The "Son Jarocho" Showstopper
"Un Poco Loco" is the energetic centerpiece of Disney's Coco. Sung by the characters Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) and Héctor (Gael García Bernal), the song draws heavily from Mexican folk music, specifically the Son Jarocho style from Veracruz. It’s fast, rhythmic, and incredibly fun—but deceptively tricky to sing perfectly.
The track features rapid-fire lyrics, comedic call-and-response dynamics, and a high-energy belt. Whether you are singing Miguel's boy soprano melody or Héctor's character-driven harmony, precision is key. Let's break down the technique.
AI Coach Tip: The "Grito"
The famous Mexican yell (the "Grito") heard in the song isn't just screaming. It requires controlled head voice or falsetto. Place the sound high in your nasal cavity (the "mask") rather than pushing from your throat to avoid strain.
Phase 1: The Patter (Héctor's Verse)
The song opens with Héctor asking questions ("What color is the sky?"). This section is almost spoken rather than sung. The challenge here is rhythm. You must be locked in with the guitar strums.
The Trap: Slurring words. Because the tempo is fast, singers often mush the lyrics together. Practice speaking the lyrics slowly: "Ay, mi amor, ay, mi amor" before speeding up to the track's tempo.
Phase 2: The Chorus (Miguel's Melody)
When Miguel enters ("You make me un poco loco"), the energy lifts. Anthony Gonzalez sings this with a bright, forward tone typical of a young tenor or boy soprano. The melody jumps around the scale quickly.
- Breath Control: The phrases are long and fast. Take quick "sip" breaths between lines like "The way you keep me guessing" and "I'm nodding and I'm yessing."
- Diction: Consonants need to be crisp to cut through the heavy percussion and guitar strumming.
Phase 3: The Finale Belt & Harmony
The final section is pure celebration. Miguel hits sustained high notes while Héctor provides harmony underneath. The final "Loco!" requires a solid belt up to a G5 (for higher voices) or a mixed belt for tenors.
To hit the high notes with the same joy as the movie, smile while you sing. This naturally lifts the soft palate and brightens the tone, making the high notes easier to reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is moderately difficult. The notes themselves aren't extremely high until the end, but the speed (tempo) and the Spanglish diction require a lot of practice.
The highest belted note is around a G5 (in the final shout/belt), though the main melody sits comfortably in the Tenor/Alto range.
Yes! The Spanish phrases ("Ay mi amor," "Un poco loco") are repetitive and easy to learn phonetically using the Singing Coach AI app.
