“Election of 1800”
from the Broadway musical Hamilton
[Intro: Thomas Jefferson, Ensemble]
The Election of 1800!
Can we get back to politics?
Please?
Yo…
[Verse 1: Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr]
Every action has it’s equal opposite reaction
John Adams shat the bed; I love the guy, but he’s in traction
Poor Alexander Hamilton, he is missing in action
So now i’m facing Aaron Burr with his own faction
He’s very attractive in the North, New Yorkers like his chances
He’s not very forthcoming on any particular stances
Ask him a question, it glances, off the obvious states[?], he dances
And they say i’m a Francophile, at least they know I know where France is
Thomas, that’s the problem; see, they see Burr as a less extreme you
You need to change course, a key endorsement might redeem you
Who did you have in mind? Don’t laugh
Who is it? You used to work on the same staff.
Whaaaat?
[Hook 1: Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr (Both)]
It might be nice, it might be nice
To get Hamilton on your side
It might be nice, it might be nice
To get Hamilton on your side
[Break: Aaron Burr and (Ensemble)]
Talk less! (Burr!)
Smile more! (Burr!)
Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for! (Burr!)
Shake hands with him! (Burr!)
Charm her! (Burr!)
It’s 1800; ladies, tell your husbands, vote for Burr!
[Verse 2: Various Ensemble]
I don’t like Adams! Well, he’s gonna lose, that’s just defeatist.
And Jefferson? In love with France! Yeah, he’s so elitist!
I like that Aaron Burr! I can’t believe we’re here with him!
He seems approachable? Like you could grab a beer with him
[Bridge 1: Alexander Hamilton & Ensemble]
Dear Mr. Hamilton
Your fellow Federalists would like to know how you’ll be voting
It’s quiet uptown…
Dear Mr. Hamilton
John Adams doesn’t stand a chance, so who you are you promoting?
It’s quiet uptown…
Jefferson or Burr? Jefferson or Burr?
(We know, it’s news, news…)
Jefferson or Burr? Jefferson or Burr?
(But if you had to choose…)
Dear Mr. Hamilton
John Adams doesn’t stand a chance, so who you are you promoting?
But if you had to choose!
[Verse 3: Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr]
Well, if isn’t Aaron Burr, sir. Alexander!
You’ve created quite a stir, sir. I’m going door to door!
You’re openly campaigning? Sure!
That’s new. Honestly, it’s kind of draining
Burr? Sir?
Is there anything you wouldn’t do?
No, I’m chasing what I want, and you know what?
What? I learned that from you
[Bridge 2: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and (Ensemble) (J&M)]
(If you had to choose, if you had to choose…)
…It’s a tie
(If you had to choose, if you had to choose…)
It’s up to the delegates
(If you had to choose, if you had to choose…)
It’s up to Hamilton!
(If you had to choose, if you had to choose…)
(Jefferson or Burr? Jefferson or Burr?)
(Choose, choose, choose!)
[Verse 4: Alexander Hamilton and (Ensemble)]
Yo
(Oh!) The people are asking to hear my voice
(Oh!) But the country is facing a difficult choice
(Oh!) And you were to ask me who I’d promote…
(Oh!) …Jefferson has my vote
(Oh!) I have never agreed with Jefferson once…
(Oh!) We have fought on like 75 different fronts
(Oh!) But when all said and all is done…
Jefferson has beliefs; Burr has none
[Hook 2: Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, James Madison and (Ensemble)]
(Ooooh!)
Well, I’ll be damned! Well, I’ll be damned!
Hamilton’s on your side
Well, I’ll be damned! Well, I’ll be damned!
And… you won in a landslide
Congrats on a race well won
I did give you a fight. Uh-huh…
I look forward to our partnership.
Our partnership?
As your vice president!
[laughs] Yeah, right!
[Outro: Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr]
You hear this guy?
Man openly campaigns against me, talking ‘bout “I look forward to our partnership!”
It is crazy that the guy who comes in the second gets to be vice president
OOOH! Y’know what, we can change that! Y’know why?
Why?
‘Cause I’m the president!
Burr…
When you see Hamilton, thank him for the endorsement