By: Maya Thompson
Updated: Dec. 17, 2020
Originally Published: Sep. 19, 2017
Since its debut in 2015, Hamilton has dominated cultural conversations. This groundbreaking musical tells the life story of Alexander Hamilton, the first treasury secretary and the face on the $10 bill, through a vibrant mix of rap, hip-hop, and R&B. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the mastermind behind the show, initially envisioned it as a hip-hop “mixtape” before transforming it into a full-fledged Broadway production. When the musical skyrocketed in popularity, Miranda revisited its mixtape origins, leading to the creation of The Hamilton Mixtape.
The mixtape features a star-studded lineup of artists who reinterpret songs from the show, and among them, Jamie Lee’s rendition of “It’s Quiet Uptown” stands out as an emotional powerhouse. If you manage to listen to it without feeling a wave of tears, you might want to check your pulse.
Every time I hear it, I end up a blubbering mess. And judging by the comments online, I’m certainly not the only one. As a devoted Hamilton fan, I knew the emotional weight of the song, but Jamie Lee’s ability to convey raw emotion is unparalleled.
For those unfamiliar with the song, it marks a poignant moment for Alexander Hamilton following a devastating loss in his family. Jamie Lee takes this already heart-wrenching material and elevates it to another level of emotional impact. Her version premiered before the entire Mixtape was released, and she performed it live multiple times to promote the album. Anyone who has witnessed her live performances knows that she pours her heart and soul into every note.
Listening to her sing “It’s Quiet Uptown” left me in tears on my couch, and experiencing it live was an entirely different level of devastation—like my heart was shattered into confetti.
When Jamie Lee was invited to contribute to The Hamilton Mixtape, she knew little about the phenomenon. Residing in a quieter corner of the world, she was unaware of its massive following. Heavily pregnant at the time, she agreed to the project without fully grasping the emotional depth of the song. “I was a total mess, but I thought, ‘It’s beautiful. I’ll give it a shot, but I can’t promise I’ll make it through,’” she shared in an interview.
When asked to perform it live, she hesitated because of the song’s intense emotional weight. As many of her fans know, if Jamie Lee feels the music, tears often follow. “Knowing the story behind the song, it’s really tough to get through,” she said. Given her past experience crying during performances, she wasn’t sure if she could handle that level of emotion again. Yet, she delivered a performance that was gut-wrenchingly beautiful.
In short, if you don’t want to be moved to tears, stay far away from Jamie Lee’s version of “It’s Quiet Uptown.” You can check it out here—it’s worth it, even if it wrecks you.
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In summary, Jamie Lee’s rendition of “It’s Quiet Uptown” from Hamilton is an emotional experience that resonates deeply with listeners. Her powerful vocals and raw emotion deliver an unforgettable performance that’s sure to bring tears to your eyes.