How We Don't Talk About Bruno Works & Why It's Amazing

I reveal the secrets of Lin-Manuel Miranda's newest hit song "We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Disney's Encanto.
Secrets of Dos Oruguitas: • The Secret Meaning of ...
0:00 Intro
0:38 Madrigals
2:13 How the Bassline Works
3:16 Names Explained
6:08 Mirabel the Conductor
7:27 What Green Means
8:11 The True Villain
9:52 Melodic Meanings
11:54 Why Bruno is a Door
12:56 Mirabel's Dress Explained
13:40 Dos Oruguitas
Produced by Monica M. Lee
Additional Research by Annika Hoseth
Images by Pixabay and Pexels.
Use of copyrighted music is licensed under fair use.
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#Encanto #LinManuelMiranda #Disney

[@hakasims]

If the Madrigals were pirates: “We don’t talk about Oscar, arrr arrr arrr”

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL

[@angellightraven8257]

😄😂😂😂😂👍🏻👍🏻

[@yourstepmother8109]

But! It was me weddin' day

[@thelordnaevis4946]

@@yourstepmother8109 it was ARR wedding day

[@yourstepmother8109]

@@thelordnaevis4946 lmao

[@dogwithheadphones]

Short answer: We Don’t Talk About Bruno works so well because it’s written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL...I will accept that answer as well.

[@hotdog0275]

It's basically [insert song] works so well because it's written by Lin Manuel Miranda.

[@dogwithheadphones]

@@hotdog0275 that is a valid point. And very accurate.

[@leslieramirez5092]

THIS !!! Lin-Manuel Miranda is absolutely EVERYTHING!!

[@magicpentameter]

Nobody would give a fuck about something being written by LMM if he didn't do the things that work so well tho

[@purplexninjamom]

You just made me realize something. The threes of the magical powers. Julieta, Pepa and Bruno = past hurts, present weather, future. Dolores, Camilo, Antonio = Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Isabela, Luisa, Mirabel = beauty, brawns,... and brains. Mirabel is not only the next matriarch and the heart of the house, but also the literal head.

[@heathertoomey7068]

This needs to be be pinned!

[@L8yMeg314]

Hi! Maybe this is a stretch, but I also want to add another 3: RGB, the primary colors. Pepa and her familia wear hues of red, Bruno green, Julieta and her familia wear hues of blue

[@Potatoesop]

@@L8yMeg314 even of its a stretch it still fits. Like Isabela wears purple which although the exact shade doesn’t fit, purple is a mix of blue (what her branch of the family wears) and red, which is what Abuela Alma wears.

[@KiraX2lol]

I wonder if this is true, these writers/artists get very literary.

[@kawaii33366]

How is camilo and antonio speak and see no evil...

[@bzqp2]

Since you mentioned the color palettes - Mirabel shares colors with EVERY other Madrigal family member. Most of them on the dress, Bruno on the glasses. As for why Luisa is not singing in the song - it's because at this point she's "lost her instrument". You can also say, she's... "POWERLEEEEESS!" xd

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL...poor Luisa, although you do see her dancing during the song.

[@arianewinter4266]

budum tch, true

[@tejaswoman]

Fantastic In the Heights reference. Thank you for that.

[@tarrinnicole]

@@HowardHoMusic very sadly lol

[@adlirez]

@@HowardHoMusic *waddles sadly around the table* XD

[@jasonb.2773]

Luisa probably didn’t get a verse because she’s so focused on helping others that she never got a chance to think about her own life.

[@HowardHoMusic]

So true.

[@isthataspider7410]

In the music video, you can actually see her in the background moving pillars. She’s busy working the whole time! So you’re right.

[@StoryMing]

@@isthataspider7410 Her door is flickering and you see her really struggling to lift the thing. She also appears along with everyone else at he very end of the song, but I can’t tell what (or if?) she is singing

[@Ghost15431]

@@StoryMing No I'm pretty sure she's not singing, she's shuffling after the others and still crying in that part of the song. Poor Luisa

[@bzqp2]

Not really. She's not working, she's TRYING to work. She's lost her power, she can't "sing" with the rest of the Madrigals. That's why she's outside of... the madrigal.

[@lusverma2136]

Green has also been a color associated with several Disney villains. They subverted it with Bruno.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Excellent point.

[@Flow99]

Subverts bruno cutely

[@pellucoso]

Like everything being done lately in Disney. Looking at the "bad" differently. Master piece! This video and the song. 👏👏👏

[@darkmoonthedirewolf9231]

True

[@mazenalnajjar9870]

and disney "invented" the color go away green, its a shade of green they use when they want something not to be seen, like bins, unescessary buildings and light posts, and the poncho that bruno wears is that color, which helps the case that bruno walks around the house not seen. that is also why he is hidden in the back of dolores' scene and the encanto posters

[@the0.01germsleft8]

OH.MY.GOD. This movie is so well put together , these aren’t even Easter eggs like in normal Disney movies, they’re apart of the story, it lowkey scares me how well put together this movie is

[@singingsamanthamonique5859]

I wonder how long people were thinking about this movie and how much they had to put into it

[@beyondredemption8179]

@@singingsamanthamonique5859 It has been stated that Encanto has been in production for over 5 years, which makes sense considering how well-put-together it is.

[@ElsaPatriciaMedina]

@@singingsamanthamonique5859 5 years.

[@andrewqi6695]

@@beyondredemption8179 Most movies take at least 3-4 years to finish (for Disney of course), so 5 is above average

[@Lepidopterous.]

So true. I was so impressed by this video that I subscribed, and I only subscribe to new KZbin users like once or twice a year.

[@ms.aelanwyr.ilaicos]

I like that Isabella's verse sounds positive, but we later find out, in "What Else Can I Do" and its surrounding dialogue, that she probably did not believe Bruno's prophecy about her was going to come to pass. When Isabella sings her verse in this song, she was poised to consign herself to an unhappy life, in accord with her supposed duty to Abuela's vision for the family. At this point in the narrative, Isabella's prophecy is a prophecy betrayed. She is just as down on Bruno as the other characters, albeit for a different reason. Nevertheless, she tries to keep up the façade of perfection by masking her inclusion in the negativity of the rest of the song (which can be heard as she "hides" in another key by way of the perfect minor, as described in the video).

[@HowardHoMusic]

Nicely said!

[@luzmariaguerrero7378]

It's interesting to think about it because her prediction although it was positive made her feel more like she was supposed to wait for the moment where the life of her dream was going to be "hers" after being promised for it, maybe that's why she was so closed to have a perfect proposal and marriage because people tend to promise to each other a happy life on weddings, no? So she was so angry at Mirabel because she ruined her chance to fullfil her profecy/promise too lol

[@b.f.2461]

Like many other Madrigals, we can hear her singing "I'm fine," which is a sign that they are actually not fine at all.

[@hardcandy9880]

@@stephaniemurray9036 and look how Mirabel was looking at her. Her expression says "oh of course everyone's prophecies are bad but yours is great because you are sooo perfect" but in What Else Can I Do, Mirabel finalky gets her and she uses the same melody.

[@hardcandy9880]

My interpretation was she was hoping that Bruno's prediction means she can finally be happy, because she isnt happy now, hence "someday be mine".

[@GenGenGen]

In the end, I realised that even though Isabela's verse in we don't talk about Bruno seemed like the only positive one, it actually fit in with rest because to her it was negative. She was forced into a life of perfection in her eyes because of the prediction and Mirabel helps her see she doesn't always need to be perfect.

[@Adamant_Adam]

I saw it as Isa seeing the vision as a promise her dreams to be herself and imperfect would come true, but just having to fake it until she made it

[@aQuayQuay]

Isabella's and Dolores' verse is the most important in the song because the visions haven't been fulfilled yet. It's easy to say that Isabella's life is perfect in Abuella's and Mirabel's eyes, but Isabella feels like it's not, so it isn't because it's HER life. That's a duality of a gift such a fortune telling. Everyone says they want to know their future, but as soon as something negative comes out of the messenger's mouth they shoot them.

[@rainpooper7088]

Her last verse in the chorus at the end is „I‘ll be fine“ which basically shows that she is willing to go through with this marriage she doesn’t want because of Bruno‘s prophecy. That’s why she doesn’t speak up about not wanting to marry Mariano, she just keeps telling herself that she just needs to follow through with what is asked of her and eventually it will pay off as Bruno predicted.

[@kazzellinempanger8998]

Following up with what @Rainpooper mentioned, it’s possible the conversation between Isa and Bruno went along the lines of: “There will come a time when you won’t always have to be perfect.” “You mean it?” “It will happen someday; I promise.” Years later: “He told me that the life of my dreams would be promised and someday be mine.”

[@5trawb3ry_m1lk2]

And it wasn't the life of her dreams so it hadnt come true yet she was the only one who knew though

[@imtryingiswear97]

Another note on Mira meaning look in Spanish: it has a touching narrative meaning too. The whole film has a motif of "open your eyes", and is about Mirabel wanting to be seen.

[@BellaCupcakez]

that is amazing

[@ShinningDStar]

Open your eyes and see the beauty? Mirabel

[@sarasamaletdin4574]

Mirabel’s name originally also was Mariana, it was mentioned in the original announcements for the characters. So that was changed to be more meaningful.

[@iteachlit]

And she’s the first female Disney protagonist to wear glasses…. (EDIT: Oops, just hit that part of the video-)

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

Riiiiight

[@andrewdaley6845]

Ho, you’re a genius. But there’s a couple reasons why it wouldn’t make much sense for Luisa to have a part in We Don’t Talk About Bruno, even if she didn’t already have her own song. 1) she was the one that told Mirabel to look for the vision (kind of already talked about Bruno). Her powers were the first to falter so she had a vested interest in Mirabel finding out what was goin on 2) Super strength is ironically a heavy burden, and she was too busy fixing other peoples problems to worry about her prophecy. In conclusion 🤓 she had no real reason to have beef with Bruno

[@HowardHoMusic]

Haha...okay, that makes sense too.

[@moonwalkerangel7008]

Not to mention her solo song comes BEFORE awe Don’t talk about Bruno, Lusia already had the spotlight on her with her solo.

[@fawncarter5912]

Or maybe Luisa not having a verse was trying draw subtle attention to Doloras having 2 verses. The first that she whispers, slipping enough key information to lead Mirabel to Bruno on her own. That first verse is actually difficult to hear when everyone is singing together at the end as if she doesn't want the rest of the family to hear it coming from her.

[@AgathaVitoriaTavares]

Something I've never seen anyone say about Isabela's part is that she sings "he told me that the life of my dreams would be promised and SOMEDAY be mine", meaning she WASN'T living the life of her dreams then, because she was forced to live a perfect but fake life, and her dream was to be able to live an imperfect but true life, which she got in the end.

[@isabelmartin8427]

Also it was the same melody as Dolores' sad verse about not being with Mariano...

[@justsomeaveragehuman186]

OMG YES! I've been looking for this comment!!!

[@ghostsprobably]

I'm pretty sure she says "someday" because she got her prediction a long time ago, before Bruno went to live in the shadows. the part of her bit I thought was most important is that she's lying when she says "life of my dreams" because he probably showed her as being perfect and getting proposed to by Mariano or something similar

[@moonwalkerangel7008]

@@ghostsprobably Only to learn the “life of my dreams” was to break away from being perfect. In the scene where Mirabel is trying to hug Isabela Isabela shouts “I NEVER WANTED TO MARRY HIM, I WAS DOING IT FOR THE FAMILY!” It shatters what we as the audience think this marriage is what Isabela wants, but in reality, , she wanted to break free from the expectation and the pressures of being perfect. In fact, in What else can I do, Mirabela sings “All I know are the blossoms you grow”. All Mirabel and the rest of the town have known Isabela is her perfection and the perfect flowers, but not who Isabela truly is.

[@ghostsprobably]

@@moonwalkerangel7008 I know, but I think all of that is subverting what the vision was, and that what Bruno actually saw was her living the life abuela wanted, which she had been living for years she got her prediction when she was a small child and it taught her that she had to be Perfect and give up her actual dreams her part in the song is another way she's hiding the truth, she hates her vision just as much as everyone else did but she can't say that

[@Arterismos]

Bruno is the epitome of the phrase "correlation is not causation."

[@Gamer2k4]

Mostly. Pepa is an exception, as she sings: "Bruno says it looks like rain. In doing so he floods my brain." She controls weather with her emotions, so when Bruno said what he did, he caused her to grow anxious, which caused the thunderstorm.

[@shrimpshufflr7745]

@@Gamer2k4 but he didn't predict that, so it's a different case. There he is causation, not correlation

[@georgy2596]

In a way, he did, depending on how you perceive seeing the future. If you say it’s absolute and whatever you see will happen because if what you do, then he did predict it.

[@anib8863]

@@Gamer2k4 True, though that wasn't a prophecy, that was Bruno trying, and failing, to lighten the mood.

[@FlawlessP401]

@@Gamer2k4 she can't control her emotions and it's somehow his fault lmao

[@Brian-rh7ws]

Also in Isabela's solo, notice how she says that Bruno said that her power would "grow like the grape that thrives on the vine," which predicted that she'd be able to grow plants that aren't just flowers, such as grapes

[@Flow99]

Exactly. This is why we need smart people.

[@Geostelar4920]

Grapes have flowers though...All fruiting plants do

[@Brian-rh7ws]

@@Geostelar4920 True, but she didn't produce the fruits that go along with the flowers, just the flowers up to that point.

[@Flow99]

@@Geostelar4920 👾 she still couldn’t grow grapes before 👾

[@hereiampercylover]

This is so funny cuz i can see Bruno going "uhhh your powers will grow! Like- like uhh the grapes that thrive on the vine?" And little Isabella going "whoa 😮"

[@vivtek]

Aside from wanting to be seen, Mirabel's power is also to see all her family members as they see themselves - something Abuela explicitly says she had forgotten to do, and which was the rift to start with.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Totally.

[@JadenYukifan28]

Well, Abuela Alma was focused on keeping everything perfect, hence why she lost sight on what was going on around her and not to mention the fact that the Casita was an extension of herself. So when she became angry, the Casita itself started to crack and Mirabel was the only one who saw it happen at first.

[@sweethistortea]

Enchanto was the first movie where I don’t like the grandmother character. She had no real reason to treat Mirabel and I’ve seen people excuse it with, “Oh she lost her husband!” While that sucks, it still isn’t a reason to treat her granddaughter like dirt.

[@pjkaiser27]

Something I'd noticed, since I haven't come across it in either the video or the many comments I've looked through: Abuela's name is Alma - literally "soul", but it can also refer to the figurative "heart" or lifeblood of something, and she's the matriarch, so it fits perfectly.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Ohhh...that's nice! Thanks for sharing this.

[@mygoat0604]

And Abuelo's name, Pedro, comes from "stone," implying "foundation." Yes, this is also a biblical reference.

[@dinojack5567]

An Alma is also a Northern Canadian Bigfoot-cryptid of sorts, but *we don't talk about that.*

[@elan825]

Alma also means 'nourishing (mother)', 'young woman', 'diligent', 'brave', and 'on/by the water'. Pedro sounds likes 'padre', which means 'father', and evokes the image of the church (as it is the title of a priest, and the candle symbolizes it also). They are mother and father of the family - they gave life and protected, gave light and hope to the community.

[@silversunset]

LMM is a literal genius. He can fit so many motifs, messages, themes, and ideas into his songs. I can wait to see what’s in store for this song

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yup, LMM did it again! Wait for it...

[@greggriffin8020]

He's overrated.

[@gallerycatstudios8018]

@@greggriffin8020 ok, Greg Heffly

[@funnylittlecreature]

Yeah, he’s good, but he’s not *that* good.

[@funnylittlecreature]

Like, yes, he does make good music, but it’s not fair to give him all the credit.

[@beybladekatie]

Something I find interesting is that We Don’t Talk About Bruno replaced the Disney villain song, and villain songs are usually “I am” songs which give a shallow surface level idea of a character so the audience doesn’t sympathize them. Most of the time the villain sings along (Gaston, Poor Unfortunate Souls, Shiny) but when used in Encantos context, gives the impression that the shallow perception is due to a lack of understanding from the narrators

[@saraalexander1875]

It's not unprecedented for a Disney villain song to not be sung by the villain -- there's Cruella DeVil. In a way, We Don't Talk About Bruno *is* a classic Disney villain song, even though there is no malicious character-- those who are carrying out the film's antagonistic actions are "We" and what they will do to cause conflict for the film's protagonist is to refuse to talk about their struggles/pain and also try to forbid Mirabel from doing so.

[@marcocalero]

I don’t know why I like it so much but I love when Camilo sings. He is just slightly older then Mirabel so she sings about what he remembers about Bruno from a little kid’s perspective. He was scared of Bruno.

[@Enaronia]

Camilo thinks Bruno is very tall. This is not correct. Why did he think that? ...because the last time he saw Bruno, he was shorter. He remembers Bruno being much taller than himself.

[@marcocalero]

@@Enaronia It sounds like you answered your own question.

[@kienchenk4223]

@@Enaronia Well, he *could* have found out Bruno wasn't that tall from the door, since the carvings are their owner's actual adult height. But for that he must've cared, which he apparently didn't since Bruno was already "distant" from the family as shown by Casita moving his door away from his sisters', around the corner, and adding a dark nook with stairs. You could say he was placed on an ominous pedestal. Plus: Camillio is a teenage boy, who loves to spook his cousin, and is very dramatic in general 🤣

[@philopharynx7910]

This is a song about how easy it is to be evil. They ostracized Bruno for ten years over things that were inconveniences. We see how much Bruno still loves the family. He was hurt by them, but they feel justified. This song devastates me.

[@AlmendraMiku]

Another fun fact: Mirabel is not as common in Colombia as Maribel, but they moved the letters a little to make it sound more like "Miracle".

[@Nolroa]

Maybe after the movie Encanto, the name of Mirabel will be common both in Colombia and in other Spanish-speaking countries.

[@Jorge-xf9gs]

@@Nolroa That's honestly so mindnumbingly dumb.

[@johannesziaether3916]

@@Jorge-xf9gs No it's not sometimes such things happen. But for a short period of time. And doesn't make THAT hugd effect

[@1koaks680]

@@Jorge-xf9gs pop culture definitely influences how people name their kids lmao.

[@Jorge-xf9gs]

@@1koaks680 Encanto is not pop culture lmao.

[@gilangsetyawibawa185]

If Encanto hits Broadway, Bruno will be the perfect closing number for Act 1!

[@kyratabeth]

fun fact: lin actually said in an interview that he thought of Bruno as the "Act 1 Closer" song that brings so much together! sort of like "blackout" from in the heights or "nonstop" from hamilton!

[@The_Copper_Element_Itself]

Eachobruno! Act 1!

[@HaydenofEverything]

It makes sense to analyze it this way. For the most part, "We Don't Talk About Bruno" is placed at roughly the half-way point of the movie, and so to analyze it as anything else is almost a flaw in concept.

[@gilangsetyawibawa185]

@@kyratabeth I can already imagine the choreography with the turntables onstage already!

[@kyratabeth]

@@gilangsetyawibawa185 YES

[@starsiadraws]

I'd love to see your analysis of "Waiting on a Miracle," not enough people talk about the fact that it's in 3/4 time to signal that Mirabel is literally out of sync with the rest of her family (also it adds to the Columbian spice)

[@gtd5626]

Yes, it's my favorite song from the movie but rarely anyone does a real deep analysis of it. "Except for the whole Mirabel accomplished all the things she said", yeah but there's more.

[@SammiEnka]

He touches on that in the Dos Orugitas analysis

[@K9TheFirst1]

The thing about the color green is that it has been a visual short hand for evil in Disney movies, all the way back to the green apple the Evil Queen poisons Snow White with. Which further sets up viewers with the expectation of Bruno being the bad guy. It's quite brilliant visual storytelling, using such a deeply rooted visual as a setup for a twist ending.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Good point!

[@marieg595]

The poison apple was red, but the green for villains makes sense.

[@TheLeonardoPontes]

Ok, you HAVE TO be featured at Disney+ so everyone can get access to your analysis and learn how beautiful they are (and you get properly commissioned for them)

[@farimehr4103]

100% agreed

[@HowardHoMusic]

OMG...Disney+, are you seeing this?

[@DougSousa]

YES!!

[@donutlover2893]

Not everyone has Disney plus so he should stay on KZbin because almost everyone has access to KZbin. It would be really cool to see him on Disney plus aswell

[@mayanandrobertschraders587]

@@donutlover2893 I agree! Please Howard, keep it free on KZbin for all to enjoy and learn from

[@Jetrowdy]

As a former choir kid, I’m so mad at myself that I didn’t pick up on the MADRIGAL connection when I sang them all the time for competition! Great video! I was waiting for an Encanto musical analysis!!

[@Jetrowdy]

ALSO: A story where change is inevitable and should be embraced; is this Frozen 2?😂😆

[@HowardHoMusic]

I know! I was getting flashbacks too.

[@ElizabethT45]

Right? I was in my high school's Madrigal Choir and still didn't get that!

[@RutabegaNG]

Oh crap, cannot believe I missed that. I have a vocal music degree!

[@hasanmuttaqin464]

@@Jetrowdy better version of it

[@PaintAMelody]

I also believe the reason why Isabella was able to fit her melody (which is sung in major) into the polyphonic minor section with the other family members was because she symbolizes the 'perfect' daughter.. but this also foreshadows the dissonance between her 'perfect' self and her 'true' self

[@reviewsfromasocialjusticel8558]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but “Madrigal” is also a home-of sorts. It means den or lair, like the kind an animal would build and live in. Also, I was reading in the naming of Bruno an allusion to the 15th-Century “heretic” priest Giordano Bruno, burned at the stake (silenced) by the Inquisition on May 1. He had put forth the theory that the stars were other suns and wrote extensively on esoteric topics, including magic.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Oh cool!

[@nekokna]

Maybe you are thinking about 'madriguera'?

[@Kruezoraxe]

I will note that the issue of stars and planets didn't contribute to his execution. It wasn't even mentioned in his trial. He was executed for unrelated heretical statements. Obviously why someone is executed misses the point that thought and ideas should never be crimes. But I wanted to clear that misconception up

[@Taigan_HSE]

One thing: you mentioned that Mirabelle doesn’t have any representation of Bruno on her clothes. What about her glasses? You mentioned earlier how they compliment Bruno’s green eyes. I figured that was the connection.

[@HowardHoMusic]

That's true. She's definitely connected to Bruno a lot through her "vision," which is what Bruno has.

[@sindel545]

@@HowardHoMusic And, she SEES Bruno not as a monster but for someone misunderstood. She's the only Madrigal with glasses and the only one who see's Bruno differently than the others.

[@StoryMing]

I thought I read somewhere that she does have an hourglass for Bruno??

[@thebratqueen]

Exactly. In addition to what's mentioned in the video Mirabel's glasses being green is significant because the movie establishes that Green = Bruno = the future. Symbolically they show how Mirabel is the one who can see the future for the family though that future, like her vision without glasses, may not be clear. It's one of the many amazing details they put into the movie.

[@5h3nn0ng]

Its also important to note that Bruno's sand motif also fits in the glasses, because glass is made from heated sand

[@mcpa2991]

Also as a side note Mirabel comes from latin for Wonderful. She is named after the thing she thinks she isnt, but proves she is

[@HowardHoMusic]

Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing that.

[@trystinew.469]

To quote one of Abuela's first lines, "You are a wonder, Mirabel Madrigal"

[@annmcteerdavis4722]

Oh, that's just the best! Thank you, Mc Pa!

[@kristoohy8868]

"Mirabel" was the word often used to refer to the literal miracles of the saints.

[@pokemonburner6134]

It also means “miracle”

[@rfresa]

I love this image of Mirabel as the conductor of the orchestra! When her door disappeared, the Casita was not rejecting her. It was saying that the whole house was her domain. I also think that each of the gifts was based on something the recipient needed (healing, emotional control, anxiety about the future, strength, beauty and perfection, knowledge of what people are saying, ability to take on different personas, understanding of animal needs), and Mirabel needed to hold the family together, to "make the family proud."

[@nailahdavis569]

Lin-Manuel Miranda is truly a genius in every sense of the word. Actually wild how talented this man is.

[@lucar9873]

I think her ability to connect with her family members *is* her superpower, literally. Her gift is being the family glue, she's the successor to abuela. She and abuela are the only ones who really talk to Casita, and they're the keepers of the magic. But the fantastic imagination worlds that Mirabel creates with her songs to allow herself and her family members to process their emotions is literally a part of her magical gift.

[@ultra_rider2704]

AGREED. Here is another great song kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2Olq4Foo9xkmbM

[@superwaffle9312]

@@ultra_rider2704 i hope it isnt what i think it is

[@superwaffle9312]

it wasnt a Rick roll atleast

[@Adamant_Adam]

I agree! I've seen someone put it this way- Abuela's power is building up walls, Mirabel's is breaking walls down. Both are important

[@julzgulz1992]

Mirabel is the casita… from the beginning she is the house. Her door was always the front door. The house always listens to her. She is the foundation and glue that holds the family together. The house falls when everyone is fighting and after grandma yells at her.

[@ToastyFresh1]

It’s actually mind blowing that you can musically engineer a song to sound as catchy as physically possible

[@ShroomKeppie]

If you ever study music seriously, the subject is called "Music Theory", and explains how chords are built, which ones are "correct" to use after another, how to build transitions -- it's like engineering in a way. Of course, one you learn all the rules you can break them.

[@lbentosoares4]

We need a sequel, with they singing "Let's talk about Bruno" with everyone now praising him or apologizing to him, and he being a part of the song. Also Mirabel having the hourglass on her dress ^^

[@HinataElyonToph]

Yes! And with Julieta and Luisa actually having singing parts and just everyone vibing to the beat!

[@MrMarinus18]

One thing I also really like is how they make the family be hostile to her but still appear as good people. I never got the sense they were bad or that they didn't love her. They just have their own opinions and rules.

[@halliecrawford8445]

I’m so excited for the Dos Orugitas analysis! Howard Ho does such a good job seeing all the sides of very complex music and art. I really liked the way you talked about the chords and the story they tell. It’s really interesting how disney animated musicals have defined the cultural movement of the way musicals are structured, and then goes and changes it.

[@jullylee689]

Me too me too!! 🐛🐛

[@chocoloco1211]

Dos Orugitas is probably my favorite song in the entire movie. It also helps that my fiancé immediately recognized Sebastian Yatra’s voice, who also sings what me and my fiancé consider our song.

[@mikaylaeager7942]

@@chocoloco1211 I love that so much! What a remarkable moment for you two!

[@Ram875]

Oruguitas* ^^

[@marietheotaku94]

Lin is a genius for writing this and you are a genius for being able to get it, understand it, and break it down for people who don't know about music.

[@Adronitis]

Yes thankuuu for getting the music origin right! I knew right away that it was a Cuban son, but all these youtubers were like "Ahhh, yess. A latin vibe. A merengue"😬

[@samaelyt]

I get what you mean by the "She is the conductor" Except for her want song "Waiting for a Miracle", she was "conducting" the others to sings. Literally, she has one main song. Even the song "La Familia Madrigal", she was talking about the members of the orchestra. Unloading Luisa's burden through "Surface Pressure" and rekindling sisterly love through "What Else Can I Do?". She is literally enabling her sisters to Sing."

[@jackmiller1405]

I have practically no understanding of the structure of music, but this video was great. *Now* I have an even greater appreciation for the movie and for Lin-Manuel Miranda. Good work!

[@adaraif9972]

On the ending topic of dos orugitas, I just wanted to say I love how in the first song of the movie abuela sings the tune of dos orugitas instead, indicating how she is acting based on her past traumas instead of the present, this movie is so rewatchable because of those little things like that!

[@VictoriaRodriguez-vw9ym]

I noticed that too happy someone else noticed I love small details they put bc it makes the movie more interesting and memorable

[@thespeedyyoshi]

OH MY GOSH you’re RIGHT!!

[@aleksandram.]

Or...they reused already created tunes to save some money. I'm joking😉

[@lyzzlyzzy1023]

Oh my GOD 😭😭😭

[@Nathandelange]

It’s one of the only songs on a movie that can transfer that raw energy from a live musical onto a stage

[@ultra_rider2704]

Here is a better song kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2Olq4Foo9xkmbM

[@ouinoelle]

Yes!

[@DanielRucci]

This song is amazing. It’s no wonder it is #2 on the Bilboard charts right now. One of my favorite parts is the hilarious living but fighting Latin-couple interplay between Pepa and Felix… P: It was MY wedding day F: It was OUR wedding day (repeats her, corrects her) P: We were getting ready, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky F: No clouds allowed in the sky! (fiercely defends her) P: Bruno walks in with a mischievous grin- F: Thunder!! (Interrupts her again) P: You telling this story, or am I? F: I'm sorry, mi vida, go on (lovingly apologizes but can’t help himself and keeps stepping on her for the rest of the song, LOL) P: Bruno says, "It looks like rain" F: Why did he tell us? (Like, ‘motherFR ruined our day!!’) P: In doing so, he floods my brain F: Abuela, get the umbrellas (literally the best rhyme of LMM’s songwriting career) P: Married in a hurricane F: What a joyous day... but anyway (I love the notation of this line against the baseline transition in to A-flat) Both: We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no!

[@aff77141]

With Mirabel's glasses matching Bruno's color scheme and their connections and such--it's also bruno and finding out about him/meeting him is what helps her achieve her goals and see what's really happening in the family

[@HinataElyonToph]

And in a way, unlocking her own Gift!

[@mickschilder3633]

Also, g major aka the 5th, is seen as an unstable chord. Coupling this with bruno implies that the relation of the family with bruno is a source of instability.

[@HowardHoMusic]

You're definitely onto something. Yes, I will get into this more in a future video.

[@mikanchan322]

That's the kind of analysis I was wanting to see more of!

[@pjkaiser27]

Yeah, pretty much! Gmaj isn't inherently unstable, but the 7th of G7 is, because it (the F) wants to resolve down to either E or E-flat depending on the key signature or upcoming modulation.

[@suburito5370]

"We don't talk about Bruno no no no" was perfectly translated into Polish where it is "Nie mówimy o Brunie nie nie nie" YES perfectly cuz "We don't talk" is THE SAME as "Nie mówimy" and "about" is this little "o", but the best part is that "Bruno" varies from case to case and one used in the song "O kim?" "o Brunie" ("about who?", "about Bruno") have this "nie" in the end that means "no". And before you go to google translate and check that "mówimy" means "we say" just remember that some words can be used difrently depending on context

[@SistersTape]

That is really interesting! So you're saying he is still called Bruno but because "about" needs a different grammatical case it then changes to Brunie? I love it :D

[@finezyjnafantazja2495]

@@SistersTape Yeah it is cool as using 7 cases reduce a lot of ambiguity. Let's take vocative as an example. We use it to mark that we talk to smb not about smb.

[@adagalant5413]

I watched Encanto two days ago and was amased when I heard the song in Polish. The name fits perfectly! While „Let it go” needed a totally different translation to: „I have this power”, in Encanto we could have the exact same words! Wow!

[@amadeosendiulo2137]

I love that about our Polish version! We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no - Nie mówimy o Brunie, nie, nie, nie!

[@OhayoMacchiato]

I recently watched "Encanto" and started studying music theory, so this video blew my mind. Just wow. "We Don't Talk About Bruno" is a brilliant piece of music!

[@charlottesmile4981]

this video literally proves how genius of a musician LMM is. Couldn't imavine how he incorporated these much of big and small details to these masterpieces.

[@crumb.crumblet.S.crumbington]

i know nothing abot music but this was still so lovely to watch! great video! i love we dont talk about bruno!

[@pioneer_ten]

hiya cup! how are you?

[@ranbo0]

i agree!!! we don't talk about bruno is amazing :D

[@05noodles05]

Heya crumb!

[@shakeriddleandroll939]

Hey crumb

[@hschwarzwalder]

Crumb doesn't talk about Bruno video?? Love your work :)

[@alejandrotuazon4831]

I heavily felt that this song was the most lin-like and most stage musical out of the entire movie for the overlapping voices. Also my head-cannon has Mirabel's gift is to have other people open up via song. There are no songs in the movie unless Mirabel is present.

[@d_dave7200]

It's very Lin, but I might give that honor to "The Family Madrigal". It had Lin all over it for me. Some of the turns of phrase, lyric rhythms, and melodic shapes are SO very /him/. Could have been straight out of Hamilton in some cases.

[@TheAdvertisement]

The way this song builds up to everyone's parts mixing together at the end is genius. I see this madrigal that combines the melodies as representing Mirabel's thoughts. After all the stories she's been told about Burno, they're all mixed into her mind, her trying to make sense of them while she works to piece together the memory.

[@DrShotput]

I think the main thing is that just re-listening to this song after finishing the movie the first time, the amount that just clicks and fits perfectly is astounding. Lin Manuel Miranda has done it again

[@KyleRayner12]

It's also notable that Bruno's name being sung in a major key prefigures the reveal that he was never the problem. For all that their descriptions of him are creepy and appropriately in a minor key, his name itself isn't.

[@donuthog]

I have no idea how you were able to analyse this much about the song. All of your videos are truly amazing

[@ultra_rider2704]

Maybe you could get some song analysation tips in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2Olq4Foo9xkmbM

[@donuthog]

@@ultra_rider2704 no.

[@shabyheltay]

Right! This is the first of his videos I've watched and I subbed immediately. Brilliant.

[@skyejp4975]

This was an amazing break down! I felt like there was something special about that song but didn’t have the musical theory to understand why. New subscriber earned and looking forward to next vid

[@HowardHoMusic]

I really appreciate the sub. Thanks!

[@watercat1302]

Musicians all over the world are having a field day with this song…

[@amayajones68]

To piggyback on your note about Mirabel keeping time, in “The Family Madrigal” she’s the one who wakes up the family. She’s gets their day started.

[@dw1419]

5:00 "Mirar" in Spanish is "to look", like "look at me" or "look over there" - which makes sense since Mirabel wants to be seen and not overlooked. Unlike in English, though, you can't use the same verb with the meaning "to look for/search for something" That would be "buscar."

[@reneep4269]

Both of those examples, "Look at me!" and "Look over there!" would conjugate mirar as mira since it's a command. I took it to mean Mirabel is telling the family to look.

[@dw1419]

@@reneep4269 Yes, I decided to go with the infinitives over the positive tú command forms for simplicity haha. It's even better when you realize that Mirabel comes from Latin - "Marabilis" = "wondrous" which is where we get Maravilloso in Spanish and Marvelous in English.

[@Tvirus12]

True, but Mirabel is the one who sees her family past their gifts and as real people. Probably why she doesn't get along with senorita perfecta, because when people are that perfect, they're faking it.

[@Semudara]

"Buscar" sounds a bit like "Oscar"..... hmmmmm. ;>

[@The_Copper_Element_Itself]

Mirar in my language means aim.

[@lauratanner6493]

I’ve had so many fan theories about what Mirabelles power is an about how I think she’s basically supposed to replace Abuela is the candleholder and you’re literally proving it in this video. Thank you.

[@thomaswillers3951]

I know little about musical theory and techniques, but watching this makes me realise the depth Miranda puts in, even more brilliant than I thought.

[@JustMeJH]

When I watched it, I thought, "Mirabel is the house" and sure enough, you showed me how that beautiful ear worm lays the movie out for us. Great video!

[@ultra_rider2704]

Agreed. ,away even you will like this song kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2Olq4Foo9xkmbM

[@stellastarfield1111]

I thought that too! When she first saw the cracks I thought it was because she was losing herself.

[@jennac7115]

Everything Lin does is so layered! A true visionary

[@brenwilliams03]

music itself and the brains behind it are actually amazing

[@pokemonburner6134]

Great analysis! Btw Mirabel comes from a Latin root that means “wonder” or “miracle”, so literally, she is the miracle that saves the magical family.

[@avengirl6479]

Everything Lin puts in this song is so EPIC!

[@ultra_rider2704]

This song is better kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2Olq4Foo9xkmbM

[@katherinescott7939]

No joke, this morning when We Don't Talk About Bruno was running through my head as I woke up one of my first thoughts was "I really hope Howard Ho does a video on that song soon." Great work, Howard, I love your videos! I have learned more music theory from you than I did from many years of piano lessons.

[@ultra_rider2704]

I think this is verry relevant to your comment kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2Olq4Foo9xkmbM

[@MonaeJohnson]

Before the hype I fell asleep and woke up to this song in my head and found the whole world agreed that it was a catchy song.

[@elhector83]

I know this movie is overanalyzed, but I will never get tired of watching this kind of videos.

[@cashcarolinarecords]

As a music producer we don’t always think about music theory because of samples and things A lot of times we just go off feeling in the sound but this video made me realize how deep and important the subject is 🎹❤️

[@memeyo42]

"Dos Oruguitas" is like the opening in pixar's movie Up. In such a small amount of time, showing love that begins and ends and how precious it was, makes it impossible to not feel sad and emotional and even cry, cuz its so beautiful and yet so sad. In Up, you see Carl and Ellie meet, you see them growing up together and sharing the same dream and passion. They dream of kids but cant have any, they dream of the niagra falls but never gets there, and in the end Time takes its first victim of the two Ellie which is very sad for Carl who lost his love. But in the movie later, he learns that his life with Ellie wasnt a waste cuz they had eachothers. In Encanto it is the same. Alma meets the love of her life and you see them fall in love, you see them holding a candle which they have in common and both wanted to get a better view. They share a new life together and gets married before they have 3 kids. Their dream was to live together and raise their kids together, but unfortunatly, time took one of em too by chasing em away from their home, and Pedro sacrificing his life for the family he loved. He thought they would listen to reason but they did not and he died just like Ellie. Alma was devistated and never recovered from it until the end where she realized that even tho she lost the love of her life, she was still blessed with a life of love and miracle through her family who had survived 50years thanks to Pedro's sacrifice and their magical gift from it. It's touph loosing someone you love, but remember, you will always have people around you who loves you just as much, and who will give you just as much memories like the one you lost. And that's what both Carl and Alma learns in the end. That nothing ever goes the way you plan, and that loosing someone is very hard, but you will still live with great memories and great people who are infact still alive. Thank you for taking your time in reading this🤗💕

[@therealannakonda]

11:13 this literally made my jaw drop. Either you or LMM are a genius. Probably both.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yup, I'm definitely talking about that in the next video!

[@redoxxed4921]

Might be something so trivial but the audio editing in this video is so crisp. The echoing cut thing after every snippet is so satisfying.

[@dannynerdnik3091]

You have thoroughly earned my sub. Through historical, musical, anthropological, and cultural context, you have completely broken down the X’s and O’s of modern pop theatre. Fucking BRAVO, my man. 🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🫠🫠🫠🫠💃💃

[@SkatKat]

Starting to think music theory is like magic.

[@leaarinwarkentine]

One term I wish you'd mentioned was "madrigalisms," which is the word used for text painting in madrigals. Basically making the music sound like what it means. Miranda does this perfectly, through the rhythmic and melodic elements you broke down so wonderfully in the video.

[@mattfoulgerBC]

Thanks for this. It’s incredible how well the music theory, symbolism, language all come together.

[@evilparadigm]

Whoever argues that Disney can't be dark, needs to explain away the fact that it is heavily implied that the Grandmother watches her husband butchered by machetes. It's almost more dramatic only showing her anguished silent cries than showing the violence. It gives me shavers like the first time seeing "Hotel Rwanda." Edit: I'm perfectly aware that Disney itself is very controversial especially with the live acti9on Mulan and the human rights violations Disney ignored by filming in China.

[@Nolroa]

Disney can't be dark? It has been a tradition that in Disney movies there is the influence of death. From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs death has always been represented. In his best-known animated films, one or two main characters or antagonists have always died off-camera while we see the reaction of the other characters next to them.

[@evilparadigm]

@@Nolroa I'm not saying Disney can't be dark. I think they have been trending less dark for a long time. Disney conveniently decides to be less dark when they want to appeal to pc culture, despite the older films.

[@julianatruite5206]

I've seen many videos analysing this song but this is by far the most interesting one. It isn't surprising to know LMM was careful creating the music for this movie but seeing how deep he went bringing important story beats into the song is astounding! Excellent video!

[@monoverantus]

Amazing and insightful analysis. A fun detail I've noticed as Isabela and Pepa set the table: they start singing their different melodies on opposite sides of the table, but they join in dance just as their melodies merge ("some day be mine/cloud in the sky")

[@HowardHoMusic]

So cool!

[@monoverantus]

@@HowardHoMusic btw I recently saw Hamilton for the first time last week and have been binging your videos about it. Your style of analysis is remarkably succinct and effective

[@TimothyCHenderson]

So excited to see that people are discovering the magic and expressive possibilities of polyphony in music drama. It's a staple in Opera, would love to see more of it in musicals. Cheers to ensemble and finale numbers!

[@TheDoremi40]

I had no idea there was so much that went into this song, amazing!

[@abbieb8130]

Especially that Mirabel's gift was the same as Abuela's, which is connection to the casita and holding the family together.

[@gpaderx6105]

I can't put it in words how great this is. Lin is just being a phenomenon as always.. Well, we all know We don't talk about Bruno was the best movie sequence in 'maybe' all of Disney animations, but it's not my personal song favorite because of some lyrics: "Um, Bruno. Yeah, that Bruno. I really need to know about Bruno. Gimme me truth and a whole truth about Bruno." I don't like this part a lot. I believe the best song was Dos Orugitas, and that's why it was the song that Disney passed for Oscars' consideration. BUT after watching this video, give me a deep, huge appreciation to this song that I didn't have before, especially how all different elements turns into one beautiful harmony, THE DETAILS, THE DETAILS! My god. I can't insert all of the this information of every overlooked details in my brain rn. It was pure amazing. Like I said, Dos Orugitas was the best song for me, and actually may personal favorite. The fact that they chose the Spanish version instead of putting the English version in the movie, unlike on other movies where they just put the native language version in the credits then use the English version in the movie. I love this so much but i didn't know the particular reason why it was so great, and I'm glad you'll be posting the Dos Orugitas video, I can't wait to unleash another overlooked details like "'Butterfly' is the type of song they used here" kinda detail HAHAHAHA jk. #LinNeverDisappoints #HowardNeverDisappoints too

[@HowardHoMusic]

I've always thought people can understand these ideas if you can see them in action!

[@doctorwho5012]

wow!! great video!! i really liked seeing how everyone's individual melodies matched their character! also mirabel being the conductor is such an interesting idea, her name, glasses, and the color green all make so much sense for her character!

[@thebookworm5048]

I was able to understand from a cover of this song, before ever watching the movie, that Bruno almost certainly wasn't a villain and that people were wrongly blaming him. Purely for being able to convey that message while on the surface only describing a villain forced me to go ahead and buy the movie when I normally wait until I can watch it for free

[@trevorprof]

Chubby 🥺😜🥺 I think fuzzy getting JJ Fogg Hilton oohhh booboo hunny boo ninth I been I'll let

[@kentslocum]

More than any other video discussing Encanto, this one does the best job of helping me understand it. Bravo!

[@ratachu4202]

I'm shocked. When you're like me and you don't know anything about musicology, it's incredible to see how many things can be hidden in one song. This song basically tells the entire story of the movie. I am beyond gagged by the fact that I was able to understand what you were talking about the entire video even though I don't know a thing about music. It's my first time on your channel, and I really want to say you did an amazing job on this video. I definitely can't wait for Dos Orugitas analysis and I'm definitely gonna check your other videos.

[@greenamogus]

i love your pfp

[@ratachu4202]

@@greenamogus I love it too I use it everywhere, I love your username

[@oscargill423]

I love it when the villain is a concept. It makes for a far more nuanced premise, and thus a more substantial piece of narrative media. That being said, LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA IS EVEN MORE GENIUS THAN I THOUGHT HOLY WOW

[@plusran]

that was the best video i've watched in ages. oh my god thank you for this. and thank you for cutting in that one scene from Amadeus where he describes "everyone singing at once" because it was all i could think about when this song played in the movie.

[@CandiePi2]

Talk about in-depth analysis! This taught me some things about music. Thanks for the lesson and the cool new thoughts about this awesome movie.

[@ryanstewart6046]

The depth of symbolism, tonality, music theory, and just pure art in this song is astounding. Thank you for pointing it all out.

[@marilucs]

I knew many details you've pointed out but holly shoot theres even more layers that I had no ideia. Amazing analysis!

[@ultra_rider2704]

Here is better analysis kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2Olq4Foo9xkmbM

[@5Puff]

How did they manage to fit so much detail into a movie, it's insane

[@cosmick3224]

This was an awesome break down. I love how all these little details go into making a story truly magical

[@laurenmick]

The fact that you can articulate this is phenomenal!

[@DzzO]

Wow, Mirabel really does keeps track of the time for the family. She even wakes everybody up during the first song

[@ellaplayscello6332]

I listened to it a few times when it came about and spotted a few little LMM tricks but holy FUCK, this man is a genius. Sondheim of the 21st Century!

[@thatbigflacotaco2657]

There's actually an hour glass symbol somewhere on Mira's dress representing Bruno

[@HowardHoMusic]

Really?!

[@thatbigflacotaco2657]

@@HowardHoMusic I can't tell if you ask that in irony or genuine shock.

[@mohitthakur6920]

Been bringing everything LMM, tick tick boom, encanto, Vivo and Hamilton! Plan on watching 'in the heights' this weekend. Thanks for this video, I feel like a foolish person when it comes to music theory but it makes the story even beautiful once one knows it. I'm motivated to start learning this by the end of the year.

[@wuttatota148]

This is exactly me! After watching Encanto, Moana, Hamilton, and Mary Poppins Returns just this month, i made it my mission to watch everything LMM. Haven't watched In The Heights, Tick tick Boom, or Vivo yet. Those are my next targets

[@mohitthakur6920]

@@wuttatota148 watch Tick tick boom first! It made me fall in love with musical theater, was hungry for JL after that saw rent multiple times.

[@odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347]

If you see the candle, it’s has a butterfly on it! Mirabel’s Blouse has butterflies sewn into it, she’s literally the candle. The Miracle Edit: Had to edit cuz I am stupid XD

[@HowardHoMusic]

Nicely said.

[@katejane573]

Also because butterflies can’t see their own wings but mirabel can see her families wings (abilities) and push them to love themselves :)

[@Etuffly]

Mirabel has the candle on her skirt. The frame zooms in on it more than once, but especially at the end before she touches her doorknob. She did save the candle. She is the candle.

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

I love how at a few points the song feels like a conversation: Pepa and Félix's argument (with "You're telling this story or am I?!" and "I'm sorry, mí vida, go on"), Abuela's "Oye, Mariano's on his way", Isabela's "Hey sis, I want not a sound out of you", Camillo's "Isabela, your boyfriend's here!" and "Time for dinner!". It really just adds more to them really being a family who's just having a typical everyday conversation.

[@wesleycolvin7158]

Mirabel's gift was empathy and compassion.