Groff originated the role of Melchior Gabor in the Broadway production of Spring Awakening since its debut on December 10, 2006. He also played the same role in the original Off Broadway production earlier during the summer of 2006. In 2007 he played the recurring role of Henry Mackler on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live. His storyline about a school shooting on the long running soap opera was nixed due to the Virginia Tech shooting in April 2007. In April 2007, he was was nominated for Drama Desk award for his role in Spring Awakening. In May 2007, Jon was nominated for the Actor- Musical Tony for his role of Melchoir in Spring Awakening.
From 2010-2015, Groff played the recurring role of Jesse St. James on the musical comedy-drama, Glee.
In 2013, he was the voice of Kristoff in the movie Frozen.
In 2015, he returned to Broadway, playing King George in the smash hit musical Hamilton. He was nominated for a Tony for his role in Hamiton, but lost to his co-star Daveed Diggs.
Jonathan appeared in the role of Franklin Shepard in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Merrily We Roll Along," and appears in the cast recording released in November 2023.
I Know Him
Jonathan Groff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
George Washington's yielding his power and stepping away
Is that true?
I wasn't aware that was something a person could do
I'm perplexed
Are they gonna keep on replacing whoever's in charge?
If so, who's next?
There's nobody else in their country who looms quite as large
John Adams?
I know him
That can't be
That's that little guy who spoke to me
All those years ago
What was it, eighty-five?
That poor man, they're gonna eat him alive
Oceans rise
Empires fall
Next to Washington, they all look small
All alone
Watch them run
They will tear each other into pieces
Jesus Christ, this will be fun
Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da
Da da da dat dat da ya da
President John Adams
Good Luck
The lyrics of "I Know Him" by Jonathan Groff is from the hit musical "Hamilton". The song is mostly sung by King George III, the king of Great Britain during the American Revolution, as he expresses his confusion about the American political system and the people who are stepping in to replace George Washington as president. At first, he is skeptical that anyone could yield his or her power and step away, especially someone as powerful as George Washington. He wonders if they keep replacing the leader with someone else, and who would be next. He then mentions John Adams, but he knows him as "that little guy who spoke to me all those years ago." King George III is amused by the thought of watching the chaos that will follow the change in leadership, as he sings "Jesus Christ, this will be fun."
This song is both comic and sinister, as it expresses the newfound power and defiance of the American colonists, contrasted against the bewildered British monarchy. King George III is both condescending and contemptuous of the American people and their newly won political freedom, as well as amazed and confused by their resilience and potential. The line "Oceans rise, empires fall/ Next to Washington, they all look small" emphasizes the significance of George Washington in American history and the great change he initiated.
Line by Line Meaning
They say
Jonathan Groff is skeptical of what he's hearing and wants someone to prove that it's true
George Washington's yielding his power and stepping away
Jonathan Groff is shocked that George Washington is giving up his power
Is that true?
Jonathan Groff is unsure about the validity of the statement
I wasn't aware that was something a person could do
Jonathan Groff is surprised that a leader could give up their power willingly
I'm perplexed
Jonathan Groff is confused and curious about what is going to happen next
Are they gonna keep on replacing whoever's in charge?
Jonathan Groff is wondering if leadership is going to keep changing continuously
If so, who's next?
Jonathan Groff is wondering who the next leader will be
There's nobody else in their country who looms quite as large
George Washington cast such a large shadow that nobody could quite fill his shoes
John Adams?
Jonathan Groff is surprised that John Adams is the President now
I know him
Jonathan Groff knows who John Adams is
That can't be
Jonathan Groff is still having trouble accepting that John Adams is the President
That's that little guy who spoke to me
Jonathan Groff remembers meeting John Adams when he was younger
All those years ago
Jonathan Groff is reminiscing about the past
What was it, eighty-five?
Jonathan Groff is recalling that the encounter took place a long time ago
That poor man, they're gonna eat him alive
Jonathan Groff feels bad for John Adams because he doesn't think he's capable of leading
Oceans rise
Jonathan Groff is expressing that things can change quickly and drastically
Empires fall
Jonathan Groff is making a reference to the transience of power and leadership
Next to Washington, they all look small
Jonathan Groff is acknowledging how George Washington was such a monumental figure
All alone
Jonathan Groff feels like he's on his own
Watch them run
Jonathan Groff is observing that other leaders are panicking and trying to figure out what to do
They will tear each other into pieces
Jonathan Groff is predicting that the other leaders will turn on each other
Jesus Christ, this will be fun
Jonathan Groff is sarcastically remarking that the situation will be entertaining to watch
Da da da dat da dat da da da da ya da
This is a musical interlude and does not have a specific meaning
Da da da dat dat da ya da
This is a musical interlude and does not have a specific meaning
President John Adams
Jonathan Groff is acknowledging that John Adams is now the President
Good luck
Jonathan Groff is sarcastically wishing John Adams good luck in his new position
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind