I still have a handful of movies to watch before I can wrap up my definitive top ten of 2021 and start spinning out some blog posts about last year on the big screen.
But I didn’t want to let a certain pop culture moment go unmentioned, so I’m dedicating this week to the music of Disney’s Encanto.
The animated film’s soundtrack, which features eight songs by Lin Manuel Miranda and a couple of dozen instrumental pieces by composer Germaine Franco, currently sits atop the Billboard 200 albums chart, making it only the sixth soundtrack from an animated film to occupy that slot.
This appears to be a case where a movie’s rush to a streaming platform paid off. Encanto debuted on Disney Plus just a month after its theatrical premiere, a move that cost it box office dollars but made it a presence in millions of homes over the holiday season.
The tale of a Colombian family blessed with magical powers — and 15-year-old sister/cousin/daughter Mirabel who is not — Encanto finds Miranda blending his Broadway instincts with Latin flavors, and hitting a nerve in a way he hasn’t since Hamilton.
Today’s track is the film’s opener, introducing the concept and cast of characters with Miranda’s signature wit and flow.
Drawers!
Floors!
Doors!
Let’s goooo!
[Verse 1: Mirabel & Ensemble, Both]
This is our home, we’ve got every generation
So full of music, a rhythm of its own design
This is my family, a perfect constellation
So many stars and everybody gets to shine
Whoa (Oh-oh-oh-oh), but let’s be clear, Abuela runs this show
Whoa (Oh-oh-oh-oh), she led us here so many years ago
Whoa (Oh-oh-oh-oh), and every year our family blessings grow!
There’s just a lot you’ve simply got to know, so
[Chorus: Mirabel]
Welcome to the Family Madrigal
The home of the Family Madrigal (We’re on our way!)
Wherе all the people arе fantastical and magical
I’m part of the Family Madrigal!
[Interlude 1]
[Alejandra, Juancho & Cecilia] “Oh my gosh, it’s them!”
[Alejandra] “What are the gifts?”
[Cecilia] “I can’t remember all the gifts”
[Alejandra] “But I don’t know who is who”
[Mirabel] “Mm-mm-, alright, alright, relax!”
[Alejandra] “It is physically impossible to relax!”
[Cecilia] “Tell us everything! What are your powers?”
[Juancho] “Just tell us what everyone can do!”
[Mirabel] “And that’s why coffee’s for grown-ups”
[Verse 2: Mirabel & Ensemble]
My tía Pepa, her mood affects the weather
When she’s unhappy, well, the temperature gets weird
My tío Bruno (We don’t talk about Bruno!)
They say he saw the future, one day he disappeared
Oh (Oh-oh-oh-oh), and that’s my mom Julieta, here’s her deal
Whoa! (Oh-oh-oh-oh), the truth is, she can heal you with a meal
Whoa! (Oh-oh-oh-oh), her recipes are remedies for real
If you’re impressed, imagine how I feel—Mom?!
[Chorus: Mirabel, Mirabel, Felix & Agustín]
Welcome to the Family Madrigal!
The home of the Family Madrigal! (Hey, coming through!)
I know it sounds a bit fantastical and magical
But I’m part of the Family Madrigal!
Two guys fell in love with Family Madrigal
(Hey, Family Madrigal!)
And now they’re part of the Family Madrigal
So, yeah, Tío Félix married Pepa and my dad married Julieta
That’s how Abuela became an Abuela Madrigal! (Let’s go, let’s go!)
[Verse 3: Abuela]
We swear to always help those around us
And earn the miracle that somehow found us
The town keeps growing, the world keeps turning
But work and dedication will keep the miracle burning
And each new generation must keep the miracle burning
[Interlude 2]
[Alejandra] “Wait— who’s the sister and who’s the cousin?”
[Cecilia] “There’s so many people!”
[Juancho] “How do you keep them all straight?”
[Mirabel] Okay, okay, okay, okay
[Bridge: Mirabel & Townspeople]
So many kids in our house, so let’s turn the sound up!
You know why? I think it’s time for a grandkid round-up!
(Grandkid round-up!)
[Verse 4: Mirabel & Townspeople, Both]
Cousin Dolores can hear a pin drop
Camilo shape shifts, Antonio gets his gift today!
My older sisters: Isabela and Luisa
One strong, one graceful, perfect in every way!
(Isabela!) Grows a flower, the town goes wild
(Isabela!) She’s the perfect golden child
(Luisa! Luisa! Luisa! Luisa!) And Luisa’s super strong
The beauty and the brawn do no wrong
[Chorus: Mirabel & Ensemble]
That’s life in the Family Madrigal! (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Now you know the Family Madrigal (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
Where all the people are fantastical and magical (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
That’s who we are in the Family… Madrigal!
[Interlude 3]
[Mirabel] ¡Adiós! “Ooo!”
[Alejandra] “But what’s your gift?”
[Mirabel] Ha!
[Chorus: Mirabel & Ensemble]
Well, I gotta go, the life of a Madrigal! (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
But now you all know the Family Madrigal! (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
I never meant this to get autobiographical (Oh-oh-oh-oh)
So just to review the Family Madrigal
Let’s go
[Verse 5: Mirabel & Children]
(But what about Mirabel?)
It starts with Abuela, and then Tía Pepa, she handles the weather
(But what about Mirabel?)
My mom Julieta can make you feel better with just one arepa
(But what about Mirabel?)
My dad Agustín, well, he’s accident-prone but he means well
(But what about Mirabel?)
Hey, you said you wanna know what everyone does, I got sisters and cousins and (Mirabel!)
My primo Camilo won’t stop until he makes you smile today! (Mirabel!)
My cousin Dolores can hear this whole chorus a mile away! (Mirabel!)
Look! It’s Mister Mariano, hey
You can marry my sister if you wanna (Mirabel!)
But between you and me, she’s kind of a prima donna
Yo, I’ve said too much, and thank you but I really gotta go! (Mirabel!)
My family’s amazing! (Mirabel!)
And I’m in my family, so (Mirabel!)
Well…
[Outro: Abuela]
“Mirabel!!!”
Meet Me In Montauk 
Agreed this was a wonderful movie with great music. I will say, however, that I found the opening scene with this song less than effective as it was difficult to catch the lyrics and, therefore, to absorb the considerable amount of information being conveyed. This becomes less of a concern upon repeat viewing/listening once you are familiar with the characters and can catch/understand more of the lyrics.
Love this film and the music. I’ve been amused watching Bruno storm up the charts.