Composer Lin-Manuel Miranda saw another milestone this past week. His song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” from the animated musical Encanto, peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, marking his first Top 10 appearance and only Disney’s fifth in the Top Five. The strength of the song’s popularity also sent the soundtrack to the top of Billboard’s album chart. The last Disney soundtrack single to reach this far on the pop chart was “Let It Go” from Frozen (#5 in 2014). Disney’s three other songs to break the mark were “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas (#4 in 1995), “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King (#4 in 1994), and “A Whole New World” from Aladdin (#1 in 1993), the lone chart-topper. Miranda’s last chart appearance on the Hot 100 was “Almost Like Praying,” a charity single with Artists for Puerto Rico that reached #20 in 2017.
Unfortunately, the studio didn’t submit “Bruno” for Oscar consideration, choosing “Dos Oruguitas” instead, but the song has become not only Disney’s highest-charting tune in more than 25 years but also its highest charting song of the 21st century. You can listen to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” below.