Three-Day Lyrical Challenge: Day 3!

Happy Friday, book nerds! 

If you follow my blog, you know we’ve reached the FINAL day of my THREE-DAY LYRICAL CHALLENGE! We spent some time with Coheed, headed to Broadway, and now you’ll have to scroll down to see what song completes the trio! I wanted to thank Michaela (Journey Into Books) again for such a fun tag! I’ve enjoyed sharing some of my musical memories. Before you check out my final selection, clink on the link above and give Michaela some love!

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HOW IT WORKS?

*Thank the person who nominated you.*

*Share one of your favorite songs/lyrics (one at a time) for three days.

*Nominate three other bloggers each day.

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 TODAY’S SELECTION:

“Wait For It” from Hamilton. 

[BURR]
Theodosia writes me a letter every day
I’m keeping the bed warm while her husband is away
He’s on the British side in Georgia
He’s trying to keep the colonies in line
But he can keep all of Georgia
Theodosia, she’s mine

Love doesn’t discriminate
Between the sinners
And the saints
It takes and it takes and it takes
And we keep loving anyway
We laugh and we cry
And we break
And we make our mistakes
And if there’s a reason I’m by her side
When so many have tried
Then I’m willing to wait for it
I’m willing to wait for it

[BURR, MEN, & WOMEN]
My grandfather was a fire and brimstone preacher
Preacher, preacher, preacher
But there are things that the homilies and hymns won’t teach ya
Teach ya, teach ya, teach ya
My mother was a genius (genius)
My father commanded respect (respect, respect)
When they died they left no instructions
Just a legacy to protect

[BURR/ENSEMBLE]
Death doesn’t discriminate
Between the sinners
And the saints
It takes and it takes and it takes
And we keep living anyway
We rise and we fall
And we break
And we make our mistakes
And if there’s a reason I’m still alive
When everyone who loves me has died
I’m willing to wait for it
I’m willing to wait for it
Wait for it

[ENSEMBLE]
Wait for it
Wait for it
Wait for it

[BURR]
I am the one thing in life I can control

[ENSEMBLE]
Wait for it
Wait for it
Wait for it
Wait for it

[BURR]
I am inimitable
I am an original

[ENSEMBLE]
Wait for it
Wait for it
Wait for it
Wait for it

[BURR]
I’m not falling behind or running late

[ENSEMBLE]
Wait for it
Wait for it
Wait for it
Wait for it

[BURR]
I’m not standing still
I am lying in wait

[ENSEMBLE]
Wait
Wait
WaiT

[BURR]
Hamilton faces an endless uphill climb

[ENSEMBLE]
Climb
Climb
Climb

[BURR]
He has something to prove
He has nothing to lose

[ENSEMBLE]
Lose
Lose
Lose
Lose

[BURR]
Hamilton’s pace is relentless
He wastes no time

[ENSEMBLE]
Time
Time
Time

[BURR]
What is it like in his shoes?

Hamilton doesn’t hesitate
He exhibits no restraint
He takes and he takes and he takes
And he keeps winning anyway
He changes the game
He plays and he raises the stakes
And if there’s a reason
He seems to thrive when so few survive, then Goddammit—

[BURR & COMPANY]
I’m willing to wait for it
Wait for it, wait for it
I’m willing to wait for it…
Life doesn’t discriminate
Between the sinners and the saints
It takes and it takes and it takes
And we keep living anyway
We rise and we fall and we break
And we make our mistakes
And if there’s a reason I’m still alive
When so many have died
Then I’m willin’ to—

[BURR]
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
Wait… 

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My Thoughts (This is long, but please read! #SelfLove):

I know, I know! I already devoted a song to musical theater, but to be fair, I DID say I might return to Hamilton so…

The truth is, I was debating about what other song I felt compelled to share with y’all, but nothing from today’s modern hits, my high school playlist, college jams, or the Disney catalog was speaking to me as loudly as this particular track. I don’t have enough time (and y’all probably don’t have enough patience) for me to wax poetically about how much this soundtrack/show means to me. I won’t go into how many times (read: how many years) I’ve been playing the album on repeat, what it was like to see the show live, how many memes I’ve reposted via various social media outlets, or how stalker fangirl mode I became over the cast & creators. What I will say is that this song (especially the six bolded lines above) is a song I often turn to when I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

You see, this track is all about “measuring up.” Burr spends the the better part of 3 minutes comparing himself to his parents, their legacy, his lover’s husband, Hamilton, and history’s expectations. And though it’s set hundreds of years from the present, Burr’s feelings of competitive comparisons — and failings — resonates even stronger in today’s social media-infused world. Today most people have logged into an average of 3 social media outlets before breakfast and that’s a staggering amount of content to have to compete with before Cheerios. Whether it’s over grades, relationship status, getting married, having kids, landing a high-paying job, getting into the right college, losing weight, getting clearer skin, having the best blog, being the most popular booktuber, received the best arcs, writing the best reviews, etc the list of things you could feel “behind on,” or “worse than” is massive.

But instead of drowning in that feeling, Burr has a quick verse where he states powerfully and concisely: “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 am lying in wait.” And this verse. This verse is EVERYTHING. It establishes so many important points: 1) There’s only one you! 2) You’re unique, special, and original so comparing yourself to others is a waste of time because you’ll never be the same 3) Only by focusing on YOURSELF (instead of others) can you truly achieve YOUR goals and 4) Just because you’re not there yet, doesn’t mean you won’t be; just you wait! This song for me will always serve as a powerful reminder that if I keep my head down and just do me, I’ll get where I’m meant to be. And if you won’t take my word for it take Lin’s: “I feel like I have been Burr in my life as many times as I have been Hamilton. I think we’ve all had moments where we’ve seen friends and colleagues zoom past us, to success, or to marriage, or to home ownership, while we lingered where we were—broke, single, jobless. And you tell yourself, ‘Wait For It.'”

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Well that concludes the three-day lyrical challenge! I hope y’all have enjoyed learning more about my musical tastes and the memories that inspire them! For my final day I tag: Emma (her birthday was also 2 days ago so go give her some love!!), J.W., and Kaleena. I can’t wait to see what lyrics/songs you guys choose! 

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