While Disney’s High School Musical was well-received upon its premiere, its 2007 sequel did even better.
High School Musical 2 has the East High gang working at the Lava Springs Country Club over summer break. The problem? This destination is owned by Sharpay’s family, and the teen queen is scheming to make Troy her boyfriend.
Though you can always watch the new Disney+ High School Musical: The Musical: The Series to get your HSM fix, we thought it’d be fun to look back at the songs of the sequel. We’re ranking them now from worst to best. It’s worth noting that while we'll be considering the content of the songs, we’ll also be factoring the scenes they appear in and their context in relation to the story.
Ready for one summer you’ll never forget? Here are how the musical numbers from High School Musical 2 stack up.
You Are The Music In Me (Reprise)
Kelsi writes a romantic ballad for Troy and Gabriella to sing together called “You Are the Music in Me,” but Sharpay is quick to get her hands on it. The diva rehearses a theatrical rock version of the song with Troy in preparation for the Midsummer Night’s Talent Show.
While the upbeat reprise is lots of fun, it's meant to be humorous rather than relatable. Troy looks out of place when put next to Sharpay’s sparkly, dramatic persona. The pyrotechnics and backup dancers bring the scene to life, but it's not a stand-out.
Everyday
“Everyday” is the tune that actually ends up in the talent show. Ryan urges Troy to learn a new song last minute, both tricking his sister and surprising Troy by making Gabriella show up despite her previously leaving the country club. The song is essentially the Troy-Gabriella reunion number. The pair makes up, and the other Wildcats run onstage to show their support.
The scene is breezy, dreamy, and spirited as the wind rushes through their hair. The music itself, however, doesn’t boast much originality.
All For One
This beachy bopper is High School Musical 2’s answer to the original’s “We’re All in This Together.” It comes at the end of the film and shows that everyone is friends again as they jam by the pool. The scene is colorful and features lively dance moves as the guys and girls split into pairs. It ends with the group jumping into the water.
“All For One” is an entertaining finale, but it does little for the plot.
You Are The Music In Me
“You Are The Music In Me” is a classic Troy and Gabriella hit. Kelsi brings the couple around to the piano to harmonize with her, and they quickly take it away by dancing around the room. Their East High classmates join in later, and by the end, Troy decides he wants to participate in the upcoming talent show.
The song is feel-good fun, but unlike the duets between Troy and Gabriella in the original, there’s a noticeable lack of romantic tension. They’re already a singing power couple; this number simply supports it.
I Don’t Dance
Unlike the other songs in High School Musical 2, this one is primarily led by two side characters, Chad and Ryan. While Chad challenges Ryan to a game of baseball, Ryan challenges Chad to take a part in the Lava Springs talent show.
The song features elements of hip-hop and rap, but it also throws in some swingin’ trumpets and matching dance moves. The game’s spectators also get in on the game by cheering in unison.
"I Don't Dance" is arguably the film’s catchiest number.
What Time Is It?
“What Time Is It?” is High School Musical 2’s vibrant opening number. East High’s students eagerly await the bell to ring in class, signaling the end of the school year and the beginning of summertime. As soon as this happens, they throw their papers in the air, jump on their desks, and make plans for the break.
The bop cleverly blends high school band instruments and synths as Troy's team bounces basketballs and Sharpay signs yearbooks. The song reestablishes characters and creates anticipation for the events to come.
Gotta Go My Own Way
The summer didn’t turn out how Gabriella had planned, so in “Gotta Go My Own Way,” she decides to quit her lifeguard job at the country club. She’s mad at Sharpay for interfering with her work and she’s angry at Troy for being untrustworthy.
This duet takes place at night by the poolside. It encourages dialogue between Gabriella and Troy that ultimately ends with Gabriella giving Troy back the “T” necklace he gave her on the last day of high school.
The acoustic guitar, piano, and strings help build to this conclusion. It’s sappy, dramatic, and everything viewers want out of a High School Musical breakup number.
Bet On It
Troy gets his first-ever solo in “Bet On It.” With both Gabriella and his friends no longer talking to him, Troy questions what he's actually doing at the country club. Rather than silently pondering this, he takes his angsty feelings to the golf course.
“Bet On It” is in a minor key, backed by choppy electric guitars and a heavy drum beat that helps support Troy’s frustrated feelings and dramatic moves.
Work This Out
“Work This Out” has the East High gang deciding to make the best of their summer jobs at the country club despite feeling like they’ve hit rock bottom. Though most of the Wildcats are busy complaining in the kitchen, Troy decides to break up the negativity by busting a few moves.
The music is driven by electric guitar and a pulsating beat, with many of the teens banging on pots and pans midway. The dance moves are boppin’ and the melody is easy to sing along to.
Fabulous
Though it’s hard to pick which High School Musical 2 song should come out on top, this one might be the most “Fabulous.”
While Sharpay anticipates a summer of relaxation in this poolside bop, she also hopes for the chance to score Troy’s affections. She tells this all to her rich friends and Ryan while they jive with props like beach balls and magazines.
The music is groovy with a rolling beat and harmonies. The glitzy melody and over-the-top lyrics prove that Sharpay is born to be a star.