From Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway show “Hamilton,” the song “The Room Where It Happens” is taken. The song, which is sung by Aaron Burr’s persona, marks a crucial turning point in the storyline of the program.
The song takes place at a dinner party where Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton are negotiating a deal to move the capital of the United States from New York City to the banks of the Potomac River. Burr, who is not present at the dinner, laments his exclusion from the negotiations and his inability to be “in the room where it happens.”
The lyrics of the song are rife with compelling metaphors and images that speak to the desire for influence and power as well as the fear of being excluded from important decisions. The opening lines of the song, “How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore / And a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean / By providence, impoverished, in squalor / Grow up to be a hero and a scholar?” set the stage for Burr’s sense of longing and ambition.
Burr shows his unhappiness with his lack of authority as the song goes on and his desire to participate in the political intrigue of the day.
He sings, “No one really knows how the game is played / The art of the trade / How the sausage gets made / We just assume that it happens / But no one else is in / The room where it happens.”
The refrain “The room where it happens / The room where it happens” is repeated frequently and serves as a potent reminder of the value of access and influence in the political process. A common topic that connects with audiences everywhere is Burr’s desire to be present when decisions are made.
The song’s climax comes as Burr laments the fact that he was not present at the dinner party where the decision to move the capital was made. But when you have money invested in the game, you stay in it, he sings. “But you don’t get a win unless you play in the game,” he continues. Oh, it inspires both love and hatred. If you wait, you won’t get anything. Repeat after me: “Wait, wait, wait!”
The power of “The Room Where It Happens” lies in its ability to capture the complex emotions and desires that drive political ambition. Through Burr’s longing and frustration, the song speaks to the universal desire for power and influence, and the fear of being left out of important decisions.
The song “The Room Where It Happens” marks a turning moment in Burr’s character arc within the context of the entire production. The song’s potent message serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unrestrained ambition as his pursuit of power and influence ultimately takes him down a dark path.
Final Thoughts
“The Room Where It Happens” is a masterful example of the power of music to capture complex emotions and ideas. One of the most famous songs in contemporary musical theatre, it continues to be recognized by audiences worldwide thanks to its universal themes and stirring imagery.
