A Definitive Ranking Of Every "High School Musical" Song Number

We're all in this together.

30. "When There Was Me And You" —HSM

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Though the song attempts to capture the desolate feeling of heartbreak, Vanessa Hudgens doesn't commit to the performance. Plus, there's only so many shots of her looking longingly at lockers, out of windows, and on stairs that we can take.

29. "We're All In This Together (Graduation Mix)" —HSM 3

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A slowed-down version of the titular film's mega-hit transforms the previously happy song into an emotional journey that sends the children off into adulthood. But let's be real, this song is super annoying when there's no fun dance moves involved.

28. "Now or Never" —HSM 3

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"Now or Never" never quite gets it, mostly due to the fact that "Get'cha Head in the Game" so beautifully summed up the pressure between living your own life and giving up your happiness for others. However, Zac Efron does look beautiful in slow motion.

27. "Just Walk Away" —HSM 3

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V. Hud never emotionally conveys the dread of leaving home to attend a top five university. Also, what's up with this chick and windows?

26. "Scream" —HSM 3

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Zac fully invests himself into the character of Troy, so much so that the audience can really feel his anguish over the impending college decision. However, High School Musical 2's "Bet On it" was significantly less angry and way more sexy.

25. "You Are The Music In Me (Reprise) —HSM 2

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The change of melody strips down the original song's emotional drive. And what's up with Sharpay's skirt? It looks like she's pooping rainbow tulle? But damn can Zac sing.

24. "Gotta Go My Own Way" —HSM 2

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V. Hud once again does not possess the necessary acting capability to truly enrapture her audience. Though the song's lyrics could be applicable to anyone's life, it would work if she just fully committed to the performance. You just lost your super hot boyfriend that literally every single girl in America wants and you can't shed a tear or two? AND AGAIN THOSE FUCKING LOCKERS/ WINDOWS/ STAIRS, JESUS CHRIST.

23. "Right Here, Right Now" —HSM 3

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Zac and Vanessa have an obvious chemistry, yet their performances cannot save the rather hackneyed lyrics of this throwaway ditty. Right here, right now, I am asleep.

22. "High School Musical" —HSM 3

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Ah, I see what you did there.

21. "Can I Have This Dance?" —HSM 3

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Zac and Vanessa dance beautifully in this simple song that does not need to exist in the world. Seriously, this is an obvious excuse to have Zac Efron be wet at some point in this movie.

20. "What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)" —HSM

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Though a valiant attempt, Zac and Vanessa's version does not compare to the rambunctious original sung by the characters Sharpay and Ryan.

19. "A Night To Remember" —HSM 3

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This song about the teenager rite of passage known as "prom" uses inventive choreography. But come on, no prom is this friggin' exciting.

18. "Fabulous" —HSM 2

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Ashley Tisdale's devotion to her character, Sharpay, is obvious through her spectacular performance in "Fabulous." The way Ashley commits to her psychotic character proves that she is one of the most talented members of this cast. I need, I need... more of this song.

17. "All For One" —HSM 2

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This song movingly introduces summer as a synonym for life. And Zac gets wet at the end so that's like 1,000 more points, right?

16. "Bop to the Top" —HSM

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Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel showcase their considerable talents in this song that bopped them to the top of my heart, my friends.

15. "The Boys Are Back" —HSM 3

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Corbin Bleu and Zac relive their youth in this fun song that shows off their natural chemistry. The audience also gets to see young Chad and young Troy, which is so totally adorable.

14. "Everyday" —HSM 2

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"Everyday" tells the story of two people who find themselves forever bonded by the magic of song. Though the execution is not perfect, the message of the song shines valiantly through. In addition, white does not look good on everyone, producers.

13. "What Time Is It?" —HSM 2

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"What Time Is It?" is an imperative commentary on the teenager's obsession with "hanging out" with their friends in a non-academic setting. Throughout the song, the audience can feel the characters' anticipation about "summertime" — most likely a metaphor for adulthood. But, like, Zac does an awesome job at looking fine in that striped polo.

12. "What I've Been Looking For" —HSM

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Sharpay and Ryan once again find magic with their introductory song that succinctly illustrates their brother-sister relationship. In addition, Ryan Evans wins for most inventive wardrobe.

11. "I Just Wanna Be With You" —HSM 3

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Zac and Vanessa sing this song beautifully with a level of chemistry only second to Spencer Tracey and Katherine Hepburn. In addition: OMFG they are so in love why can't I have someone like Troy, OMFG Gabriella doesn't deserve him but this song is so cute!!!!!

Sep. 26, 2014, at 18:18 PM

We originally referred to Katherine Hepburn as Audrey, oops.

10. "Work This Out" —HSM 2

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Slowly, one by one, they all join in this song about taking back your power and working together to achieve your goals. The powerful choreography reminds the audience of the need to work problems through and to never cease fighting for your truth. And they bang on pots with utensils, which is soooo imaginative and cool!

9. "I Don't Dance" —HSM 2

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Corbin Bleu and Lucas Grabeel show off their masterful talents in dance and combine the worlds of sports and musical theatre into a song about acceptance, trying something new, and working with one another. Also, how does Lucas manage to do those things to his body? Flexibility of the year award!

8. "Get'cha Head in the Game" —HSM

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Though Zac is not singing (Drew Seeley who?), his performance is a master class in the art of lip syncing. His despair is obvious, his conundrum is painful. How will he get through the turbulent time of second semester junior year? The audience is unsure, but we are prepared to go on this journey with him. And his face is also freakishly beautiful.

7. "Start of Something New" —HSM

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This song marks the first time that the audience sees Troy and Gabriella onstage together and it inspires the rest of the series. The conviction in the characters' eyes truly shows the embarrassment of singing karaoke while on vacation with your parents. The audience falls in love with the characters before soon realizing that they will never, ever, meet someone that cute and normal at a ski resort on New Year's Eve.

6. "You Are The Music In Me" —HSM 2

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"You Are The Music In Me" captures the couple's love in one key song that accurately highlights the fact that the characters' strengths are unleashed when together. And they're like also really good at singing this song.

5. "Stick To The Status Quo" —HSM

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A vital critique on the issue of cliques in high schools, "Stick To The Status Quo" manages to convey a half-century's worth of social issues into one simple song — absolutely genius. If only high school bullying could be solved through song.

4. "Bet On It" —HSM 2

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"Bet On It" shows Zac at his finest. Unlike his counterpart, Vanessa, Zac retains the ability to transcend the fourth wall and mesmerize his audience though he is the only character on screen. He also looks super cute in all black. It's just a simply iconic performance that will be studied and lauded for centuries.

Sep. 26, 2014, at 18:18 PM

This post originally said that "Bet On It" was from the first film which is so not right.

3. "I Want It All" —HSM 3

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Sharpay and Ryan's obsession with fame, fortune, and Hollywood comes to a head with "I Want It All," which opens the dialogue about society's desire for greatness. The song's production value blows all other performances out of the water, as well as its effortless tie-in of other characters. Really though, how friggin' talented is Lucas Grabeel?

2. "Breaking Free" —HSM

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Zac and Vanessa's performances are goosebump-inducing. The fear, the love, the betrayal, the excitement, are painted across their faces, a masterful Jackson Pollack of performances. Special shout-out to Kelsi, who can somehow play a song that uses dozens of instruments on only a piano.

1. "We're All In This Together" —HSM

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Loud, colorful, splashy — "We're All In This Together" truly encapsulates the feelings of friendship. Each character beautifully flows with one another, allowing for a masterpiece of a musical number. Come on, let's have some fun.