Award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda has a theory attributed to the roaring success of the Encanto song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” — and he is right. Encanto follows Mirabel Madrigal (Stephanie Beatriz) as she saves the miracle of her magical family and their community. Released on November 24, 2021, the 60th Disney Animated Canon only grossed over $248 million against a production budget of $150 million. Despite its quite unsatisfactory theatrical run, Encanto received critical acclaim and gained wider popularity when it was made available on Disney+ over the holiday season. Consequently, its soundtrack also became a record-breaking sensation, topping various streaming charts all at the same time.
Just days after the streaming release of the film, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” became a viral sound on TikTok, even topping the Billboard Hot 100. Not only did Encanto’s best song surpass Frozen’s “Let It Go”, but it also became the second number-one hit from Disney after Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” achieved the feat in 1993. This accomplishment was the first time a Disney animated movie soundtrack topped the charts alongside one of its songs for weeks. Performed by an ensemble crew, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” also had the most credited recording artists ever on a number-one song.
In a recent interview with LA Times, Hamilton creator and Encanto songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda shared his theory about the success of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” He attributed the overwhelmingly positive reception to the blending of different musical styles and voices within the song. Miranda’s idea to craft an ensemble performance came from his desire to create distinct themes for each family member, such as the ASMR-like whispers of Dolores and the classic Cuban piano montuno influencing the verses of Félix and his wife Pepa, whose original power almost ruined the Encanto song, and the spooky, imaginative delivery of the shape-shifter Camilo. As Miranda noted, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” is set to “be a karaoke jam forever because everyone can grab the mic at one moment or another,” given its beautiful mashup of voices.
Moreover, as every character performs their assigned verse, they also relate their own perspective regarding Bruno, building on each other’s narrative and energy until the song reaches its theatrical climax. This does not only reflect Miranda’s talent to write catchy Broadway-inspired tunes. It also drives Encanto’s plot forward. In just one song, almost every arc in the movie is served, from the added pressure for Isabella’s life to remain perfect to the prediction regarding Dolores’ love life. The song also showcases how a clan typically gossips about an outcast and unfairly blames them for their family issues, only to eventually be proven wrong. As such, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” which repeats Miranda’s Hamilton trick, rakes in listeners with its relatable group dynamic.
The omnipresent social media and streaming sites further created a cultural moment in “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” TikTok creators have maximized the song’s theatricality and humor, and its numerous characters serving as an invitation to role-play contribute to its continuously growing Internet popularity. Disney might not have foreseen the success of the unexpected hit, as proven by the company’s decision not to submit the song for an Academy Award nomination. Regardless, the genre-blending legacy of Encanto’s “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” remains, becoming one of the best songs in the history of Disney.