
Oh, Encanto!
There’s probably no better name for Disney’s 60th feature-length animated film than Encanto, and not just because the film tells the story of an encanto, which can be translated as “a place of enchantment.”
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The word “encanto” can also mean “charm,” and if there’s one thing the film has done to millions of fans, it has charmed them–with its story, its characters, and of course, its fabulous music, much of which was written by the incomparable Lin Manuel Miranda.
One of the most popular songs from the soundtrack of Disney’s Encanto is “Surface Pressure,” performed in the film by actress Jessica Darrow, who voices the character of Luisa Madrigal, Mirabel’s older sister.
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“Surface Pressure” doubles as Luisa’s ballad and her battle cry, but it’s also a confessional of sorts for the middle child whose magical gift is superhuman strength. It’s clear from the lyrics of the song that Luisa not only feels the enormity of her strength as she moves mountains and churches, but she also feels the pressure to maintain not only her physical strength but her emotional strength as well.
In a tweet from the United Kingdom-based group Punk Rock Factory (@punkrockfactory), Jessica Darrow (@itmejessdarrow), the Encanto actress, sings along with the band’s punk rock version of “Surface Pressure,” and it’s amazing!
https://twitter.com/punkrockfactory/status/1485999940199403523
The mashup is a different take on Lin Manuel Miranda’s original song, but we’re thinking we like that difference!
Just last week, “Surface Pressure” finally broke into the top 10 from Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, making it the first Disney film to ever have multiple songs land in the Top 10 on the chart.
The song continues to gain popularity as many fans say they can identify with the lyrics from the song, which verbalize Luisa’s stress, as well as her fears of failing her family and ultimately not being enough. You can read the lyrics to the first and second verses here:
I feel berserk as a tightrope walker in a three-ring circus
Under the surface
Was Hercules ever like “Yo, I don’t wanna fight Cerberus”?
Under the surface
I’m pretty sure I’m worthless if I can’t be of service
The straw in the stack
That breaks the camel’s back”
I hide my nerves, and it worsens, I worry something is gonna hurt us
Under the surface
The ship doesn’t swerve as it heard how big the iceberg is
Under the surface
I think about my purpose, can I somehow preserve this?
A light wind blows
You try to stop it tumbling
But on and on it goes”