The Room Where It Happens - Hamilton - Musician Reaction

[@amandad401]

"I like this. This is a jam!" - Me after every single song in Hamilton.

[@JacobRestituto]

hahahhah

[@3Rachelharper]

Same

[@estrellalyalmonte1770]

Honestly

[@elsx20]

Oh samee

[@SamCel87]

Literally

[@TheMemoMemoMemoMemo]

the performance of Leslie Odom Jr in this Song is so fn unbelievable. deserved every Tony award that night. God bless him 🙏

[@lyannastark628]

I think everything he does in the show is incredible, but this performance was next level. The acting, singing, dancing, all his nonverbals. He is so talented.

[@hbkplayz]

Leslie really does steal the show. It's insane, with so many amazing performances

[@nicolerutherford3079]

It is absolutely amazing! The more I watch it the more I appreciate him as a performer.

[@Idanimowellness]

All of his performances almost made me forgot Aaron Burr is the villain 😂 Leslie is absolutely amazing

[@heather8374]

'talk less, smile more.' is the first piece of advice Burr gives Hamilton in the song 'Aaron Burr, sir.' so to have Hamilton throw it back to him here is an awesome call back.

[@JacobRestituto]

wow!

[@lindseysquire8417]

The brilliance of this song is astounding, because it's true: no one knows how that discussion really went. How, then, do you show that without making things up or being boring? Well, have a character who WANTS to be there, but isn't, narrate. Lin's mind is incomprehensibly, astonishingly great.

[@katiewisz4691]

Fun fact: This is the first Aaron Burr song with a chord progression that resolves.

[@Whatamidoing813]

Because it's the first time he doesn't wait for things and gets things done!

[@violetclover1224]

@@Whatamidoing813 what exactly does Burr get done during this song lol

[@DarkestNova556]

@@Whatamidoing813 Leave out the “Gets things done” and you my friends are correct

[@Whatamidoing813]

@@violetclover1224 well, more like pursues his goals

[@Whatamidoing813]

@@DarkestNova556 more like pursues his goals

[@dlweiss]

Whenever you do watch the actual movie, I'd HIGHLY recommend that you put the captions on for the whole thing. The lyrics come so fast and so dense that it can be easy to get lost in the words, and captions will really help you follow the story all the way through.

[@122991000]

Agreed. I needed the captions lol

[@migueldias9651]

I still have problems with 'Guns and Ships' even with captions

[@deamonscar5952]

Me: *sings the whole musical by memory Everyone else: what did you do to your life

[@Caroline-go7lp]

The capital is in the south, Jefferson and Madison's home region, in exchange for Hamilton's financial plan.

[@JacobRestituto]

interesting!!

[@claudiaperrault1874]

Yea Hamilton traded NYC away NYC as it states in lyrics ,,, we got Wall Street and a financial system

[@jeffy5482]

This is Burr’s “want song”. In most musicals the main characters have a song where they tell what they want, typically early in the first act. But because Burr doesn’t want to ruffle any feathers and “Wait(s) For It”, we finally get his “want song” in the second act. This is about The Compromise of 1790 where Alexander Hamilton agreed to have the Nations capital, which was NYC at the time, further south near Virginia in order to have his debt plan passed. The meeting was done in one room with Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison where they agreed. No one else was there. No one knows what terms REALLY were discussed. Burr finally realizes that he wants to be in the “room” meaning he is done waiting and sitting on the sidelines.

[@leonh.kalayjian6556]

Yeah but Hamilton's I want song is my shot Fitting you have two of these. Actually wait for it is an I want song to o. Its burrs motivation for the first act. Wonder what musicals have than the one song... Has to be with two or three leads.

[@jeffy5482]

@@leonh.kalayjian6556 I don’t consider “Wait For It” as a want song. Even with the title, he’s saying he doesn’t really want anything. He’s willing to wait. Moreover, he’s trying to live up to others’ expectations of who they see him as. In “Wait For It”, Burr sings about the others around him and what they are doing. His legacy was to be as great as he thought they were. He doesn’t say anything other than he will wait. Waiting ≠ wanting.

[@karlwilker579]

@@jeffy5482 Wait For It is more of an I Am song. It's Burr explaining his ideology.

[@TheMemoMemoMemoMemo]

This is the first time Burr says what he wants. he waited for it

[@reerutherford6109]

I love that! That’s a perfect way of putting it!

[@claudiaperrault1874]

The click boom is not only hip hop ,, it also symbolizes Burr shoots and kills Hamilton in duel in new jersey. There are recurring themes as well as music and lyrics throughout the play

[@finleyforevermore]

Also, before he says "CLICK BOOM!", you can hear the piano play a variation of the "Alexander Hamilton" tune.

[@nahtoyou3]

And this is Burr's Disney villain song, Leslie's voice is really well suited for it

[@rachaelkilpatrick9774]

That’s exactly what I think about this song. Love it.

[@_mightyheroes_]

I always thought that he'd make a good Dr.Facilier if they do a live action Princess in the Frog

[@nahtoyou3]

@@_mightyheroes_ 100% agree, he'd be awesome

[@JordanGrant92]

Only in Hamilton's story. In Burr's story he's finally singing his I Want song and I love that we get an I Want so late into the musical.

[@rachaelkilpatrick9774]

Jordan Grant I’d never thought of it like that, makes me love it more, thanks

[@Queen.Symone]

Your ear is AMAZING when it comes to detail. I’ve listened to this song a million and one times since Hamilton first came out and NEVER noticed the vinyl crackle. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@JacobRestituto]

hahah. thanks!

[@lyannastark628]

I love listening to this song, but you really have to see it to really feel it. Especially seeing how pivotal this song is towards Burr's relationship with Hamilton. Burr's face and physical reaction to Hamilton saying "When you got skin in the game, you stay in the game" is permanently imprinted on my brain.

[@MsSera21]

Shout out to Tony Award Winner Leslie Odom Jr

[@JacobRestituto]

legit!

[@douglasrau5094]

This is such an amazing villain song: “I want this and damn anyone who gets in my way….” There’s no turning back now.

[@JacobRestituto]

🔥🔥🔥

[@1jidion]

talk less, smile more, was in aaron burr sir, the 2nd track of the album

[@JacobRestituto]

ahh thanks

[@reneepope-munro8115]

The Room Where It Happens - in the literal sense, the room where the deal was made to trade the Federal Bank in New York for placing the U.S Capitol on the Potomac. That happened behind closed doors over a dinner, and no one really knows how it went down, except those who were in "the room where it happened. On a meta level, it's addressing Burr's desire to be a playmaker. He isn't necessarily sure what he wants or what he believes is right, but he wants to be at the table when it's decided. When Hamilton speaks about what he wants, he talks of his vision for the nation. Same with the revolutionaries like Laurens, Mulligan and Lafayette, same with Washington and Franklin, even Madison. But when Burr asks himself what he wants, what he stands for, his answer isn't ideological or based in belief. He wants to be "in the room, in that big old room". And not just that he wants it, but he needs it - he sees his validation in being given a seat at the table. "Talk less, smile more" was his advice to Hamilton at the beginning of the show, and is really Burr's raison d'etre. The next line though, is perhaps more telling: "Talk less, smile more. Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for". This song is just a masterpiece of storytelling - in the live version you can see the switch in Burr. from wanting it somewhat passively to, I'm gonna make this happen, come hell or high water. He got left in the dust one too many times.

[@ms_scribbles]

One interesting point about the lyrics in this song is how they subtly refer to the fact that Jefferson was known to tweak facts and retellings of events to make himself look better and make his political enemies look worse. Of course, nobody really challenged him on it because, well...he was Thomas Jefferson. It only came up later when historians compared diaries, letters, etc. from other people writing about something that happened and then compared it to what Jefferson wrote in what I suppose you could call his memoirs. So that's why when Jefferson starts talking about what happened, making it seem like Hamilton came to Washington's door, distraught and begging for Jefferson's help, the chorus sings out "Thomas *claims*..." rather than "Thomas says".

[@ms_scribbles]

And yeah, you've got the gist of it. Burr is jealous and bemoaning the fact that Hamilton has the influence to get into a room with Jefferson and Madison and cobble together a compromise where Jefferson and Madison will support his proposal in Congress for a National Bank and to have the federal government take over states' debts in exchange for Hamilton agreeing to support putting the US capital in Virginia. (And on a side note, he's also upset that Hamilton ruined New York City's chances to become the country's capital, though he doesn't seem to get that Hamilton just ensured that NYC would be the *financial* capital of the country, which on hindsight is much better.)

[@junipersr]

It is crazy they had to learn all the lyrics... they had to. I learned them all just because.

[@JacobRestituto]

hahahaha

[@jeffy5482]

Also! You didn’t talk about the fact they use a freaking banjo in this song! It’s truly makes it. Brilliant, BRILLIANT orchestrating.

[@lisaSKZSTAY]

I’ve thought it was a banjo this whole time until hearing it with his ears. Now I’m wondering if it might possibly be ...a ukulele???

[@jeffy5482]

@@lisaSKZSTAY nope. It’s a banjo. 😃

[@nicksmith2010]

From the first time I heard the soundtrack, I always loved the orchestrations backing Hamilton when he says, "When you got skin in the game, you stay in the game." It's just an awesome, low brass sound. By the way, I also really respect his lyrics in this song.

[@jayladavis5987]

It is very cool how they repeat the lines from previous songs, I love this musical

[@ferrous719]

I saw a video where they pulled the titles from each song and played them all, and they all.show up at least a dozen times in other songs

[@austinzimmerman9493]

It really is a lot of lyrics but if you listen to it all the time you’ll get to place where you know them all too😂😂

[@JacobRestituto]

I believe it

[@melbelle9499]

This song is such a pivotal point for the musical- it's where you really see a switch in Burr not wanting to wait for it anymore, while Hamilton quotes him suggesting that he needs to talk less and smile more to get what he wants. In the show, there's a shift in his movements as well. Burr previously only moved in straight lines until this point.

[@mysticwolf99]

I love this song, the rythem is catchy. This vid was truly what I needed after a busy day. Also the line "Talk less, smile more" was from 'Aaron burr, sir', same for "if you stand for nothing, what will you fall for?" so yes you did hear it before :). It does only go downhill but I can't wait for what you have to say on them and the songs at the end.

[@idontknowreally2474]

The "talk less, smile more" is from Aaron Burr, Sir :> It comes up in other songs too, but it's originally from that song.

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh cool

[@carolinehaf21]

Adore the Jazz in this and how the political tension builds to Burr finally snapping and saying he is going after what he wants finally... the drum groove in this is one of the best in the whole play! Jacob - you HAVE to see the choreography and the vocal performance on the Disney live because he becomes so much more passionate in the build up... there is an animation using the Disney live vocals so you can hear the difference but honestly its best to watch Leslies performance its amazing!

[@rachaelkilpatrick9774]

I love this too, especially when Burr goes full Disney Villain.

[@jamesjudge3891]

You missed an instrument. The Banjo is used only in "The Room Where it Happens" and the various iterations of "you'll be back." Lin does uses this motif and instrumentation often to emphasize character and parallel character arcs. Alex Lacamoire is an orchestration genius!

[@ssmccful]

Basically Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison cut a deal behind closed doors (the details are in the song but they don't reallymatter), in the "room where it happens", which is where many big decisions are made. Burr, who has never had a strong position on anything, is seething with jealousy and finally admits to himself that he wants to be in the room where it happens too and resolves to do whatever it takes to be there. He sees that Hamilton gets ahead by "playing the game" and subsequently will start playing the game himself.

[@ibaxterrwoof]

Near the end, in the second last bar: 9:35 If you listen closely you can also hear Alexander's theme with the piano/strings. See if you can hear it!

[@lareeciscomusic2741]

When that banjo kicks in...

[@katesullivan4707]

Jefferson, Hamilton and Madison met alone over dinner and suddenly the capital changed from Albany to what is now DC but they also created what would become Wall Street.

[@jcompton8507]

It wasn't Albany. Under the Articles of the Confederation, the US Capital was rotating between NYC, Philadelphia, Annapolis, Trenton, and Princeton. Once the new US Constitution was established, the Capital was in NYC for less than 2 years and then in Philly for almost 10 years before moving to DC permanently. But all of those cities were in contention for the permanent residence of the Capital.

[@lindseysquire8417]

@@jcompton8507 TORONTO (I always hear someone say Toronto when they do the shouting thing in this song)

[@jrsyjrt1263]

@@lindseysquire8417 I think I read somewhere everyone shouted their hometown.

[@gabbeland14]

Man I love your videos!

[@JacobRestituto]

really pumped to hear that!

[@chrisv.h.2307]

It's interesting there's always this contrast between different hip hop styles in the music and more classical forms-- this song instead brings in a Dixieland jazz (old New Orleans Preservation Hall) style with the banjo, horns, and piano rhythms.

[@bernienelson8926]

I love these videos. We all know that these songs are hella catchy, but it's so interesting to watch someone explain exactly what techniques go into making them that way.

[@alizamyers165]

Essentially the concept of the song is this: Burr has spent his entire career trying to get the power that Hamilton has. In this sequence, they are referencing a real meeting that happened between Hamilton, Madison, and Jefferson where no notes were taken and no record of what was actually said survives. All that is known is that when the meeting started, the issues of the debt plan and the location of the US capital needed to be resolved. By the end of the dinner, each party had agreed to use their influence to further the other’s cause. Burr is jealous that he doesn’t have that kind of power.

[@vbvermont]

I’m learning some new things about the production and I’m always excited when we agree on whether something is a real instrument or a keyboard/sample. And yes, the “talk less, smile more” is a theme that came up early on in the musical. Hamilton talks all the time, sharing his ideas (often through writing) while Burr stays quiet, not giving away too much about how he feels so as not to make enemies but Hamilton always scolds him for it, saying if he stands for nothing, he’ll fall for anything.

[@curly_friez_4_lyfe]

The room in this case is literal the actual room where the cabinet members meet and traded things away, he says no one else is in the room where it happens. This means that no one else knows what they said in that room or what traded cuz no one was their, and he wants to be in that room he wants to be the one trading and making choices

[@Karen-Campos]

That banjo tho!! The choreography of this song is phenomenal. & don’t worry every movement is thought out & moves the story forward just as much as the lyrics and music! It’s been reported that if this musical was “traditional” in nature, it would take 6 hours instead of 2hrs 40 min. That’s certainly a LOT of memorizing! And performing 8 times a week! Leslie said the hardest part was all the openings that begin identically with “How does a ....”

[@corvus1374]

Burr wants to be in the room where the deals are being made.

[@son_of_ottie]

There's some sax in there too at 7:55 which is unusual for this show. I never noticed it until now! It must be the jazz influence in ACT II.

[@NineAnutza]

Burr basically doesn't want to be left out of the conversations and his jealousy towards hamilton only started to grew from here on and he wanted to be in the room with the rest of them but wasn't allowed to.

[@jessicabader5594]

HOW did I never realize it's a vinyl record crackle??? I was always so confused why there was the sound of crinkling plastic shoved into the middle of the song but that makes more sense LMAO

[@cezannejimenez7164]

I like this song. It has a nice sorta bluesy vibe about it.

[@JacobRestituto]

Legit

[@Tinketje85]

Love your reactions!

[@JacobRestituto]

Thank you!!

[@koramy5459]

Obsessed with your content. I just started kinda studying music theory as a hobby and absolutely love Hamilton but you've made me appreciate it so much more. Thanks for what you've done here. Subscribed!

[@JacobRestituto]

REALLY happy to hear that!! thank you!

[@Lafemmefutile]

That song is a mix of jazz, 20’s Charleston style music, then that melodic rap like A Tribe Called Quest. The piano is very reminiscent of New Orleans jazz. They always keep the jazz for Jefferson and rap for Hamilton, and soul/dancehall for Aaron Burr!

[@NineAnutza]

Definitely should watch this performance on stage, Leslie Odom Jr. Is freaking amazing 😍❤

[@haydenpolsky995]

"the room where it happens" is just a metaphor that burr uses, he just means that he wants to help decide the path and fate of the country he fought for. he wants to be in the decision making room, which is why he runs for president, and why he hates hamilton for preventing him from winning

[@averybisexualbookworm]

It's like the backroom deals. Where everything is decided before it gets brought to official chanels. He's saying he wants to be one of the people that makes the decisions.

[@JacobRestituto]

Yeah!

[@Huntress59]

The room where all the major decisions of our country happen. Burr wants to be in that room. The song also talks about how we as a people, don’t really know what goes on in that room . We as a country as citizens, elect these officials but we are in the dark for the most part. At this point in the story Burr is tired of waiting or lying in wait. He wants to be in the room where all the decisions are made and be a part of it .

[@Jenna-cs3go]

I don’t know if anyone noticed this but when burr says click boom at the end of the room where it happens he points down while as we know Hamilton always points up I thought that was a cool detail

[@JacobRestituto]

Oh wow

[@erikagholston6610]

I need to hear your reaction after you finally watch the musical.

[@deborahcarson4157]

So many of the post below explain very succinctly what happened in the room. Historically, this song is backstory of The Funding Act of 1790 aka The Compromise of 1790....."Talk Less, Smile More" is the first advice Burr gives Hamilton and is often repeated by Burr and Hamilton throughout the show.

[@mmcgrego51]

They are deciding where to put the US capitol. You must watch the full show. It’s absolutely next level

[@prudencethewitch140]

Just realized that the higher tininess of the horns in this song remind me of the Black/Pink horns for "Kill this Love."

[@JacobRestituto]

oh interesting!

[@cyklone5000]

Not sure if you knew this, but the little strumming part during the chorus is a banjo

[@dianayoder1285]

The room is a sort of metaphor for being in on the decisions going on in the goverment

[@ComputerGeek1100]

Others have said too but this song is based on the Compromise of 1790, which was a closed meeting between Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison. Hamilton’s financial plan didn’t have the views it needed to pass congress, so he asked Jefferson to use his influence to get it passed. Jefferson agreed on the condition that the capital of the country be moved further south, to make the legislation more appealing to the southern congressmen. As a result the capitol of the US moved from New York City to where it is now. Of course, because this was a closed meeting, no one except the 3 people there knew what happened, so Lin gives Aaron Burr’s perspective on the matter. Every time a verse begins - when Jefferson, then Madison narrate their issues, the staging depicts the three men entering the “room” (a box on the stage depicted with lighting) as Burr narrates

[@QuikVidGuy]

the trio's Room Where It Happened is their dinner meeting Burr's Room Where It Happens is the office of President

[@ohnocamie]

Like someone else said, Hamilton decided to support Madison and Jefferson regarding the country's capital in exchange for votes towards his financial plan, and to this day, no one knows how that happened. Like the song says, no one else was in the room where it happened, all we know is what Jefferson said about it (and that's why there's the "Thomas claims..." in the song). Later he even started changing his account and basically saying Hamilton tricked him into supporting his financial plan, BUT no one else was in the room where it happened 🎶 and the room where it happens is Burr's metaphor for being included in big decisions. Leslie's performance is just.... amazing.

[@celticcello]

I like cd's but there is something to be said for listening to sound of that old vinyl crackle. My whole body wants to dance to this song. This song has all the hallmarks of a classic show stopper. I think you'll see what I mean when you see the show!

[@JacobRestituto]

truth!!

[@jessicabader5594]

3:52 My favourite part: Du-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun In the right ear: du-dun-da-da-da-da-da-da-du-dun and the bass: bummp-bummp

[@theshadowman4015]

The more that Burr says what he wants, you can hear that he gets more confident-

[@JacobRestituto]

interesting!

[@raphaelmagto]

Loving this Hamilton run! Can you react to Jacob Collier next? That dude is just phenomenal

[@JacobRestituto]

he's amazing!

[@vivianamora7505]

Sounds like Aladdin’s he never had a friend like me. It’s the Aaron burr Disney villain song

[@user-wx2vf4ii1b]

he wants to be a part of the building of the new country

[@JacobRestituto]

cool

[@karenmg007]

Will you do a video on patreon of you watching this? I’ve never used patreon, but I think I would enjoy watching your first watch reaction.

[@JacobRestituto]

I’m considering it - definitely going to watch it, just trying to figure out where to post my reaction. Make sure you’re on my text to know!

[@claudiaperrault1874]

@@JacobRestituto right here where we r watching u !!!

[@amytucker1902]

@@JacobRestituto The musical is entirely sung through. There is no part in the show that is not on the album, so you could break the show down by song

[@soccerwizard975]

The horns on this track always reminds me of Kanye's "Blood on the leaves". I'm not sure if they're a keyboard horn or actual horns but in brings a similar texture.

[@JacobRestituto]

oh cool

[@claudiaperrault1874]

U ll have to listen to the lyrics. The room where the big trade for the capital of USA which was in NYC ( are not u from NY ? ) to Virginia ,,,for financial plan there is a plaque in NYC where this was ,, orginal building torn down eons ago

[@queenieblue93]

Did you catch the banjo?

[@6598102743]

The room where it happens = where the powerful decisions are being made

[@JacobRestituto]

truth

[@Alphasnowbordergirl]

The room where it happens is referring to the fact that decisions and talks about things that happens in congress happen outside of congress. No one knows what is said during these deals or how senators really change the mind of those who oppose their deal or get them on their side as it is not the speeches made in congress that change their mind but the talks outside behind closed doors. In this case, no one knows how Hamilton managed to change Thomas Jefferson or James Madison's mind and got them to support his plan. The only thing people know is that it happened over a dinner in a certain room and that is it.

[@122991000]

Would you be able to create a Hamilton playlist of these reactions on your channel?

[@JacobRestituto]

kzbin.info/aero/PLCbhrlFWRoszhfA-DtUiJFSDH0wgjHOpU

[@whatamievendoinganymore4766]

I saw hamilton and immediately pressed on this

[@JacobRestituto]

haha you have a lot to catch up on

[@ms_scribbles]

Well...sort of. He wants the power of forming the country. It's mostly about power with Burr, which is why he's always so easily finding himself on whatever side of an argument that's in power. Mostly in the play, but also kind of in history, too, he has no strong stances of his own, which is why nobody trusts him.

[@whatamievendoinganymore4766]

@@JacobRestituto wait, what do you mean? I'm confused

[@ChicagoDeb]

Just wait til you watch Leslie Odom Jr do this song...it's amazing!!!!

[@umbrellau1839]

i’m here from the color purple !!!!!

[@JacobRestituto]

?

[@cherry03512]

"it's crazy that they had to learn all those lyrics" me: ... it's not _that_ hard

[@JacobRestituto]

Hahahaha

[@grumtydumpty7949]

6:52 ,,,,, your welcome ;)

[@JacobRestituto]

?

[@deamonscar5952]

That’s not a xylophone that’s a vibraphone that’s the only way you can get the held effect without using a e piano

[@Jammer2001]

@Jacob Restuito If you're interested in an analysis of the music theory of Hamilton this channel is great: kzbin.info

[@nataliaxo6239]

If you don't know the show you wouldn't know whats going on....

[@swordofgallifrey6330]

Here's a link to a Hamilton animatic of Laurens Interlude! I figured you might want to listen to it, as it explains a bit of Alexander's character in Act 2. They say Alexander was never the same after he lost Laurens and shut down emotionally. kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3SqfmWur7Zsnck&ab_channel=szin

[@nyyankeesgirl234]

Did you watch Hamilton yet? I hope so! If you did what did you think of it?

[@snapagog1]

You might like Hadestown after this.

[@JacobRestituto]

Thanks!

[@samiyatanakami7472]

Can you react to ping pong by hyuna and dawn

[@echowall5967]

The General Mercer conversation is too early in the time line. Mercer didn’t die until after this whole Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton compromise

[@ferrous719]

From what I understand he played with time a lot to make it more understandable and easier to follow. He's never claimed it was 100% accurate

[@spudsbuchlaw]

That moment when you miss the point of the song because you're tryna listen to the insturmental

[@JacobRestituto]

🤦🏻‍♂️

[@FrancisAbeelen]

#AlgoBoost

[@JacobRestituto]

??

[@FrancisAbeelen]

@@JacobRestituto any like or comment etc. boosts this video in the algorithm and gets it to more "recommended" sections and pushes it out to more people. So whenever i don't have a comment or my comment is goin to be too much (like this) then ill just put and #AlgoBoost for your video and a like (cus idk if "like AND comment" does double or if one is enough).

[@Sasha-yw3uh]

You should react to Dear Evan Hansen!!

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@paigemprice]

Quid pro quo allowing the South to keep slaves and more

[@JacobRestituto]

??