Today we have the song that propelled the Encanto soundtrack to the top of the charts and became a cultural phenomenon (to the extent that anything can do that these days).
‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ is now the highest-charting Disney single since 1995, when Aladdin‘s ‘A Whole New World’ reached #1. ‘Bruno’ currently sits at #2, kept from the top spot by Adele’s ‘Easy On Me,’ which has perched there for 10 straight weeks. Will Bruno unseat the queen? I wouldn’t bet against him.
[Note: I was right not to bet against him. A few days after I wrote this post, ‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ took over the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming only the second Disney single to do so. This also marks the highest number of credited performers on a #1 song (congrats to Stefanie Beatriz and the rest of the cast!). And it’s the first #1 hit for Lin-Manuel Miranda. Interestingly, ‘Bruno’ is the first #1 in four years penned by a single writer, which says a lot about how hit songs are crafted these days. Now, back to the blog post in progress…]
The song’s unlikely success is largely due to TikTok, where it has been sliced and diced to soundtrack many a dance routine or comedy sketch. It’s heartening to see this embrace of Lin Manuel Miranda on TikTok, as the platform has been the main source of the absurd backlash against one of our most talented and decent entertainers.
This song, which was instantly my favorite when watching the movie, is a delicious blend of Miranda’s Broadway influences and the salsa rhythms he tapped for much of Encanto‘s soundtrack. Multiple characters deliver the verses, then join together in a stirring finale worthy of the stage. This is an Act One closer in the vein of Hamilton‘s glorious ‘Non-Stop.’
Disney producers are no doubt kicking themselves over the decision to submit only Encanto‘s ballad ‘Dos Oruguitas’ for Oscar consideration, unaware that ‘Bruno’ and ‘Surface Pressure’ would become such big hits. Miranda may well have landed two or three Oscar nods had they submitted them all.
We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no
We don’t talk about Bruno, but
[Verse 1: Pepa & Félix]
It was my wedding day (It was our wedding day)
We were getting ready
And there wasn’t a cloud in the sky (No clouds allowed in the sky)
Bruno walks in with a mischievous grin (Thunder)
You telling this story or am I? (I’m sorry, mi vida, go on)
Bruno says, “It looks like rain” (Why did he tell us?)
In doing so, he floods my brain (Abuela, get the umbrellas!)
Married in a hurricane (What a joyous day, but anyway)
[Chorus: Pepa, Félix & Camilo, Dolores]
We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no (We don’t talk about Bruno, no)
We don’t talk about Bruno (Hey)
[Verse 2: Dolores & Camilo]
Grew to live in fear of Bruno stuttering or stumbling
I can always hear him sort of muttering and mumbling
I associate him with the sound of falling sand (Ch, ch, ch)
It’s a heavy lift with a gift so humbling
Always left Abuela and the family fumbling
Grappling with prophecies they couldn’t understand
Do you understand?
A seven-foot frame, rats along his back
When he calls your name, it all fades to black
Yeah, he sees your dreams and feasts on your screams (Hey)
[Chorus: Pepa & Félix, Dolores]
We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no, no (No, no)
We don’t talk about Bruno (We don’t talk about Bruno)
[Verse 3: Ensemble, Townsperson 1, TP 2 & TP 3]
He told me my fish would die
The next day, dead (No, no)
He told me I’d grow a gut
And just like he said (No, no)
He said that all my hair would disappear
Now, look at my head (No, no)
Your fate is sealed when your prophecy is read
[Verse 4: Isabela, Abuela & Dolores]
He told me that the life of my dreams
Would be promised, and someday be mine
He told me that my power would grow
Like the grapes that thrive on the vine (Oye, Mariano’s on his way)
He told me that the man of my dreams
Would be just out of reach, betrothed to another
It’s like I hear him now (Hey sis)
I want not a sound out of you (It’s like I can hear him now)
I can hear him now
[Verse 5: Mirabel, Camilo, Abuela & Isabela]
Um, Bruno
Yeah, about that Bruno
I really need to know about Bruno
Gimme the truth and the whole truth, Bruno
Isabela, your boyfriend’s here
Time for dinner
[Verse 6]
[Pepa, Félix, Dolores, Camilo, & (Isabella)]
It was my wedding day, we were getting ready; it was our wedding day; grew to live in fear of Bruno stuttering or stumbling, I can always hear him sort of muttering and mumbling; a seven-foot frame, rats along his back; (He told me that the life of my dreams)
And there wasn’t a cloud in the sky; no clouds allowed in the sky; I associate him with the sound of falling sand, ch, ch, ch; when he calls your name, it all fades to black; (Would be promised and someday be mine)
Bruno walks in with a mischievous grin; thunder; it’s a heavy lift with a gift so humbling, always left Abuela and the family fumbling; yeah, he sees your dreams and feasts on your screams; (He told me that my power would grow)
You telling this story or am I?; I’m sorry, mi vida, go on; grappling with prophecies they couldn’t understand, do you understand?; (Like the grapes that thrive on the vine)
[Abuela]
Óye, Mariano’s on his way
[Pepa, Félix, Dolores, Camilo, & (Isabella)]
Bruno says, “It looks like rain”; why did he tell us?; he told me that the man of my dreams; a seven-foot frame, rats along his back; (He told me that the life of my dreams)
In doing so, he floods my brain; Abuela, get the umbrellas!; would be just out of reach, betrothed to another, another; when he calls your name, it all fades to black; (Would be promised and someday be mine)
Married in a hurricane; what a joyous day, but anyway; And I’m fine, and I’m fine, and I’m fine, I’ll be fine; yeah, he sees your dreams and feasts on your screams; (And I’m fine, and I’m fine, and I’m fine, I’m fine)
[All]
He’s here
[Chorus: All & Mirabel]
Don’t talk about Bruno, no (Why did I talk about Bruno?)
Not a word about Bruno (I never shoulda brought up Bruno)
Meet Me In Montauk 
It’s been years since I have listened to Top 40 radio, but I am curious to know if this song topping the Billboard charts translates to significant radio play or is it really all about TikTok, YouTube, downloads, etc.
I don’t think it’s getting played on radio, but it’s definitely being streamed on YouTube and elsewhere. TikTok plays aren’t calculated into the Billboard ratings, but that platform pushes people to seek out the song elsewhere.
I figured this song’s unlikely rise to the top of the charts may have been what prompted this week’s theme. I’ve been meaning to go check out the TiK Tok phenom as I did love the song within the film. Not sure why they made such a safe choice for the nomination process, as “Under the Sea” and other such big Broadwayesque numbers have had success at the Oscars.