in praise of High School Musical
With the launch of Disney+ a television show based on the High School Musical movie franchise has been released. There are too many colons in the title of the show so I refuse to present it to you without your consent.
To preserve the legacy of the Original High School Musicals, Taylor Silver and I have assembled a list ranking each track on the three High School Musical soundtracks. I know more than one person needs to know about High School Musical. Taylor knows more than one person needs to know about musicals in general. Hopefully her level-headed opinions offset the unmitigated passion I have for the franchise.
To varying degrees, each of the movies is about the clash of what your peers expect of you and what you want for yourself. In case you have little familiarity with the series, we’ve included a description of each number before the appraisals which are listed in order of soundtrack appearance. Following the ranking, we justify our choices and present a back and forth in the case that we wildly disagree on a ranking.
“Start of Something New”
As much as middle school Rachel Davies hated to admit it, High School Musical is a play off of Grease. Instead of returning from summer break at the beginning of the movie, the unlikely lovers are returning from winter break. The first musical moment of the franchise takes place when Troy and Gabriella, our leads, are at a ski resort with their families for the holidays and are individually sent to the youth New Year’s party. These two strangers begrudgingly agree to do karaoke together when bullied into it by the party’s host. Thankfully they’re both rather good at singing.
Taylor’s Ranking: #23 • Rachel’s Ranking: #25
We both respect the song as an opening number, but in the greater scheme it’s pretty bland. Ultimately, what’s more memorable than the song itself is when the pair swap phone numbers and take corresponding contact photos on their flip phones before dashing off. The most charming part of this number is how excited everyone around at the resort youth club seems to be that they are both exceedingly talented and humble.
“Get’cha Head in the Game”
By now we’re back in Alberquerque at East High and we’ve found out that the little nerd who Troy sung with on New Year’s Eve at the ski resort has just moved to Alberquerque and will be attending East High. Troy is the school basketball team’s playmaker/number one hottie so he’s already stressed that the young woman who knows about his hidden talent is at East High. How will his classmates be able to handle the fact that he takes pleasure athletics and the arts?!
Taylor’s Ranking: #10 • Rachel’s Ranking: #2
The key moment of the song is when the lights dim and Troy is under a spotlight crooning, “Why am I feeling so wrong? My head’s in the game but my heart’s in the song.” The song encapsulates the whole meaning of the movie, both lyrically, and in Troy’s inability to give up song and dance even when he’s literally on the basketball court.
“What I’ve Been Looking For” (Sharpay and Ryan version)
Sharpay and Ryan Evans are the Donny and Marie of East High and they’d like to keep it that way. This is their audition for the school musical, which they assume is just a technicality as up to this point only untalented burnouts have competed with them at auditions.
Taylor’s Ranking: #5 • Rachel’s Ranking: #26
Rachel: This ranked pretty low for me because I think that the major strength of Sharpay and Ryan’s numbers together is how maximalist they are—Ryan playing piano in the pool in “Fabulous,” the tinsel on the ladder in “Bop to the Top,” and literally everything about “I Want It All.”
Taylor: That’s fair, but I’d argue that that’s the strength of it. It’s so bare bones, but it’s still very extra. There’s no scenery, or elaborate costumes, but you get the essence of who they are together. It works as an introduction.
Rachel: Yeah, and the fact that Ryan is wearing a lime green formal cap (please inform me if you know the historically correct name of this hat) and Sharpay has a cropped sequin sweater (also need the technical term for this) helps convey a lot.
“What I’ve Been Looking For” (Troy and Gabriella)
Troy and Gabriella each tip-toe their way to auditions, but fail to step up together in time to audition before Ms. Darbus, the school drama teacher, leaves. They perform a pared down version of the song with Kelsey, the nerdy piano player who composes all of the songs for the school musicals.
Taylor’s Ranking: #2 • Rachel’s Ranking: #9
Peak timid Troy and Gabriella!!!! They can’t help but steal glances at one another. This is also where Kelsey learns she doesn’t have to micromanage them—they’re naturals!
“Stick to the Status Quo”
Ms. Darbus’s callbacks announcement has been posted and T+G are listed. Chaos ensues! Everyone at the school bursts into song to make the importance of sticking to the status quo clear, but the interspersed verses make it clear that everyone is itching to do just the opposite.
Taylor’s Ranking: #4 • Rachel’s Ranking: #4
This is another track that perfectly sums up the central tension of the series!!! “Get’cha” is very specifically Troy’s meathead point of view, but this gives us access into how everyone is feeling burdened by the social strata that they’ve been thrust into—a collective anxiety, if you will. Part of what makes this song so fun is its opening with Sharpay looking down one everyone dressed like she’d be married to a gay republican senator. Later in the scene we make our way back to Sharpay, and of course, Ryan is pacing around behind her wearing another one of his caps. This cap features embroidered Union Jack, though.
When There Was Me And You
In each of the movies, Gabriella has a ballad that gives us a glimpse at her grim outlook. In this bore of a number, she strolls around the school moaning about her realization that her and Troy could never be together because she is a nerd and he is a jock.
Taylor’s Ranking: #32 • Rachel’s Ranking: #29
We both find almost nothing redeemable about the Gabriella ballads. She has too much inner turmoil about fucking a hot jock who l*ves her!!!!!
Bop to the Top
Quite a bit happens between this track and the preceding, resulting in everyone at the school realizing that people do in fact contain multitudes. Despite the fact that callbacks are on the same day as the Big Basketball Game and Gabriella’s Scholastic Decathalon, T+G are going to do their best to make it in time to perform. Meanwhile, Sharpay and Ryan are hoping for just the opposite. At callbacks, they perform “Bop to the Top,” a song about their zest for success.
Taylor’s Ranking: #18 • Rachel’s Ranking: #20
We’d like to know what percentage of the school’s theatre department is directly financed by Sharpay and Ryan’s parents.
“Breaking Free”
They made it to perform at callbacks! “Breaking Free” is a very literal expression of the decision they’ve made against allowing others to pigeonhole them.
Taylor’s Ranking: #9 • Rachel’s Ranking: #15
This song is really enhanced by its placement in the movie itself—it’s an immense relief after waiting to find out if they’ll make it in time from their respective engagements. It’s also enhanced by the fact that Kelsey is dressed like a ventriloquist’s dummy.
“We’re All in this Together”
Wow, everyone is different and that’s what makes being alive a joy! Everyone celebrates in the gym by doing a choreographed dance.
Taylor’s Ranking: #17 • Rachel’s Ranking: #23
Rachel: The message of this song is kind of null and void by the time the second movie is released and everyone’s turned against each other again. Ultimately it’s worth sitting through because we get to see Sharpay excited about Zeke’s cookies. “I can make you crème brulee!”
Taylor: I think they also needed a song that everyone could participate in. A big part of what made High School Musical popular was that everyone wanted to learn the choreography. I remember watching tutorials on YouTube to learn the dance.
Rachel: I think that’s why to this day I have some resentment for it. I never wanted to participate or learn the dance. Leave my body out of this!!!!
“What Time Is It”
We’re back at East High just in time to watch the gang celebrate the beginning of the summer break.
Taylor’s Ranking: #13 • Rachel’s Ranking: #8
Taylor: This song is good because it picks up where the last movie left off. There’s a transition to the summer plotline.
Rachel: When I watch “What Time Is It” now I just remember the People Magazine special HSM2 edition I had and I think this is why it’s ranked so favorably. I loved that magazine!!! There was a spread about how Corbin Bleu chose the phrases that were printed on his graphic tees. “I majored in VACATION” is featured prominently in this scene.
“Fabulous”
Most of this movie is about solidifying the audience’s understanding of Sharpay as a spoiled rich girl. This number is basically just her listing all of the objects and experiences wealth has afforded her. Yes, before you Google it, this movie came out in the summer of ‘07.
Taylor’s Ranking: #3 • Rachel’s Ranking: #11
Taylor: I have a lot to say about this. I don’t even know where to begin. I love that there’s different choreography for every line that she says. There’s always a different flourish or affectation. I think if this happened in an alternate timeline, she would have been one of the celebrities that was robbed by the Bling Ring. And I respect the poetic license of a “Tiffany hairband.” [ed note: Tiffany does sell 18k gold headbands for $3,500.]
Rachel: I think it’s important to note here that the bathing suit she’s wearing is a tankini. I remember hearing the line “towels imported from Turkey” and I didn’t know about Turkish cotton at this point in my life so I was like, “Why is she buying towels from the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide?!”
Taylor: What do we think her sign is? Seeing as she loves material things, I’d say she’s a sign that’s ruled by Venus, but I don’t think she’s a Libra ‘cause she doesn’t care about people liking her. I also don’t think she’s a Taurus because I don’t know any Tauruses that could be bothered to do this whole rigamarole. [ed note: Rachel is a Libra and Taylor is a Taurus so this could be a self-serving distancing. She’s a Leo then.]
“Work This Out”
Sharpay and Ryan’s parents own the country club that all of their classmates are working at for the summer. Troy is getting it easy compared to everyone else because Sharpay wants him as her duet [ed note: life?] partner. In this number, they all dance around the kitchen singing about the pains of working and Troy tries to make them feel better.
Taylor’s Ranking: #20 • Rachel’s Ranking: #10
Rachel: Much to say!!!!
Taylor: It’s not unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Rachel: Yeah, I mean the choreography is no more impressive than “Fabulous,” but I think there is something very funny about this vaguely proletariat streak that HSM2 has. Like none of these movies are about class, but if you had to make the argument, HSM2 is!!! I like them kind of complaining about their shitty boss and then Troy is just very sweet giving everybody a pep talk as if them remembering that they’re all in this together will solve everything.
Taylor: They should have unionized!
Rachel: There’s only so much one little meathead can do!!!!
Taylor: This is basically just boneless “Today 4 You” from “RENT.”
You Are the Music in Me (Troy and Gabriella)
Well, shucks, at least the club has a great music room! Everyone gathers to sing one of Kelsey’s new compositions that sums up how T+G feel about one another.
Taylor’s Ranking: #7 • Rachel’s Ranking: #14 [ed note: Troy’s jersey number]
Rachel: I think the Sharpay version is far superior to the lowkey Troy and Gabriella one. Can you make the case for this version?!
Taylor: Zac Efron’s vocals in this are very sweet and tender. It has more falsetto than any other High School Musical song and I think that’s just great.
Rachel: Yeah, this is definitely very sweet. But I think I like him as a scared puppy in the other version better than like, him as a sweet puppy in this version. I think an underlying thing with all of my HSM opinions is that I’m not completely sold on Vanessa [ed note: Anne] Hudgens.
“I Don’t Dance”
Chad (Corbin Bleu) and Ryan dance on a baseball field and bicker about Chad’s hesitancy to dance.
Taylor’s Ranking: #24 • Rachel’s Ranking: #27
Rachel: Just guys bein’ dudes!
Taylor: The song works because Corbin Bleu is clearly a very good dancer. Or maybe that’s why it doesn’t work.
Rachel: The most redeemable thing about it is that it’s basically just Ryan being like, “Chad, you don’t have to be masc.” My new take is this whole series is about performing gender.
“You Are the Music in Me” (Sharpay and Troy)
Sharpay arranges for Troy to join her in singing a much higher energy version of Kelsey’s new song. He remains extremely nervous around her manic energy even as she pulls strings for him around the club and with a nearby university’s basketball team.
Taylor’s Ranking: #26
Rachel’s Ranking: #5
Taylor: Are we going to talk about how she has a train of tulle attached to her denim mini-skirt?
Rachel: That encapsulates why this is the superior version of the song. And it shows how he is only really comfortable performing when he’s the more performative one in a duet.
Taylor: He can do camp! Just only when he’s the center of attention.
“Gotta Go My Own Way”
Gabriella decides Troy is spending too much time with Sharpay and thinks they should break up. This is the only good song across the three films that’s lead by Gabriella (V[A]H deserved better).
Taylor’s Ranking: #11
Rachel’s Ranking: #7
Rachel: Okay. I don’t know that I “ship” Troy and Gabriella.
Taylor: She’s always going on about “finding herself” but I’m not sure why she can’t do that while also fucking Zac Efron.
Rachel: I think we could make the case this that this has something to do with the presumed divorce of her parents?? Gabriella go to therapy babes…
Taylor: That would have been more compelling if she had said that instead of being like, “My science projects are consuming me!”
Rachel: Right, they work together, full time as we’re lead to believe. It’s summer! She’s not at fucking space camp.
“Bet on It”
Troy struts around the golf course and considers the difference between what people expect from him and what he wants for himself.
Taylor’s Ranking: #1
Rachel’s Ranking: #3
Rachel: MUCH TO THINK ABOUT HERE!!!!!
Taylor: It needs no explanation.
Rachel: We have to address Trisha Paytas’s shot for shot remake of the video. I also realized in rewatching that this is exactly what I wore to work everyday when I worked at a bougie patisserie.
Taylor: I do love the little homage to “Hopelessly Devoted To You” when he sees his reflection.
Rachel: Now I’m thinking about when Mitski said that her love songs are actually written for music itself, not a person, as it applies to Troy Bolton.
“Everyday”
Troy and Gabriella are back together on stage and everyone is elated, as if they’ve just heard that their parents are no longer get a divorce.
Taylor’s Ranking: #14 • Rachel’s Ranking: #24
Taylor: It’s an inversion of the first movie where she starts singing the closing number and he pops in, but it’s the other way around this time!
Rachel: His class ring is my favorite part. And I don’t understand why everyone roots for them as much as they do. In both the first and second movies they’re like scheming to get them to be happy together again like they’re a royal couple or something.
Taylor: The true love story is Troy loving himself. Plus here, he dances with the joie de vivre of a bar mitzvah dancer.
Rachel: It’s too much within this context… but again proves that he loves performing when he’s the center of attention!
“All For One”
Another closing number about the realization that everything’s a lot better if everyone sticks together, but this time outdoors!
Taylor’s Ranking: #6
Rachel’s Ranking: #18
This song is greatly served by the Miley cameo.
“Now or Never”
We’re at another Big Basketball Game and Troy and the rest of the Wildcats are desperate to win. Troy doesn’t think they can make it, but Gabriella interrupts mid-song from the stands to give him the encouragement he needs.
Taylor’s Ranking: #22 • Rachel’s Ranking: #17
Taylor: Again, it’s not unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Rachel: I’d argue that Vanessa [ed note: Anne] Hudgen’s rising in the bleachers makes it completely unlike anything that came before or after it in The Culture.
“Right Here, Right Now”
What does fate hold for T+G in their college years? They stress out about it, then in this number, resolve to instead live in the present.
Taylor’s Ranking: #28 • Rachel’s Ranking: #21
Rachel: I think my take on this song is much like your take on the “You Are the Music In Me” Gabriella version. It’s just so tender and nice. But there is something a little “the lady doth protest too much” about all these songs they have that emphasize how important they are to each other.
Taylor: I agree.
“I Want It All”
A Sharpay and Ryan number to showcase their ambition! This is the first major display of the film’s significantly larger budget—it’s extremely high energy and presents the most impressive set design for any HSM number. HSM3 had a theatrical release, while the preceding two premiered on Disney Channel.
Taylor’s Ranking: #12 • Rachel’s Ranking: #1
Rachel: I want a clip of Gabriella as Sharpay’s secretary saying, “It’s Oprah calling… again.” to play at my wake.
Taylor: I earnestly believe Bob Fosse would really get a kick out it.
“Can I Have This Dance”
More living in the present for T+G! They take to the school’s rooftop garden (which also appeared in the first movie, though with far fewer flowers) for a dance.
Taylor’s Ranking: #27 • Rachel’s Ranking: #16
Taylor: It’s unbelievable that this public school would have a rooftop garden.
Rachel: But I want to believe.
“A Night to Remember”
Finally, a number that opens with a promposal! This track is about the two genders and their differing hopes for the prom.
Taylor’s Ranking: #8 • Rachel’s Ranking: #6
Taylor: This is the millennial “Telephone Hour” and it’s perfect.
Rachel: I think this is the best use of the increased budget for this movie.
Taylor: It also makes me think of the scene in the Carrie remake where Ansel Elgort is getting fitted for his prom tux. [ed note: Rachel and Taylor pause to plan on watching it soon.]
“Just Wanna Be With You”
A song about T+G’s desire to be together forever. Pretty delusional, given the context.
Taylor’s Ranking: #19 • Rachel’s Ranking: #19
Lovely to take a moment to step away from the Troy/Gab drama and just focus on Ryan and Kelsey… and then pull to a shot of Zac Efron and Vanessa [Anne] Hudgens lounging on a piano.
“The Boys Are Back”
An opportunity to drive home the importance of the friendship between Troy and Chad. They go to a junkyard and dance on top of beaten down cars. At one point, Zac Efron and Corbin Bleu are replaced by children who play the younger versions of their characters.
Taylor’s Ranking: #21 • Rachel’s Ranking: #28
Taylor: Zac’s Karate Kid bandana and the back-pocket Cruising bandana…much to think about!
Rachel: I was just going to say I love when he does macho man drag in this movie. Earlier there’s a scene of him fixing his old pickup truck… This young man has too many interests.
“Walk Away”
Our final Gabriella dud! She voices her decision to leave early for the Stanford Honor’s Program, even though it means she’ll miss prom and the senior musical.
Taylor’s Ranking: #30 • Rachel’s Ranking: #30
Rachel: Another Gabriella bore.
Taylor: I don’t know what this song sounds like. [ed note: we listened to it 30 minutes ago.]
“Scream”
Troy is extremely stressed out after fighting with his dad about college and goes to the East High after hours to stomp around and sing about his angst. Is Troy a libra? t
Taylor’s Ranking: #16 • Rachel’s Ranking: #12
Rachel: A banger of a B-side.
Taylor: “Scream” walked so Billie Eilish hobbling in her boot in her SNL performance could run.
“Senior Year Spring Musical”
They finally settle the complaint that we never actually see a musical in the either HSM1 or HSM2 by mashing up all of the songs in HSM3 and calling it the school’s musical.
Taylor’s Ranking: #15 • Rachel’s Ranking: #22
This song is essentially a DJ Earworm mashup of the rest of the movie.
“We’re All In This Together” (Grad Version)
Everybody announces what university they’ll be attending alongside a churchy remix of the first movie’s closing number. They’d run out of ways to say everything’s better when we decide to avoid arguing.
Taylor’s Ranking: #29 • Rachel’s Ranking: #23
They were obligated to do a slowed down version, but it doesn’t mean it’s necessary.
“High School Musical”
The graduating class celebrates the lessons they learned in high school and the fact that they’ve finally figured out Who They Are. What a relief!
Taylor’s Ranking: #25 • Rachel’s Ranking: #13
Taylor: It’s the name of the thing! They said the thing!
Rachel: I was more emotional when high school ended for these fictional characters than for myself so I have a soft spot for this song. [ed note: Rachel almost cried listening to this song while editing the newsletter.]