While every High School Musical film generated a lot of traction, none was quite as elaborate as the final entry into the series.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year had Troy, Gabriella and the gang enjoying their final days at East High while questioning where life would take them after graduation.
As the only film in the series to be released in theaters, High School Musical 3 had a large budget that allowed it to create bigger musical numbers than its predecessors. This list will rank all the songs in the film.
Before we get started, it's worth noting that certain songs won't be making the lineup including “We’re All In This Together (Graduation Mix)” a background number), “Just Getting Started” (a bonus song), and “Senior Year Spring Musical” (revamped mashup). Every other song will be making an appearance.
Additionally, rather than looking exclusively at the music, this list will consider the scenes in which a song appears and how it fits into the greater context of the movie.
With that said, it's time to go back to East High. Here is how every song in High School Musical 3 stacks up.
Walk Away
Gabriella sings “Walk Away” as she says goodbye to high school, packs up her life, and moves away to Stanford. She struggles with the transition, knowing she’ll miss out on many of her last high school experiences, including prom with Troy and graduation.
The ballad contains a collection of vibrant instruments including drums, trumpet, and piano. That being said, "Walk Away" isn't the most memorable of the songs since there is little choreography. It feels transitional in nature.
Just Wanna Be With You
Ryan and Kelsi come together at the piano to write a song for Troy and Gabriella. While the first 45 seconds of “Just Wanna Be With You” has the pair's romantic feelings growing stronger, the rest of the bop has Troy and Gabriella rehearsing for the Spring Musical.
The poppy melody is cute, but there’s little weight to it within the context of the movie.
High School Musical
The titular song of the series is sung at East High’s graduation. It’s like the “We’re All In This Together” of the original High School Musical, but this one is sung at the end of the entire series instead of the end of a single movie.
“High School Musical” is backed up by the school band and a whole bunch of celebratory choreography made far more exciting by all the flowy graduation gowns. The song ends with a final nod from all the main characters as they reflect on their journeys.
As great as this farewell was, there were many other songs in High School Musical 3 that made an even bigger impact.
Scream
Troy gets a chance to confront his feelings in “Scream.” He doesn’t know whether he should play basketball to make his dad happy, do music for himself, or choose a college that’s close to Gabriella. In order to sort himself out, he heads to the halls of East High.
“Scream” is led by roaring electric guitars and a rockin’ piano. Though it’s not it’s not quite as memorable as Troy’s High School Musical 2 solo, “Bet On It,” it still features a lot of angst and power. Troy's dramatic dance moves (and a load of special effects) heighten the mood.
Can I Have This Dance?
In “Can I Have This Dance?” Troy and Gabriella head back to the East High rooftop garden they visited in the first movie. This time, Gabriella teaches her boyfriend how to dance at prom.
The scene is warm and whimsical, with the pair ballroom dancing to the beat-driven ballad. The acoustic guitar and strings evoke a classic, romantic feel, as does the rain that soaks the pair by the end. The weather can’t stop those heart eyes.
Now Or Never
High School Musical 3 opens with Troy stuck in the middle of an intense basketball game. Though the Wildcats have only 16 minutes left, they know they can turn the score around if they work together.
The song combines a hip-hop beat with lively cheers and support from the East High band. The tune helps establish everything the HSM series is known for and even gives Gabriella a moment to connect with Troy. “Now Or Never” nicely sets up the story to come.
A Night To Remember
While at first it appears that “A Night To Remember” is a number about East High’s students preparing for prom, it is revealed by the end of the scene that the gang is simply rehearsing for the Spring Musical.
The bop is colorful and collaborative with the entire cast getting in on the action. With enchanting sets, rhythmic music, and story-like lyrics, this musical number helps build anticipation and highlights the best of every character. Put more simply, it's a lot of fun.
The Boys Are Back
While looking for a part for the truck in the junkyard, Troy and Chad reminisce about the days they were kids with no worries in "The Boys Are Back."
The rock song is driven by a strong beat and electric guitars as the friends pretend to drive race cars and fight bad guys. There's also intense breakdancing and a flashback to Troy and Chad as kids.
The song is imaginative, catchy, and by far the most bromantic of the bunch.
Right Here, Right Now
Of all the Troy-Gabriella songs, this one managed to hit the hardest. It didn’t need flashy choreography or a huge cast to make a huge emotional impact.
“Right Here, Right Now,” has Gabriella and Troy living in the moment together — tucked away in the tree house, away from the huge party going down below — despite knowing the future will soon separate them.
This tension, combined with the pair’s flowing harmonies and warm instrumentation, helped cement “Right Here, Right Now” as one of the most romantic songs in the film.
I Want It All
As great as the simplicity of “Right Here Right Now” is, we can’t deny that the big musical numbers definitely have a place.
In "I Want It All," Sharpay and Ryan dream of making it big as entertainers. Their fantasy transforms the East High cafeteria into a future where all their former classmates cater to them as employees, paparazzi, and fans.
The elaborate sequence is glitzy and creative, featuring massive sets and sleek choreography. The Broadway-esque music, inspirational lyrics, and powerful melody had this one standing out as not just one of the best numbers in High School Musical 3, but one of the best songs in the entire trilogy.