A Definitive Ranking of Every Song From High School Musical

 

Welcome Back to Disney! I hope you enjoyed my post last week where I ranked the Top 10 Songs From Austin & Ally. This week I'm going to give A Definitive Ranking of Every Song From High School Musical. If you remember from one of my earlier posts where I ranked the Top Ten Disney Channel Original Movies then you know that the High School Musical trilogy was at the top of that list. I grew up during the High School Musical craze. It was everything when I was in elementary school and 6th grade and still holds up today. As I still love watching these movies when I get the chance. In fact, I just recently re-watched the third and second one from the trilogy. I love that anybody of any age can watch and enjoy these movies, as well. The music obviously made the movies what they were and are to today. So, that's why I decided to rank or list my favorite songs from every High School Musical movie starting with the first one, because it is the musical movie that I believe started it all and all the musicals after it. 

A brief note before we begin: this ranking includes only songs that were included in the movie. So, I did not include any of the songs from the High School Musical soundtrack. Just the ones from the movie. Also, when I am ranking these songs I am basically also ranking the performances of them in the movie. So, not just the song but the overall scene/performance of it. Now, let's get into A Definitive Ranking of Every Song From High School Musical.

(from last to first).....

#9 What I've Been Looking For (Sharpay & Ryan) 

This is my least favorite song from High School Musical because it is just less memorable and not as good as the other songs in the movie. It's not a terrible song, just not my favorite. However, it is still pretty iconic in that it is the first ever Sharpay and Ryan performance we see from the trilogy as well as the first "Sharpay oh-so extra vocal warm-up" that we hear before they perform the song in the movie. I mean who didn't do Sharpay's vocal warm-up before singing something at least once in their life or just doing it for fun around your friends? I know I did. This song is just pretty upbeat and fun but nothing more than that. 

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#8 Stick To The Status Quo 

I actually surprised myself that I ranked this song lower on my list from all the others, because when I was younger and first watched High School Musical I really liked this song and scene in the movie. Don't get me wrong I still do to an extent but not as much anymore. I think the movie scene itself is better than the song. Now listening to it back I don't really like the message of the song as the title itself suggests it is about sticking to the status quo and not being different or doing something out of the "norm". I am all about being different and standing out and not conforming to societies' standards. Even though the movie itself contradicts this song and is meant to go against that whole status quo notion. The song itself I just don't like. But, again I get that it was just meant to be what it was for that scene in the movie. Having said that it is one of the most iconic scenes from the movie as I feel like the choreography was something so different from what anyone had ever seen before at that time when the movie first came out. I mean it's not everyday that you see a bunch of students dancing, getting on tables, and singing in their school cafeteria all in sync. But, after seeing this movie I am sure every school wanted to recreate this scene from the movie. Of course, then there's the iconic part when Sharpay sings and then the students break into singing the chorus again, which is my favorite part of the song and the scene in the movie. So, an iconic scene but not the best song from the movie. 

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#7 What I've Been Looking For "Reprise" (Troy & Gabriella) 

This is a much slower, but better version of the same song that Sharpay and Ryan sing in the movie. It is also a shorter version of the one that Sharpay and Ryan sing but still a great, brief and pivotal moment in the movie. This is a more sweet and soft version compared to Sharpary and Ryan's lively, upbeat arrangement. I kind of prefer the softer more slower version which is why I ranked this higher than the other version. Troy and Gabriella's chemistry during this scene in the movie is great and when they sing this song together it just melts your heart (in a good way). Their voices go so well together. This is just a classic song and moment in the movie for sure. 

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#6 Bop To The Top 

This is in my opinion the better duet that Sharpay and Ryan sing and perform in the movie. I mean the iconic blue dress Sharpay wears, the flashy ladder, and disco ball. As well as the iconic Spanish speaking part at the beginning of the song. It's just a really fun, upbeat song and it is one of the more catchy songs from the movie. It is also a fun song to dance to, as well. I remember when my sisters and I got the first High School Musical CD and singing this song over and over in my room. 

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#5 Get'cha Head In The Game 

This is not only an iconic song from High School Musical but also an iconic scene in the movie. I mean two words: basketball choreography. Wait make that three words: Troy. This is the ultimate certified bop and performance number from Troy that perfectly encapsulates that feeling when...well...your head's in the game but your heart's in the song. Even though I found out years later that Zac Efron (Troy) wasn't the voice in this song it still didn't change my love for him, this song, and this scene in the movie. I mean I think this scene in the movie made every girl fall hard for Troy Bolton. In all seriousness, the beat of this song is great, the lyrics are great, and the overall message is great and relatable to many people. I do have to admit though that Troy's little spoken part in the song after the bridge is pretty funny. I don't know why it just makes me laugh sometimes. I love to laugh and I love this song. This is definitely one of the most iconic and memorable songs from the trilogy let alone the movie itself.  

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#4 When There Was Me and You 

This is one of my most favorite songs from High School Musical and the most underrated in my opinion because it's a good ballad. I love a good ballad and no High School Musical movie is complete without a melodramatic breakup ballad from Gabriella Montez. I look forward to them every time. I feel that not enough people talk about this song from High School Musical. But, I love this song and the scene from this movie. It's simple, but a classic. This is another song from the movie I loved to sing as a kid and still love to sing when I want to listen to some good throwback songs. 

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#3 The Start of Something New 

This is the song that literally started it all. It's the first time we see the two main characters Troy and Gabriella sing together. Troy and Gabriella's chemistry during this scene is unmatched. It is immediately clear from this opening song and scene that Disney struck gold. The beat of this song is great as well as the meaning of the song. There's so many reasons to love this song. It's easily one of the most iconic and memorable songs from the High School Musical movies and that's why it deserves the top three spot on this list. It just makes me feel happy and warm inside every time I listen to it and very nostalgic as do most of these songs. 

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#2 We're All In This Together 

They definitely saved one of the best songs for last in this movie. I love this song because of the overall message and it is fun, upbeat, and energetic. This is also another great song to dance to from the movie. I mean who remembers the Disney Channel commercials of the cast teaching viewers the choreography of this dance that they actually did in the movie. It's such an iconic song and scene from the movie because it's the first time that all the cast comes together to perform a huge song and dance musical number. As each main cast member has a fun and energetic solo showcasing all their unique voices, which also makes this song great and different from the others. This song will never be too overhyped or too overplayed, in my opinion. This song and dance scene was like the most pivotal moment for the trilogy. Defining what the movie was and would go on to be. In other words, this feel-good, school-spirited song is THE definitive theme song for the whole High School Musical saga. It's definitely an unskippable song that never gets old. 

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#1 Breaking Free 

Easily the BEST song on this list and in the movie is "Breaking Free". This pre-finale finale ends all pre-finale finales. Not only is the song the best one in this movie specifically, but probably the best in the whole entire saga. Watching Troy and Gabriella's chemistry during this scene is pure Disney magic. It's the best thing since Romeo & Juliet. This song and scene is the MOST iconic, memorable, and unforgettable moment not only from the musical saga itself but from any DCOM movie of all time. I also really like the line of the song that goes, "There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach", which brings me back to my faith. I love a song that has any kind of faith content in it as I am a Christian. So, I love that about this song. The word faith is also mentioned a couple other times in the song, as well. I also love the overall message and beat of this song. It's all about breaking free from societal or family expectations and letting everyone see who you really are and be who you are meant to be and reassuring you that nothing can stop you from reaching for the stars, especially when you have someone you love by your side (like Troy and Gabriella have each other). From Troy's first line of the song to his iconic moonwalk, to the iconic moment that Troy spins Gabriella. Everything about this song is wonderful and gives me all the feels. Truly the best. 

 

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Well, that concludes A Definitive Ranking of Every Song From High School Musical. Creating this list was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I don't know if that is because before I did this I hadn't listened to these songs in a long time or just because they truly were all a part of my childhood and they are all good in their own way. But I think I put them in the correct order of which ones I truly think are best. I would love to know if you would rank these songs in the same order that I did. So, let me know in the comments below and if you have never seen High School Musical, which if you haven't what?!?! that's crazy (no judgement here). But seriously if you have not seen High School Musical or have never heard any of these songs go watch and listen to them now and come Back to Disney next week for more!