One of my favorite songs on the soundtrack, you see just how connected and close this small village is to the Madrigals when this song plays as the youngest, Antonio, is about to receive his powers. For my non-Spanish readers, these lyrics simply share how much they love their country and its charm. Something anybody whose proud of where they came from can relate to. We get to hear Mirabel’s pain and envy as a Madrigal with no power, who sees her family doing incredible things and feeling unable to contribute. Something anybody with siblings can relate to when they have family members achieving great things but don’t feel like they’re doing the same. It sets her on the adventure she later goes on to find her purpose. Love this change in lyrics for the chorus, where she’s stating the things she would do if she was gifted while almost pleading for someone to help her find her powers. Here we get to hear Luisa question if another powered hero, Hercules, who starred in his own Disney animated movie, ever felt the same sort of pressure and doubts that she is facing. I love Luisa’s confidence as the song starts, trying to dissuade her sister that anything is wrong or that she’s nervous, although becoming more emotionally vulnerable to Mirabel as the song goes on. Another song where Mirabel’s older sister, in this case, Isabela, starts revealing that she too has been dealing with the burden of her powers. It’s good to hear just how free Isabela finally feels knowing not everything she creates has to be perfect, which has been her identity for so long. Nothing like some sibling bonding to get you where the heartstrings are, and Mirabel praising her older sister makes for a great moment. Lin-Manuel mentioned to Variety that “That song is my love letter and apology to my sister for having it easier. I watched my sister deal with the pressure of being the oldest and carrying burdens I never had to carry.” With that context, along with the story of Luisa, you see just how powerful these lyrics are when touching on the subject of the older sibling who has to be the strongest while still facing their own insecurities. I think most fans love Dolores’s part in the song, not just for the melody and cadence in which Adassa is performing it but also for the subject matter as we find out more about why Bruno was such an outcast. Nothing brings me back more than eating a home-cooked meal from my mom, especially her sancocho, and immediately feeling happy. If there were bad days growing up, this meal would make everything right and Julieta’s power is more realistic to a certain degree, considering how many swear their mom’s food does wonders. There’s always a little bit of gossip or “bochinche” in families and this song captured the essence of how families can swear they won’t speak on a subject and then immediately start spilling the tea. The realization from Abuela Alma of her over-protecting nature, and seeing just how the family’s power can also be a burden for them, melted my heart. Ola Merediz’s voice just soothes like an abuela would during a difficult time. I love the dynamic they threw in between Pepa and Felix during this part of the song. I’ve seen this countless times when couples try to tell a story but one keeps interjecting. Felix genuinely is just as invested in telling the story but then charmingly apologizes when he realizes he might be getting carried away. Not many Spanish-to-English translations can capture the essence of the original song, but I thought they did an incredible job. The story in Encanto is tragic as we see Alma lose her husband at this point of the song, but with tragedy came a miracle that changed Alma’s life forever. These lyrics from the chorus just get me every time. Beautifully written and performed.
