In November of last year, Walt
Disney Animation Studios released their latest animated feature to join the long-running
Disney Canon. “Encanto” tells the story of a family in Colombia, blessed with a
magical home and supernatural powers save for young Mirabel. Despite being “ungifted,”
Mirabel finds herself having to save the day when the titular encanto empowering her family begins to
disappear. Music fans may perhaps remember this film for having original songs
written by Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame. One song in particular has
seen a meteoric rise in the months since the movie’s release, to the point of topping
the Billboard Hot 100.
Entertainment Weekly tells us that “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” a
song from the November 2021 Disney animated film “Encanto,” has reached the
number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 by January 31. This is notable as the
only other time a Disney animated film song pulled off this feat on Billboard
was way back in 1993, when “A Whole New World” (credits version) from “Aladdin”
ruled the chart. “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” entered the Hot 100 in January 8,
and its making the Number 1 spot dethroned “Easy on Me” by Adele.
It certainly helped that the
song, one of several written for “Encanto” by Lin-Manuel Miranda, gained some
viral popularity that lasted long after the film’s cinematic run. The Latin
beat was a given plus point; so too perhaps the catchy refrain. (“We don’t talk
about Bruno, no, no no!”) The context of the song as sung in the movie might
also be another reason for its popularity. In the associated scene, the
Madrigal Family explains to Mirabel why her disappeared Uncle Bruno is not
spoken of within the family, a familiar sentiment perhaps to many.
The ascendancy of “We Don’t Talk
About Bruno” on the Billboard Hot 100 was very surprising indeed. Listeners
took notice when it passed the highest chart position of memorable ear-worm “Let
It Go” from 2013’s “Frozen.” This would come as a relief to “Frozen”-fatigued
parents as their children find another (less high-note) song to sing
repeatedly. “Bruno” also now holds the distinction of having the most credited
performers on a Hot 100 top song, as it was performed by seven cast members of “Encanto”
(or their singing voice-talents). Elsewhere, “Bruno” also rules the Official UK
Singles Chart, and is now on its second week, even.
Image from Variety
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR 2022!
0 comments:
Post a Comment