‘Found/Tonight’ mashup supports gun control

Two of the biggest names in modern musicals have collaborated to support the March for Our Lives youth movement. On March 19, Tony-award winning Broadway sensations Ben Platt and Lin-Manuel Miranda released “Found/Tonight,” a mashup of the songs “You Will be Found” from “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Story of Tonight” from “Hamilton,” and a portion of the song’s proceeds will go to support the March for Our Lives campaign.

The new single has fans of both productions raving, but Platt and Miranda did not combine their talents simply for the purpose of good music.
Both singers commented on the inspiration they felt by students taking action.

“In the wake of Parkland, I was awestruck by the strength and leadership of the students and their ability to speak truth to power,” Miranda said in a March 23 Forbes article. “In the midst of their grief, they mobilized the youth of our nation and created a movement. This is their moment. Not just for themselves, but for all of us. This song is my way of helping to raise funds and awareness for their efforts, and to say thank you, and that we are with you so let’s keep fighting, together.”

“When Lin called me to be a part of this mashup, I couldn’t say no,” Platt said. “Better gun control is something that all Americans should be passionate about. These students are paving the way for future generations and it is so inspiring to see young people standing up for what is probably the most important cause right now in this country, and demanding action. I hope that this song can play some small part in bringing about real change.”

Platt and Miranda marched in Washington D.C. on March 24, along with more than 800,000 protesters who joined the March for Our Lives. Among the hundreds of thousands who attended, many West Essex students joined the march, including sophomore Gillian Wolf.

“I am so glad I went to the march in D.C. and was able to see Platt and Miranda perform ‘Found/Tonight,’” Wolf said. “I am the biggest Ben Platt fan, and to see him perform for such a great cause was amazing. It almost felt unreal. It’s crazy to me that students can have such a big impact on celebrities because at the end of the day we need the support from them too. I am truly so proud of what everyone is doing to make an impact, including Ben Platt and Lin-Manuel Miranda.”

Platt and Miranda’s song is a success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart, as of March 31 and No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Found/Tonight” had 61,000 downloads and 2.1 million streams in the United States within one week of its release.

“Found/Tonight” was Miranda’s second time earning Digital Song Sales No. 1. His single “Almost Like Praying,” got the title after making its debut on Oct. 28. The song, which Miranda wrote in response to Hurricane Maria, was recorded by him and other celebrities under the collective name, “Artists for Puerto Rico.”