Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

My Shot

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Released
  
2015

Length
  
5:34

Composer(s)
  
Lin-Manuel Miranda

Genre
  
Hip hop show tune

Writer(s)
  
Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lyricist(s)
  
Lin-Manuel Miranda

"My Shot" is the third song from Act 1 of the musical Hamilton, based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, which premiered on Broadway in 2015. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote both the music and lyrics to the song.

Contents

Synopsis

Alexander Hamilton wows several other young revolutionaries with his verbal skills, speaking about his hopes for the future, his disillusionment with the British and his desire to be remembered, even if it means dying.

The other revolutionaries in the song, who rap about their own hopes for and reservations about the future, are:

  • Marquis de Lafayette, a Frenchman who does not want to live under a monarch's rule. He mentions his fighting abilities and the possibility of a revolution in France, after Alexander hints at the imminent American revolution.
  • Hercules Mulligan, a tailor's apprentice who wants to socially advance by joining the revolution.
  • John Laurens, an abolitionist who will not be satisfied until all men have equal rights. He dreams of riding into battle with America's first black regiment.
  • Aaron Burr, who reminds all of the men to keep quiet because loyalists may be among them. Despite Burr's warnings, the men continue rapping about the rebellion and encouraging other Americans to rise up with them against the British, while Burr remains silent.

    • Analysis

    Vibe described the backing as "reminiscent of the '90s." The tune is reprised during the songs "Right Hand Man" and "Yorktown." The Los Angeles Times said the song had "Eminem combustion". Vulture said the song was reminiscent of Eminem's "Lose Yourself."

    TapInto notes that this song becomes ironic by the end of the musical because Hamilton does, indeed, throw away his shot in the fatal duel with Aaron Burr. Deadline notes “I am not throwing away my shot" becomes Hamilton's mantra.

    Critical reception

    TapInto deemed it a "ferocious song." The Huffington Post suggested the song would make a good opening number to the musical.

    The song was one of many performed at the White House in March 2016.

    A parody of the song was performed by Miranda as his monologue on the October 8, 2016, episode of Saturday Night Live.

    Mixtape version

    "My Shot (Rise Up Remix)" is a song recorded by The Roots featuring Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz, and Nate Ruess from The Hamilton Mixtape.

    References

    My Shot Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA