Draft:Washington On Your Side

"Washington on Your side" is the eighth song of Act 2 of the musical Hamilton, and the 31st song overall. The musical revolves around the life of Alexander Hamilton, and it originally premiered on Broadway in 2015. The original cast recording of "Washington on Your Side" is sung by Leslie Odom Jr., Daveed Diggs and Okieriete Onaodowan playing the characters Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison respectively, alongside the show ensemble. The song was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. In the context of the show, it is just after Cabinet Battle #2 in which Jefferson tells Hamilton that George Washington is the only one supporting him. Later on in the second act, Jefferson, Madison and Burr tell Hamilton that they know of his affair with Maria Reynolds in "We Know", that leads Hamilton to publish the Reynolds Pamphlet in the song of the same name.

Summary
The song starts with Burr and Jefferson wishing they had Washington's support. Jefferson then states how Hamilton's actions and radical ideas have negative consequences such as splitting the government into 'factions', and increasing the wealth gap in American society. Jefferson then vows to be the one to take down Hamilton if someone were to find some scandal he was involved in. Madison then joins in, mentioning how Hamilton 'doubled the size of the government' despite the original size of the government being too large. The trio discuss how Hamilton's plan to establish a national bank, the topic of debate in 'Cabinet Battle #1', will ruin the United States, mentioning that if they don't take a stand, they help Hamilton. Jefferson resolves to resign as secretary of state in protest to this. He then states that Washington won't listen to them if they behave civilly, so they have to act outside of traditional methods to take Hamilton down. The three politicians finally agree to find some trace of Hamilton's 'misdeeds'

Analysis
Despite his enemies treating Hamilton's ambition as a flaw, they are not so different. Jefferson, like Hamilton, cares for his reputation, mentioning that he will not be seen as 'complicit'. Jefferson's quick-fire speech likens him to Hamilton, who is seen as too quick-witted.

Jefferson's first rap in the song is reflected in the start of "The Election of 1800", showing Jefferson's ambition continues beyond his feud with Hamilton.

Reception
Screenrant placed the song as the 9th best song overall out of the 46 total.

'For the Win' placed it as the 22nd best overall.

Den of Geek placed it as the 23rd best song.