Song Exploder Season 1 Episode 2 Lin-Manuel Miranda - Wait for It

In season 1 episode 2 of Song Exploder, Lin-Manuel Miranda takes center stage to explain the creative process behind his hit song "Wait for It" from the musical Hamilton. Miranda's motivation for writing "Wait for It" came from one particular lyric in his first show, In the Heights, where he wrote "death doesn't discriminate between the sinners and the saints, it takes and it takes and it takes." He realized that this concept could be expanded into a full song, and thus "Wait for It" was born.

Miranda discusses how he approached the music for "Wait for It" differently than the rest of the songs in Hamilton. Instead of focusing on melody, he focused on the rhythm and beat of the song. He explains how he was inspired by a drum beat from a song by The Roots, and used that as a foundation for "Wait for It." Miranda also discusses the importance of the musical theme that runs throughout Hamilton - the idea of "non-stop," or constantly moving forward - and how he incorporated that into "Wait for It" by creating a sense of forward momentum in the song.

Throughout the episode, Miranda provides insight into the lyrics of "Wait for It" and how they relate to the character of Aaron Burr, who sings the song in Hamilton. He explains that Burr is a complicated character, someone who is both ambitious and yet cautious. Miranda talks about the themes of envy and patience that run through the song, and how they contribute to the overall narrative of Hamilton.

As the episode progresses, Miranda takes listeners through the step-by-step process of how "Wait for It" was created. He discusses how he started with the drum beat and then layered on different musical elements, such as the bass line and the piano riff. Miranda also talks about the unique vocal arrangements in "Wait for It," where he uses multiple voices to create a sense of urgency and tension in the song.

The episode ends with Miranda playing a stripped-down version of "Wait for It" on the piano, giving listeners a chance to hear the song in its rawest form. Throughout the episode, Miranda's passion for music and his commitment to telling stories through song is evident. He provides a rare glimpse into the creative process behind one of the most popular musicals of all time, and listeners will leave with a newfound appreciation for the art of songwriting.