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"Non-Stop" is the final 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.

Synopsis

Following the end of the American Revolutionary War and the news of the tragic death of John Laurens at the hands of fleeing British soldiers after the war's conclusion, "Non-Stop" closes out the first act by recounting Hamilton's exceedingly busy and self-centered life. He co-authors the Federalist Papers and is selected by now-president George Washington to serve as the Secretary of the Treasury of the new nation. In the meantime, Angelica moves to London with her new husband, and Eliza begs Hamilton to stay with her to be a father to his son, but instead he buries himself in his work and begins to have friction with his former friends and loved ones including Eliza, Washington, and Aaron Burr.

Analysis and reception

As the final song in Act 1 just ahead of intermission, "Non-Stop" wraps up many story threads while setting up Hamilton's character conflict leading into the political and personal turmoil of the second act.

Of all the songs in Hamilton, "Non-Stop" has been described by some as the best summation of Alexander Hamilton's character. One reviewer described the track's key success being tied to its relentlessness, mirroring Hamilton's own character. Other comparisons have included the song's "urgency and momentum" as the nation is built following the end of the war.

"Non-Stop" is notable for its culmination of various motifs established throughout the first act of the play, such as Angelica Schuyler's "Satisfied", George Washington's "History Has Its Eyes on You", Eliza Hamilton's "That Would Be Enough", and "Alexander Hamilton".

Certifications

References

1. "I Have an Opinion on Every Song in "Hamilton"". HuffPost. 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
2. Shaw-Williams, Hannah (2020-07-09). "Hamilton: All 46 Songs In The Musical, Ranked From Worst To Best". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-02-23.
3. Bojalad, Alec (2020-07-03). "Hamilton: Ranking Every Song from the Soundtrack". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
4. Ho, Estella (2019-09-10). "Hamilton: An American Musical Cheatsheet (Act I)". Medium. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
5. Kornhaber, Spencer (2015-12-17). "Why the 'Hamilton' Cast Recording Is the Album of the Year". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
6. "British single certifications – Odom Jr/Miranda/Goldsberry/Soo – Non-Stop". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
7. "American single certifications – ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST OF HAMILTON – Non-Stop". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 24, 2023.

• Songs from Hamilton (musical)
• Songs about writers
• Songs about American politicians
• 2015 songs