Song Meaning

Lin-Manuel Miranda's "It Won't Be Long Now," performed by the character Vanessa, is less a song of the present and more an anthem of aspirational escape. The relentless rhythms of the city – the elevated train, the catcalls – are not merely tolerated but internalized, transformed into a personal soundtrack fueling her dreams. Vanessa isn't romanticizing urban grit; she's strategically ignoring it, seeing past the immediate discomfort to a future where she's riding in a limousine instead of an El train. This isn't about contentment; it's a portrait of ambition simmering beneath a veneer of everyday life. It’s about manifesting a future through sheer force of will. The noise is just noise; she's focused on the signal. “It Won’t Be Long Now” becomes Vanessa’s personal mantra. It's a declaration of intent, a promise whispered to herself against the backdrop of a world she's determined to transcend. The song's meaning also plays into the complex dynamics of being a woman navigating a male-dominated space. The casual harassment Vanessa endures is dismissed with a practiced nonchalance. The whistling and honking are rendered meaningless, mere background noise, because she refuses to grant them significance. This isn't acceptance, but a form of psychological self-defense. She's not empowered by their attention; she's actively disempowering their attempts to objectify her. Her power lies in her indifference, in her unwavering focus on her own trajectory. She sets the terms of her engagement with the world, not the other way around. The spoken interlude, where she calls for Usnavi's help, underscores the vulnerability that exists beneath her confident facade, yet reinforces her agency, as she chooses who she allows into her personal space. Ultimately, the genius of "It Won't Be Long Now" is how it layers individual yearning onto a broader canvas of urban life. It's a deeply personal song, yet it resonates with anyone who has ever felt trapped by their circumstances and dared to dream of something more. The song meaning extends beyond simple escapism. It's a testament to the power of self-belief, the resilience of the human spirit, and the quiet determination to rewrite one's own narrative, even when the world seems determined to write it for you. It is about controlling the narrative of your life, even when unwanted attention makes that difficult. The “noise” of the city becomes the fuel for Vanessa’s engine, driving her toward a future she wills into existence.

Lin-Manuel Miranda - Pop, Broadway

It Won’t Be Long Now

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Duration: 4:35

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[VANESSA] The elevated train by my window doesn't faze me anymore The rattling screams don't disrupt my dreams It's a lullaby, in its way The elevated train drives everyone insane, but I don't mind, oh no When I bring back boys, they can't tolerate the noise And that's okay, 'cause I never let them stay And one day, I'm hoppin' that elevated train And I'm riding away, yeah It won't be long now The boys around the way holler at me when I'm walking down the street Their machismo pride doesn't break my stride It's a compliment, so they say The boys around the way holler at me every day But I don't mind, oh no, whoa If I'm in the mood, it will not be with some dude Who is whistling 'cause he has nothing to say Or who's honking at me from his Chevrolet And one day, I'm hoppin' in a limousine And I'm driving away, yeah, yeah, yeah It won't be long now [Some men approach Vanessa.] [VANESSA, spoken] Ay, Usnavi, help! SOS! [Usnavi enters wielding a price tagging gun, chasing away the men approaching Vanessa.] [USNAVI] Good morning, Vanessa If it isn't the loveliest girl in the place [VANESSA] You've got some schmutz on your face [SONNY] Good morning [SONNY/USNAVI] Good morning [USNAVI] Vanessa [SONNY] Vanessa [USNAVI/SONNY] Vanessa [DANIELA, spoken] Vanessa! I'm thirsty, coño! [VANESSA, spoken] Can I get a Pepsi and some packing tape? [SONNY, spoken] Uh, my cousin over there with his tongue hanging out, has been meaning to ask you… [VANESSA, spoken] Yes? [SONNY, spoken] What a lady such as yourself might be doing tonight. [VANESSA, spoken] Does your cousin dance? [SONNY, spoken] Like a drunk Chita Rivera. [VANESSA, spoken] Okay… After Nina's dinner, we can hit a few clubs and check out the fireworks. [USNAVI] Oh snap! Who's that? Don't touch me, I'm too hot! Yes! ¿Qué pasó? Here I go! So dope! Y tu lo sabes! No pare [SONNY/USNAVI] Sigue sigue! [USNAVI] Did you see me? [SONNY/USNAVI] Freaky freak it! [USNAVI, with SONNY] What a way to begin the weekend Sonny, anything you want is free, man! And my dearly beloved Dominican Republic I haven't forgotten you Gonna see this honey, make a little money And one day I'll hop Jet Blue! But until that fateful day, I'm grateful I got a destination I'm runnin' to make it home And home's what Vanessa's runnin' away from I'm runnin' to make it home And home's what Vanessa's runnin' away from [VANESSA] The neighborhood salon is the place I am working for the moment As I cut their hair, ladies talk and share Every day, who's doin' who and why The neighborhood salon doesn't pay me what I wanna be making But I don't mind As I sweep the curb I can hear those turbo engines blazing a trail through the sky I look up and think about the years gone by But one day, I'm walkin' to JFK and I'm gonna fly It won't be long now Any day…

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Writers: Lin-Manuel Miranda

It Won’t Be Long Now

It Won’t Be Long Now

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Credits