Hamilton's soundtrack will be made anew, in part, in a month or so, when The Hamilton Mixtape hits shelves. The album covers songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda's brilliant Broadway musical, performed by some talented artists. Two singles from the album dropped today, including Kelly Clarkson's incredibly heart-wrenching take on "It's Quiet Uptown." Check it out below. (And probably have some tissues handy.)
It's one of the most emotional songs in Hamilton. Set in the second half of the Broadway musical, "It's Quiet Uptown" addresses the grief and heartbreak that Alexander Hamilton and his wife Eliza are experiencing over recent the loss of their son, Philip, who died not long after dueling to defend his father's reputation. Hamilton and Eliza's marriage had been deeply fractured by Hamilton's admitted infidelity prior to their son's death. In "It's Quiet Uptown," the couple move uptown, and Hamilton begs her for forgiveness. Philip's death is an event that could have torn them apart, but Eliza chooses to forgive Hamilton, and the two try to move forward together.
Listening to Hamilton's Original Broadway soundtrack, I don't think I've been able to get through "It's Quiet Uptown" without crying. The same is very clearly going to apply for Kelly Clarkson's version of it, in which the pop singer takes on all parts of the song. It's emotional and moving, and thanks to Clarkson's control and range, made a little bit new but no-less heart-wrenching.
"It's Quiet Uptown" is one of two singles that was released off of The Hamilton Mixtape. The Other was "My Shot" (featuring Busta Rhimes, Joell Ortiz and Nate Ruess). Both singles can be purchased now on iTunes and Amazon, and they're available on Spotify.
As for the whole album, that's coming in December. Here's the full list of songs, and who's performing...
1 No John Trumbull (Intro) by The Roots2 My Shot (feat. Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz & Nate Ruess) [Rise Up Remix] by The Roots3 Wrote My Way Out [Clean]by Nas, Dave East, Lin-Manuel Miranda & Aloe Blacc4 Wait For It by Usher5 An Open Letter (feat. Shockwave) [Interlude] [Clean] by Watsky6 Satisfied by Sia (feat. Miguel & Queen Latifah)7 Dear Theodosia by Regina Spektor (feat. Ben Folds)8 Valley Forge (Demo) [Clean]by Lin-Manuel Miranda9 It's Quiet Uptown by Kelly Clarkson10 That Would Be Enoughby Alicia Keys11 Immigrants (We Get The Job Done) [Clean] by K'naan, Snow Tha Product, Riz MC, Residente12 You'll Be Back by Jimmy Fallon & The Roots13 Helpless by Ashanti (feat. Ja Rule)14 Take A Break (Interlude) by !llmind15 Say Yes To This by Jill Scott16 Congratulations by Dessa17 Burn by Andra Day18 Stay Alive (Interlude) by J.PERIOD & Stro Elliot19 Cabinet Battle 3 (Demo) by Lin-Manuel Miranda20 Washingtons By Your Side by Wiz Khalifa21 History Has Its Eyes On You by John Legend22 Who Tells Your Story (feat. Common & Ingrid Michaelson) by The Roots23 Dear Theodosia (Reprise) by Chance The Rapper & Francis and The Lights
Not a bad list of talent there. Among those tackling Hamilton's songs on The Hamilton Mixtape are The Roots, Sia, Alisha Keyes, Ashanti, Regina Spektor (with Ben Folds!), John Legend and known Hamilton fan, Jimmy Fallon.
The Hamilton Mixtape hits shelves December 2. Pre-order it here.
