appreciation of it. In watching it and hearing it again this time, I like the way the minor key off the top of the song signals the tone of what’s to come. One of the things that makes this in any great work special is how thematically driven all of the songs are. Every song is saying several different things in sub text. In this instance “ sinner, or the saint” he’s talking about both Hamilton’s Legacy and Burr’s legacy. The song is as much about them as it is about his dilemma with his mistress. They both represent a no-win conclusion to the dilemma.
Have you watched the episode of 'Song Exploder' of this song? They interview LMM, the director and the arranager about how they wrote the song and the arrangement choices. It's a brilliant episode.
I love Lin and everything he writes. But it just isn't the same when others sing it, in my opinion it's Leslie's song, the way he sings it is just amazing and stands out from others who play Burr. But than I also have the opinion of an actual family member of Arron Burr. My younger sister has two kids with her first husband Mark. Mark's oldest sister was married to that family member. Mark's brother in law Scott's ancestor was a cousin of Arron Burr. Scott loved the way that Leslie played his cousin. He saw the show on TH-cam before he passed away to cancer a few years after show came to Broadway.
Damn! The conviction and reflection he conveys in this number while staying in a space no bigger than a hula hoop. As you say, Burr is biding his time playing the long game but, in doing so, one must trust in others to not change the rules. Hamilton, on the other hand, knows time is not guaranteed and lives “like he’s running out of time”. He changed the rules, sped up the clock. Time’s up, Burr. They’ve all moved on.
I must be thinking the same as MDP. I’m suddenly into Hamilton again and have actually watched it on Disney a few times after not seeing it in about a year. Something that I can’t figure out though is why does Leslie keep his back to the audience for most of this song? It could be the camera angle that makes me see it this way. But if not, could MDP answer this question for me? I’m really curious. Thanks for the great content ❤
For maybe my other favorite of the ones that you have not done is definitely take a break. I love this song so much I taught myself the third soliloquy. tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day today and so on
thanks for inch by inch line by line analyzing Burr. For me Hamilton shows 2 protagonist and antagonist just depends where the lights focusing. Most of the time i feel like Burr narrating his own legacy and Hamilton just supporting actor to achieve his goal and conclusion in the end.
Maybe do it’s quiet uptown the week of Veterans Day because that is my favorite number from the show and that Monday the seventh is my 21st birthday. I love all your videos.
I don’t know the musical play Hamilton. But I want to. I tried watching the movie when it came out, but I couldn’t seem to get into it. My granddaughter has seen it several times and just fired it, and she’s only 16…..I’m 72! I want to become familiar w/ the music, so when I hear it, I will be familiar w/ it and know it. Most musicals I have to get to know the music first. I just found your channel yesterday, so need to go back and see what I can find out about Hamilton. I enjoy your channel and comments very much. I am looking forward to more.
Thanks so much Anne. If I'm being honest it took me forever to get into it the first time I saw it as well. Its far from your traditional musical, which is what took me so long to love it.
Oh Mark - It took me a year to lose the ear worm of Hamilton songs and now they are back watching your revisits...I still use Wait For It as my ring tone. I just can't pass by without mentioning the amazing video on here showing the Wait For It choreography. Mesmerising th-cam.com/video/xPxvTsSgGds/w-d-xo.html
@MarcDanielPatrick Please react to "In My Head" performed by Andrew Barth Feldman and Joe Serafini. it's such a good song. It gives you that clear broadway musical feeling.
I like the “Hamilton doesn’t hesitate,” line in this song because it sets up a reason for Burr to fire during the duel. Of course he would expect Hamilton to shoot him as someone known not to hesitate. Burr had to fire.
The things I wish I picked up on when filming.. love that
Burr didn’t believe that Hamilton would give up his shot. Hamilton believed that Burr would wait for it.
They were both wrong. 😔
Oh shit!!!!😮
Lin Manuel Miranda said it perfectly: "All their lives, Aaron Burr was cautious and Hamilton was rash. And in the one second where it mattered, Burr was the rash one and Hamilton was cautious."
Leslie Odom's ability to mesmerize and command the stage while remaining so still and even closing his eyes never ceases to amaze me. Just another moment of the brilliance that is Hamilton.
Yes. It's the stillness that's so mesmerizing. A listener almost stops breathing, watching this character doing the same, unmoving, waiting with almost superhuman self control.
Contrast this with Daveed Diggs' characters who are all over the stage like chaotic pinballs.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I don't think Burr is the villain, he is the antagonist in the sense that he is the counter to the protagonist but he isn't evil. They are just two people with differing ideals and this song clearly shows that. They both respected each other to a degree, but life set them on opposing paths leading to their final confrontation where both abandoned who they were at the beginning and lost everything due to this.
leslie, in my opinion, is the best performer in hamilton. he has his ups and downs as burr; you can feel every emotion he conveys seep through him. he's incredibly talented and he sings beauitifully. him and renee stole the stage, and cpativated my heart.
He had downs?
I'd say it's a tie between Leslie and Chris Jackson. Jackson is a straight up Tenor which is incredible to witness live
RIGHTTTTT
I get goosebumps from this performance. Every. Single. Time.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I don't mind at all getting to spend 15 minutes appreciating the absolute brilliance of that number and Leslie Odom Jr's pure excellence. My God he is so damn good.
somehow 15 mins doesnt seem enough
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
Marc if you react to this song 55 times I will watch it 55 times. It’s beautiful and Leslie’s voice and his presentation are both perfect.
2 down, 53 to go
@@MarcDanielPatrick 😂😂😂
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I love how at the end with that last chorus he finally expresses movement and then remembers that's not how he is supposed to be, and there is an almost imperceptible shake of his head like clearing his thoughts, and he stills himself again and says, wait for it. Leslie Odom jr is unbelievable.
Hamilton’s soundtrack is so perfectly good that years after watching it on stage, I still listen to it randomly and re discover new songs that I may not have appreciated the first time around.
"I'm not standing still, I am lying in wait." God, what an incredible line!
This is my favorite song from Hamilton hands down, and one of my favorite songs from any musical. Tears and chills every time I hear it. I agree with your assessment of how this humanizes Burr-with this number Lin-Manuel Miranda made it almost impossible not to empathize with Aaron Burr because who hasn’t also identified with the lyrics at one time or another? And combined with Leslie Odom Jr’s musicality…ugh, it’s just so brilliant.
It is amazing how well we sympathize with the villain of the story. Every time I see this show, I am rooting for Burr because he did the same things Hamilton did, but Hamilton just got there first. Also, he just gets shut down and no one is willing to listen to him which makes him joining Jefferson and Adams makes sense. They were willing to let him join and have a voice.
This song was always my favorite. I also love how much it relates to real stories of people of color and how the children are responsible for continuing and fulfilling their parents’ legacies to only be stomped on by people to get there.
The whole point of Burr is that he never lets anyone know what his real feelings and opinions are. He won't commit to anything, because that might close the door on opportunities if he sticks his neck out and it doesn't go his way. The only one stiffling Burrs voice is Burr.
He gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes every time I watch!
10:50. This is the exact reason this song sticks with me so much (besides the fact that it's a BANGER!😁) I've felt this way my whole life. I slowly came to terms with the idea that my journey is just different from those around me. I don't see the world the same way. I gotta do things at my own pace, in my own way, without feeling shame for it. And this year I feel like things are finally starting to bare fruit.
"I'm not falling behing or running late/I'm not standing still, I am lying in wait"
ME and YOU both!!!
I can relate to this too! I hope this really was your year
I love the syncopation. The piano beats vs the claps and the chorus vs Burr.
Leslie plays with the phrasing so well . Sometimes he’s a bit ahead, sometimes he slows it down a smidge. And the different ways he deals with the word “wait”. It’s so good.
And the songwriting on this is brilliant.
I watched Leslie on TV years back. Much of his physicality and stoic personality seems like it’s organic to him, but this is another level.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
Yes! It's so incredible right?
So I heard you say in your Alexander Hamilton video that "whenever an actor is on stage, they're showing the audience who their character is" and I realized that Leslie choosing to stand still and do nothing and having to try really hard to stay stoic and in one place symbolizes Burr's character. Burr is more methodical and cautious than Hamilton because he has a legacy to protect while Hamilton is creating one for himself so while Burr wants to be in on the action he has to think a lot and mull over his decisions while Hamilton just acts. Leslie is showing that Burr stands still until the time feels right to make a move.
I love this song so much! 🥰😌 the whole musical, the choreography, the simplicity and complexity behind all of it. So carefully and masterfully executed, along with the music and lyrics. It's pure magic.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I never get tired of hearing these! I love Hamilton.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
Marc, I like you will NEVER tire of Hamilton. Never ever. There's so much to unpack. In each and every song. Thank god they filmed the original cast. I am so very grateful. Yes, the hardest thing is to do nothing, and Leslie is brilliant at commanding the stage with just the slightest movement, the quietest voice. He's so amazing. I can watch this over and over. I was a performer who, due to illness, can no longer perform, so now I just love to watch all these videos. You're one of my favorite reactors. I like to listen to your commentary. Even when you're wrong, LMAO!!
Hahah thank you so much. Green light whenever you have a different opinion than me, I wanna hear it
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
@@MarcDanielPatrick Check my reply, it should be the first one, to your phantom music of the night with ramin karimloo and sierra bogess. Thought you were a teensy bit wrong there. Very rare that I disagree with you, lol!
Same here. I was watching/listening to it at least once a day before I moved in with my daughter. The kids aren't old enough for it, so I don't get to indulge as much now.
How the music stops after „when they died they left no instructions“. It is not just that the next verse is even more clear, the music gives the singer guidance and almost instructions so to make that clear the music stops and he has to know what to sing and what note to hit all by himself!!!
I love this whole musical!!!! Ahhhhh😍
I think the scene at the beginning really illustrates the complete difference in their personalities. Hamilton can’t comprehend a situation where he allows things to just happen as they will around him. To him there is no other option than to do everything he can to get what he wants. He’s filled with a limitless ambition, probably in part due to his rough upbringing. Meanwhile Burr, although an orphan too, was well off and didn’t have to struggle in the way Hamilton did. So he’s more content to just let the chips fall where they may while he watches. He has no skin in the game so to speak.
Ya got skin in the game
You stay in the game. 😊
One that makes me cry. It is insanely beautiful.
This is literally everything. By far my favourite song on stage
I agree. When I started to listen more closely and dig deeper into the story, the writing, the characters, that was when I feel in love with this musical. Now I am obsessed with it. It’s such a fine piece of art. Absolutely great writing, music, choreography and performances. Stunning 🤩
I thought I saw you doing this one again, so glad, it deserves it. This, satisfied and The Room where it Happens are by far the most impressive songs in this whole musical. I hope you revisit them all!
Haha its like you're reading my mind...
God i love this musical. Its nice to see someone else who really appreciates it like this too, thanks for your content!
I've been obsessed with Hamilton for months and will never get over how great it is ❤️
Leslie Odom Jr is just amazing
I love watching you watch the video. You are so expressive and you can really see how much you love this.
This musical is a masterpiece !!! LMM is a genius.The music,the wordsmith,the casting,the choreography,the lighting ,..There is so much packed into almost 3 hours that it has to be seen,multiple times to find all the hidden gems.I love watching reactions to Hamilton as we can all help each other to find the hidden gems.I do not believe there is such a thing as too much. When it was announced that Disney was going to film the play due to our shared experience that was Covid being able to watch Hamilton was a gift .I am unable to say what my favourite song is ,since it changes day by day,nor who my favourite actor was,but Leslie Odom Jr was certainly beyond amazing.
And I love that you can’t help singing it, whine you watch it back 🤗
Among the many accomplishments of Hamilton is Lin’s commitment to casting actors that maybe are lesser known or said another way, allowing people outside of musical theater to meet these people. I recently found out that Leslie booked his first production at age sixteen; the show was Rent.
This song always gives me goosebumps. When I saw the traveling production I was so worried about how the actor would do with this number. I forget the actors name in the show we saw but he did a good job made it his own. Said friend that went with me to the Hamilton show it was his first musical live show ever. Now he sings this song at karaoke
My favorite from Hamilton and I will never grow tired of this song either and it was made for LOJ💖Genius
I'll NEVER be tired of Hamilton! Keep it going!!!
Years ago, when I was struggling to get up at 4:30am, I wrote an affirmation on a card and posted it on my alarm clock.
For 4 years now, every time I want to quit on myself and make excuses for staying in bed until the last minute, I overcome it by reading that affirmation before I hit “snooze”.
The affirmation:
“I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable. I am an original. I’m not falling behind or running late. I’m not standing still, I’m lying in wait.”
Please keep the Hamilton videos coming.
This is my favourite song so much I have lyrics from the song created into two tattoos,
It's such a powerful song, shows Burr in a very strong moment showing he does control his destiny however also shows his vulnerability still questioning Hamilton how does he just go for it while I take my time
I watch this number on loop. Odom is an expert..even his commercials are great
I really like how Phillipa sings Burn, and Renee sings Satisfied. Lin singing Hurricane is so powerful, as well as the entire cast singing It's quite up town
I love your love and appreciation for musical theater. Specifically, this show - I hope my obsession is never lifted! 😊❤
🙏
The choice to do back to back verses when you expect the chorus to come in after the 1st verse to be in line with the theme of waiting for it is so damn clever
First of all, I owe it to you that I subscribed to Disney+ and eventually saw Hamilton. I am of the belief that much is learned seeing/listening to a performance more than once. This particular number reminds me of contrast between Hamilton and Burr. He keeps reinforcing his belief that everything will work out if he keeps waiting. Burr sings, "What is it like in his shoes?" Despite Hamilton’s willingness to take risks and actual achieve, this is not Burr. In a sense, there is a sadness to Burr who so much wants to win/succeed but all he does is think, wait, unable to adapt as does Hamilton.
Thank you Mark for another fine class.
I never get tired of this song. It's my favorite earworm lately.
The Lyrics, The Music, The Performance, SO POWERFUL!! Leslie Odom is just Brilliant!!👏🏾💪🏾
Leslie Odom jr is phenomenal! Also nice vid!
This is my absolute favourite song from Hamilton.
Thank you Marc for revisiting Hamilton and this is my favorite.
I can, for real, watch Hamilton everyday.
heh same.
Loved hearing this again, never get tired of Hamilton!
There is a video here on TH-cam where Odom's understudy Sydney James Harcourt sings this song. SJH does an amazing job as well.
As a composer/songwriter, Hamilton is the kind of thing that makes me want to quit, hah. It's just TOO good, and Leslie Odom Jr is incredible.
burr is my favorite character in hamilton. leslie odom's voice is SO mesmerizing he did such a great job playing him
The reason this song is my favorite is it has a calypso feel to the music. My father's side r from the west indies doi grew up listening to a lot of this stuff.
When are they gonna put it on dvd???? Or allow us to download it because I cannot stop watching it
This is a perfect example of how powerful stillness can be in performance.
This entire song brings me to tears and gives me goosebumps. It’s unexplainable how it makes me feel. But 2:06 to 2:50 always hits the hardest for me.
I’m with you! It gets better and better each time I see it!❤
I will never tire of Hamilton.
I've listened to this, and watched this, so many times...and I cannot avoid holding my breath every single time, that's how powerful this performance is.
I also love how 'Wait for It' conceptually is the opposite of 'Non stop' - best way to show how polar opposite the two lead characters are.
Also I'm with you, no matter how many times I hear the musical and this song in particular I'm floored all over again, brought back to that original feeling of 'woah'. One of my favorite things in this song is how controlled leslie is, the first two verses, so constrained, and even when he starts belting "Goddammit, I'm willing to" only to pull it back when he says "wait for it" as if regaining his control, he does it again at the end, "if there's a reason I'm still alive when so many have died I'm willing to--" "wait for it" he is almost screaming to the universe but pulls himself back, restrains, controls, because he won't let hamilton or anyone else push him into getting out of control, he WON'T be like them, he will remember himself, who he is, (inimitable, original) and do it his way.
Thank you so, so much for reacting to this song/video. I saw Hamilton 15 times by waiting 1 to 4 days in the cancellation line. Most of the times, I saw the musical by way of standing room only or the in-person lottery. A couple of time times, I was able to see it it from the front row. The 2 songs/performances that were my my favorite were "Wait for it" and "The World wasn't wide enough for you and Me" Leslie Odon Jr. stole the show...so to speak. This is why he beat Lin and all the other actors for the Tony's best Actor
I'm so glad you're revisiting Hamilton, Marc! This song is amazing, and Leslie does a great job of expressing Burr's internal debate about whether his way is better than Hamilton's. I wonder if Lin gave Burr more humanity that he actually had. I read the Hamilton biography that Lin based the play on, and Burr's way didn't work for him in the course of his life after killing Hamilton. Fascinating. Thanks.
Mmmm "more humanity than he had", its an interesting debate yea?
I will never tire of Hamilton !!!
😂
Leslie Odom is mesmerizing. This is my most favorite song of the decade so far. I will tell you, if you've watched the movie, Joker, it's exactly the same, to me anyway!
if you haven't already, make sure that you watch the making of 'Wait for it' as part of the 'Song Exploder' show. Amazing!
I never get tired of watching this.
The control he exhibits even when the music is rising and crashing around him - the fact that he could hold those notes longer and put more force in - but doesn't. He does what's necessary and waits for the next line while the music echos.
We never see what his true capabilities are, just as we never saw Aaron Burr's - because he didn't wait when he took his shot in the duel.
my wife interprets the ensemble surrounding him as the shadows of the past.
At the beginning his past and at the end maybe his future connections and hopes waiting for him to move
Hamilton has these lines that are said in the early part of the first act and then all of a sudden comeback at the middle or end of the show and it’s really satisfying. I think that’s also why Hamilton is a lot easier to sing and learn the lines to imo.
The heck with waiting 2 years. I'm not sure I will ever be ready to stop listening.
In that last moment, my interpretation was that he had started to allow himself to let go of his stoic demeanor (the "we rise and we fall" section), then reminded himself with the last "wait for it" to remain calm and restrained, to not be like Hamilton.
And I agree. I'll never tire of this.
I'm not sure if anyone else has said this, but I have always interpreted Burr repeating "I'll see you on the other side of the war" at the end of the number that precedes this one as an answer to Hamilton's question. He's saying he's waiting for the war to be over, recognizing the natural consequences that could play out of it goes the other way: Theodosia would be branded as a traitor to the Crown. He loved her (selfishly, considering the affair) enough to want to spare her that uncertainty, and that potential fate. Once America wins, and the British troops return home, it's likely many loyalists would go with them, leaving Theodosia to decide her own future. Which she did.
Bonus Round: When Burr sings "I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable, I am an original" and closes his eyes, my headcanon is that he's remembering things his mother and/or father have ingrained in him. Like he's repeating their words in order to boost his confidence in his actions or lack thereof. He even subtly nods his head, as if he found a center in himself, in those echoed words, before he reopens his eyes.
What shows the true rivalry between Hamilton and Burr is how Burr doesn't even break when his love is mentioned but once he mentions Hamilton he just breaks and raises his voice,which shows how Hamilton has really affected his life thereon
It’s worth watching your commentaries just to see your passion for this work, and your appreciation of it. In watching it and hearing it again this time, I like the way the minor key off the top of the song signals the tone of what’s to come. One of the things that makes this in any great work special is how thematically driven all of the songs are. Every song is saying several different things in sub text. In this instance “ sinner, or the saint” he’s talking about both Hamilton’s Legacy and Burr’s legacy. The song is as much about them as it is about his dilemma with his mistress. They both represent a no-win conclusion to the dilemma.
thanks so much :)
Have you watched the episode of 'Song Exploder' of this song? They interview LMM, the director and the arranager about how they wrote the song and the arrangement choices. It's a brilliant episode.
Broadway perfection
That chorus gets me every time.
Brilliant performance 😍
I love Lin and everything he writes. But it just isn't the same when others sing it, in my opinion it's Leslie's song, the way he sings it is just amazing and stands out from others who play Burr. But than I also have the opinion of an actual family member of Arron Burr. My younger sister has two kids with her first husband Mark. Mark's oldest sister was married to that family member. Mark's brother in law Scott's ancestor was a cousin of Arron Burr. Scott loved the way that Leslie played his cousin. He saw the show on TH-cam before he passed away to cancer a few years after show came to Broadway.
Damn! The conviction and reflection he conveys in this number while staying in a space no bigger than a hula hoop. As you say, Burr is biding his time playing the long game but, in doing so, one must trust in others to not change the rules. Hamilton, on the other hand, knows time is not guaranteed and lives “like he’s running out of time”. He changed the rules, sped up the clock. Time’s up, Burr. They’ve all moved on.
thanks for this
I'm not standing still. I am lying in wait.
Leslie blew Lin out of the water with his Burr delivery!
The song is genious, the performance is genious.
I don’t think I can get tired of Hamilton
Nobody can ever get tired of Hamilton
I never get tired of Hamilton. I might sound weird for this, but I watch Hamilton once per month
It’s the only reason I keep my Disney+ subscription. Isn’t that crazy? I watch it all the time….
@@lillianfredriksson1890 Same girl. Same!!!💯🎯 I haven’t even watched anything else on Disney+.
I have it on CD and on my phone, it's my go too
I must be thinking the same as MDP. I’m suddenly into Hamilton again and have actually watched it on Disney a few times after not seeing it in about a year.
Something that I can’t figure out though is why does Leslie keep his back to the audience for most of this song? It could be the camera angle that makes me see it this way. But if not, could MDP answer this question for me? I’m really curious. Thanks for the great content ❤
@ Elizabeth - it's the camera angle. 🙂
Could very much be the camera angle. However modern blocking for musicals really allow the actor to use the space as they wish.
hey marc, make sure you correct the spelling of LOJ's last name in this video's description. his last name is spelled odom.
Odom is a star! Burr is pissed with his situation....
For maybe my other favorite of the ones that you have not done is definitely take a break. I love this song so much I taught myself the third soliloquy. tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day today and so on
"Hamilton faces and endless up hill CRIMEEEeeeee" omg i love that line and litte run
Leslie Odom is 🔥 as Burr.
thanks for inch by inch line by line analyzing Burr. For me Hamilton shows 2 protagonist and antagonist just depends where the lights focusing. Most of the time i feel like Burr narrating his own legacy and Hamilton just supporting actor to achieve his goal and conclusion in the end.
Maybe do it’s quiet uptown the week of Veterans Day because that is my favorite number from the show and that Monday the seventh is my 21st birthday. I love all your videos.
I don’t know the musical play Hamilton. But I want to. I tried watching the movie when it came out, but I couldn’t seem to get into it. My granddaughter has seen it several times and just fired it, and she’s only 16…..I’m 72! I want to become familiar w/ the music, so when I hear it, I will be familiar w/ it and know it. Most musicals I have to get to know the music first. I just found your channel yesterday, so need to go back and see what I can find out about Hamilton. I enjoy your channel and comments very much. I am looking forward to more.
That was suppose to say my granddaughter adored it….not fired it.
Thanks so much Anne. If I'm being honest it took me forever to get into it the first time I saw it as well. Its far from your traditional musical, which is what took me so long to love it.
Can you react to “Your Obedient Servant” from the Hamilton musical?
Oh Mark - It took me a year to lose the ear worm of Hamilton songs and now they are back watching your revisits...I still use Wait For It as my ring tone. I just can't pass by without mentioning the amazing video on here showing the Wait For It choreography. Mesmerising th-cam.com/video/xPxvTsSgGds/w-d-xo.html
Can you do room where it happens again?
100%
@MarcDanielPatrick Please react to "In My Head" performed by Andrew Barth Feldman and Joe Serafini. it's such a good song. It gives you that clear broadway musical feeling.
I've seen some of it, i'll look into a reaction sure