🎤 My Ranking Of Every Song From The First High School Musical Movie - Disney Channel Original Movie 💓🤍

 Let’s celebrate this week by ranking every song from the iconic Disney Channel original movie… High School Musical!!

High School musical wasn’t the first DCOM musical, but it did make a big splash! In a way, it seems like a childhood staple for the year 2006. When I was in the first grade I performed with my sisters a dance routine at our elementary school talent show. During the awards, a whole bunch of students got up and did a flash mob to “We’re All In This Together”. Talk about celebrating good times! That was definitely a highlight of the night!

So, as you can see, High School Musical made an impact on a lot of our younger selves and the music was the biggest way it brought people together! I’m so excited to be ranking these songs even though it was super tough to figure out!

**A note before the list begins – I am including the song “I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” even though it wasn’t a song/scene in the actual move. It was included on the soundtrack, so I feel it needs to be included on this list. So, here it goes… my official ranking of every song from the first move in the High School Musical franchise from least to most favorite!

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#10 – I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You

Okay… I know technically I didn’t have to add this one if it was just going to be last on the list, since it was just an extra song. However, I wanted to add it because I want your thoughts on if you agree that it comes after all the songs that were in the movie. Should it have been added in the movie? I love the vibe of this song, but I do think it doesn’t go with the vibe of the other songs from the movie. Let me know what you think!

 

#9 – Get’cha Head In The Game

I know… I know… how can I put a Troy solo second to last? Well, I love me a good Troy solo… Bet On It anyone?!? However, this one is a little too repetitive. I do love that basketball is incorporated into the choreography, but it’s just missing that little something to put it over the top. It’s still an iconic HSM scene/song, though.

 

#8 – What I’ve Been Looking For (Reprise)

Now, as a kid, I loved this song/scene. I thought Troy and Gabriella were the cutest together and I was only six. This scene was wayyyyy more interesting to me when I was younger. Now, 16 years later, it’s a little too slow for my taste. I love slow ballads, but this one was missing that something that made slow good instead of boring. You get what I’m saying? Hopefully. I still love Troy and Gabriella, but they didn’t bring the spice to this song that Sharpay and Ryan did.

 

#7 – The Start Of Something New

I promise I don’t have anything against Troy and Gabriella, but their songs for the first movie are just missing something and I know you’re probably wondering what this “something” I keep mentioning is… but umm… well I don’t really know what it is myself. I just know some of their songs are missing it. Whatever “it” is. Yeah… I know I’m making A LOT of sense. I’m just that great at articulating what I mean. Not. I do think this song is a great one to start out the movie, though. It’s legit the start of something new. A whole new franchise that will blow people’s minds! Also, I love the New Year’s party scene this song is performed in. Such an early 2000s teen vibe for sure!

 

#6 – Stick to the Status Quo

This is a pivotal song/scene in HSM. This is when you start to see change happening in the school. Things are becoming chaotic and people are breaking out of their shells and showing other sides to themselves. I love how Troy and Gabriella aren’t a big part of this scene. It’s all about the other students that have been inspired to break out of their boxes and show their hidden hobbies/talents. The choreography is perfect for this scene and those camera shots focusing down on the cafeteria tables showing everyone at once are awesome! I love how the characters who are telling their other interests are ignoring the constant chorus telling them to “stick to the status quo”. It’s a push and pull song. And the pushing to leave the status quo is ringing strong throughout this scene.

 

#5 – Bop To The Top

I LOVED this song as a kid and it’s crazy how much I remember the choreography to it! I know Sharpay and Ryan were seen as super extra characters and thought the world revolved around them. Which is somewhat true. But nobody can say they didn’t give it their all for their performances. They have the “something” I was talking about. So, sure, they are not the most humble characters. But they do bring it! The energy and attitude in this song is great! Also, I LOVE any song that includes spanish! I have to say it… please don’t cringe… but this song is a total BOP!

 

#4 – What I’ve Been Looking For

Again, Sharpay and Ryan might be extra, but they have what I’ve been looking for 😉 that’s been missing in Troy and Gabriella’s performances. I love the “Do, do, do, dos” they add in this version that they didn’t have in the reprise. The tapping solo by Sharpay, the snapping, the choreography, the beat… it all works for this song! If a song makes me want to dance then it’s an insta-favorite! But I want to know what you think. Is this version better than the reprise? Let me know!

 

#3 – When There Was Me and You

Anytime I hear this song, it reminds me of my sister Alyssa. She used to put the HSM cd in the radio and blast it outside while singing along beautifully. Killer vocals at the age of eight! This song finally has the something that was missing in other songs featuring Gabriella. This hits all the feels! The scene itself is amazing with its simplicity of Gabriella just walking around the school sharing what’s on her heart. My favorite part is when she walks up to the painting of Troy on the wall! The lyrics didn’t register with me when I was younger, but listening to them now, they are so heartbreakingly sweet and real. This definitely belongs in the top three.

 

#2 – Breaking Free

This was a BIG shock for me! I always thought this would be number one, but you’ll see why it didn’t quite make it to the top next. For now, let’s discuss this fantastic song! First off, I know it’s a long shot to call this a Christian song but it does mention faith and heaven. So, technically, it can almost count. Right? One thing that is missing in Sharpay and Ryan’s songs is heart and Troy and Gabriella sure do bring their hearts into these lyrics and performance. This is a perfect song to play after “Stick to the Status Quo” because that rope that is getting pulled by each side is finally breaking free. Troy and Gabriella are embracing their love to sing and perform and showing everyone that it’s okay to do the same with the things they love. This is such a special song and one that defines HSM!

 

#1 – We’re All In This Together

Ready to hear why this song tops Breaking Free? Well, the reason is these lyrics –

Everyone is special
In their own way
We make each other strong (make each other strong)
We're not the same
We're different in a good way
Together is where we belong

We're all in this together
Once we know... that we are
We're all stars... and we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows... when we stand
Hand-in-hand... make our dreams come true

They finally figured out that it’s good that people have different interests and that everyone is special in their own way! Oh, and don’t forget that it talks about celebrating in the first verse…

Here and now
It's time for celebration
I finally figured out (yeah yeah)
That all our dreams (uhh)
Have no limitations
That's what it's all about

I mean almost every lyric in this song is quotable and so encouraging! I love the unity and energy in this scene and how everyone comes together in school colors to celebrate good times! Who else remembers the chorography to this song? I bet you’re mentally going over it in your head right now. How about you turn this awesome song on and dance to it as you remember all the good times you had listening to it as a kid? Ready… go!

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This was so much fun ranking the High School Musical songs/scenes! I didn’t realize how many memories are attached to these songs until I sat down to write about them. These songs definitely take me back to 2006 and make me feel a connection with my younger self who loved this movie and these songs. That’s what this blog is all about. Celebrating good times!

Well, I’ll see you next week! Comment down below your favorite High School Musical song and a memory attached to it and don’t forget to celebrate each day because each day is a memory in the making!

** I was inspired by my sister’s blog (you know… the one with the killer vocals) to create this post and wanted to link her ranking list here for you to see how different we are even though we’re sisters. Haha.

https://backtodisneyblog.blogspot.com/2021/08/a-definitive-ranking-of-every-song-from.html

**This post is a critical/commentary analysis of the songs from High School Musical. This is for educational purposes only. I intend no copyright infringement and this is not a replacement for watching the movie/listening to the songs. As covered under Fair Use copyright laws listed below, I simply share my commentary by giving constructive feedback, criticism, and comments. 

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