How “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” Breaks the Disney Hit Mold

The title may claim otherwise, but everybody’s talking about “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”, the unexpected breakout song from Disney’s latest film “Encanto”. Since the movie’s release, the song has climbed to number 4 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. This makes “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” the highest-charting Disney song in 26 years, matching ranks with “Colors of The Wind” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and even beating out major hit “Let It Go”.

With lyrics and music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, also known for “Hamilton”, “Moana”, “In The Heights”, and more, this song breaks the Disney hit mold in two very interesting ways: it’s an ensemble piece, and it has a strong narrative arc.

Typically, the songs that become Disney classics are sung by one character, and they focus more on their thoughts and emotions than the plot of the story (think “Part of Your World”, “Reflection”, “Go The Distance”, etc.). “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” does the exact opposite of this, using multiple characters and intertwining melodies to give the audience background information and move the plot forward. It’s fresh, engaging, and undeniably catchy, and it expands the definition of what makes a Disney song a hit.

If you love “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” as much as we do, here are some other songs with similar elements: multiple characters, compelling storytelling, and melodies and harmonies you’ll want to sing over and over again:

• 96,000 from “In The Heights”

• The Schuyler Sisters from “Hamilton”

• 28 Hours/Wherever We Are from “Come from Away”

• Your Fault from “Into The Woods”

• On My Way from “Violet”

• The Telephone Hour from “Bye Bye Birdie”

• Wait for Me from “Hadestown”

• What’s Inside from “Waitress”

• One Day More from “Les Misérables”

• Prologue from “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812”

• The Smartphone Hour: (Rich Set a Fire) from “Be More Chill”

Published on January 24, 2022