Dear Theodosia

Last updated
"Dear Theodosia"
Song by Leslie Odom Jr., Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the cast of Hamilton
from the album Hamilton
Released2015 (2015)
Genre Show tune
Length3:05
Songwriter(s) Lin-Manuel Miranda
Audio
"Dear Theodosia" on YouTube

"Dear Theodosia" is a 3-minute 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. The song is sung by the character Aaron Burr, originally performed by Leslie Odom Jr., and Hamilton, originally performed by Miranda.

Contents

History

Miranda wrote this song during a week spent in the Dominican Republic, while they were visiting his wife Vanessa Nadal's ill aunt. During this week, the couple met a small dog that they eventually adopted and named Tobillo ("ankle" in Spanish), and Nadal's aunt died. Miranda has written that this song is "the calm in the storm of our show, and it was the calm in the storm of my life in that moment." [1]

Synopsis

The song is sung by Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. They welcome their respective children, Theodosia and Philip, into the world. The men proclaim that they will fight to make the world better for their children. They vow to give their children a better childhood than their own. The Hollywood Reporter acknowledges the coincidence reflected within the song, in which "two orphaned men...contemplate the rewards of fatherhood." [2] Vibe added that this "fatherly ballad...gives the dads a chance to reflect on their childhoods whilst contemplating how to be better with their own kids". [3]

Analysis

The "parenthood song" [4] has a lyrical reference to "Blow Us All Away", in the metaphorical sense of overwhelmingly impressing their parents by their future successes. However, The Huffington Post notes that this lyrical motif will reappear later on in the musical in a more literal context when young Phillip is literally blown away by a gun in a duel during the song "Blow Us All Away". [5] Theodosia Burr Alston was lost at sea during a hurricane off the coast of South Carolina in January 1812, lending a ghastly morbid humor to the song's title.

Critical reception

The Huffington Post wrote that "If John Legend covered this heartbreaker, I'm sure it would hit top ten." [5] The Hollywood Reporter deemed it a "heartbreaker", too. [2] Yahoo.com declared this the "track of the day" for January 3, 2016, due to a recommendation by a reader who said "I love the way this song tenderly expresses the humbling experience of parenthood shared by two men—both quite roughened to the ways of the world and otherwise vehemently opposed. The common ground of our humanity." [4]

Certifications

Certifications for "Dear Theodosia"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [6] Silver200,000‡
United States (RIAA) [7] Platinum1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Covers

"Dear Theodosia" also appears twice on The Hamilton Mixtape , first sung by Regina Spektor featuring Ben Folds, and another version sung by Chance the Rapper and Francis and the Lights. Spektor and Fold's version peaked at number 38 on the Hot Rock Songs chart, [8] and was performed live as a part of National Symphony Orchestra’s DECLASSIFIED: Ben Folds Presents series. [9]

On December 30, 2018, a cut reprise of the song covered by Sara Bareilles was released as part of the "Hamildrop" project.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regina Spektor</span> American musician

Regina Ilyinichna Spektor is a Russian–born American singer, songwriter, and pianist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lin-Manuel Miranda</span> American songwriter, actor and playwright (born 1980)

Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American songwriter, actor, filmmaker and playwright. He is known for creating the Broadway musicals In the Heights (2005) and Hamilton (2015), and the soundtracks for the animated films Moana (2016), Vivo, and Encanto. His numerous accolades include three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, five Grammy Awards, two Laurence Olivier Awards, an Annie Award, a MacArthur Fellowship Award, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Pulitzer Prize.

<i>Hamilton</i> (musical) 2015 biographical musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hamilton is a sung-and-rapped-through biographical musical with music, lyrics, and book by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Based on the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, the musical covers the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and his involvement in the American Revolution and the political history of the early United States. Composed over a seven-year period from 2008 to 2015, the music draws heavily from hip hop, as well as R&B, pop, soul, and traditional-style show tunes. It casts non-white actors as the Founding Fathers of the United States and other historical figures. Miranda described Hamilton as about "America then, as told by America now."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Odom Jr.</span> American actor and singer (born 1981)

Leslie Lloyd Odom Jr. is an American actor and singer. He made his acting debut on Broadway in 1998 and first gained recognition for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in the musical Hamilton, which earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in the same year. His performance was captured in the Disney+ live stage recording of Hamilton which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Limited Series or Movie nomination.

"Alexander Hamilton" is the opening number for the 2015 musical Hamilton, a musical biography of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, which premiered on Broadway in 2015. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote both the music and lyrics to the song. This song features "alternately rapped and sung exposition".

"Satisfied" is the eleventh 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. The song is sung by the character Angelica Schuyler, originally performed by Renée Elise Goldsberry.

"Wait for It" is the thirteenth 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. It speaks of Aaron Burr's undying determination in the face of Hamilton's swift rise to influence and power. Vocally, it covers a baritenor range of Ab2 to Ab4.

"The Room Where It Happens" is a song from Act 2 of the musical Hamilton, based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, which premiered on Broadway in 2015. The musical relates the life of Alexander Hamilton and his relationships with his family and Aaron Burr. The book, music, and lyrics of the musical, including this song, were composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The song describes the Compromise of 1790 from Burr's perspective.

"Say No to This" is the fourth song from Act 2 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. In this song, "Hamilton's eye begins wandering", as he has an affair with Maria Reynolds.

"It's Quiet Uptown" is the eighteenth song from Act 2 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. The song takes place in the second act of the musical, as the characters Alexander Hamilton and his wife Eliza grieve over their son's death.

"Helpless" is the tenth 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.

"You'll Be Back" is the seventh 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. It is sung by Jonathan Groff in the show's original cast recording. Within the context of the musical, it is performed by King George III lamenting the anti-royal machinations of the rebelling American colonists. It covers a vocal range of D3 to A4 and is written for a tenor voice.

"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.

<i>The Hamilton Mixtape</i> 2016 album

The Hamilton Mixtape is a 2016 mixtape album featuring assorted songs from the 2015 Broadway musical Hamilton performed by various artists, as well as some deleted songs from the musical. It was widely well-received by critics.

"Your Obedient Servant" is the twentieth song from Act 2 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. The song is sung by the characters of Hamilton and Aaron Burr, originally performed by Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr., respectively.

"Ten Duel Commandments" is the fifteenth 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.

"Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)" is the twentieth 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. It recounts the story of the Battle of Yorktown.

"One Last Time" is a song from the second act of Hamilton. It was first performed on Broadway by Christopher Jackson, in the role of George Washington, with Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton.

"Right Hand Man" is the eighth 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. The song introduces then-General George Washington to the musical, and culminates with Hamilton becoming his eponymous "right-hand man".

<i>Hamilton</i> (2020 film) 2020 American film of the Broadway musical

Hamilton is a 2020 American biographical musical drama film consisting of a live stage recording of the 2015 Broadway musical of the same name, which was inspired by the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, 5000 Broadway Productions, RadicalMedia, Nevis Productions, and Old 320 Sycamore Pictures, it was directed by Thomas Kail, who also produced the film with Jeffrey Seller and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda, who wrote the music, lyrics, and book for the musical, also stars as Treasury Secretary and Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, along with the musical's original principal Broadway cast, including Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs, Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Okieriete Onaodowan, and Jonathan Groff.

References

  1. ↑ Miranda, Lin-Manuel; McCarter, Jeremy (2016). Hamilton: The Revolution. New York, NY: Grand Central Publishing. p. 128. ISBN   9781455539741.
  2. 1 2 Rooney, David. "Why 'Hamilton' Counts as a Legitimate Game Changer" "Hollywood Reporter", August 31, 2015,
  3. ↑ Woods, Monesha. "Going H.A.M.: A Track-By-Track Review Of The ‘Hamilton’ Soundtrack" vibe.com, October 20, 2015,
  4. 1 2 "Track of the Day: 'Dear Theodosia'" yahoo.com, January 23, 2016,
  5. 1 2 Logan, Elizabeth "I Have an Opinion on Every Song in 'Hamilton'" Huffington Post, October 1, 2015,
  6. ↑ "British single certifications – Odom Jr/Miranda – Dear Theodosia". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  7. ↑ "American single certifications – Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton – Dear Theodosia". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "Hot Rock Songs - December 24, 2016". Billboard . Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  9. ↑ Arcand, Rob (2018-12-01). "Watch Ben Folds and Regina Spektor Perform Their Hamilton Mixtape Song "Dear Theodosia" with the National Symphony Orchestra". SPIN. Retrieved 2023-01-18.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.