Before Zac Efron was hosting an award-winning travel show (Down to Earth with Zac Efron) or portraying prominent societal figures, like Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile and Kevin Von Erich in new A24 film The Iron Claw, he was the fresh face of Disney. From 2006 to 2009, it seemed like Efron was on the cover of every teen magazine with the words "heartthrob," "hottie," and "teen dream" written somewhere around his charming smile. He can accredit all of this fame and the devotion from fans to his role in the High School Musical trilogy. Efron's Troy Bolton, the basketball all-star who turned into a blushing theater kid who could sing, is someone everyone either wanted to date, befriend, or simply become.
Given that Efron is no stranger to musicals, it may come as a surprise to fans to learn that most of Troy's singing in the first High School Musical is not actually Efron. In fact, another musical actor, Drew Seeley, provided Troy's singing voice in the first film and in the concert tours. However, Efron reclaimed his full role (singing included) in the second and third films and gave us some of the most memorable and catchy songs to sing along to. From soulful solos to fun ensemble tracks, here are all of Zac Efron's High School Musical numbers, ranked.
20 "Start of Something New" — High School Musical
The heartfelt duet with Vanessa Hudgens that kicked off the whole musical film, "Start of Something New" comes in the very last spot on this list due to the actual voice behind Troy Bolton's singing. It would not feel right to rank Drew Seeley's fantastic singing among the 18 other songs belted out by Zac Efron and the rest of the cast. However, "Start of Something New" is fun and catchy, as Efron and Hudgens are able to look like two high schoolers breaking out of their shells while forced to do karaoke.
19 "Breaking Free" — High School Musical
And again, Seeley has an incredible singing voice, especially when paired with Hudgens, and "Breaking Free" was yet another fun and memorable Disney song. Unfortunately, seeing Efron lip sync along with a voice that is not even his does not deserve a spot among his own fabulous work. The only reason "Start of Something New" and this number are on this list is because Efron was allowed to sing the first couple of lines to open and close the songs, but overall, it is Seeley taking the reins on the lyrics.
18 "We're All in This Together" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
In the first High School Musical, "We're All in This Together" is upbeat, memorable, and entertaining. When the ensemble cast reprises the song in the third film, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, it seems like a quiet church choir is softly singing the tune in the background. Each of the main seniors step up as Ms. Darbus calls them out to announce what they plan to do after graduation, and then they line back up and sway along while harmoniously singing the iconic song. Had this been the first version of the song, it would not have made a great impression.
17 "Now or Never" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
While it makes sense to open the third film with the final basketball game of the season as well as a song sung by the whole school, the execution of "Now or Never" just didn't feel right. From auto-tuned voices sounding like they're coming through a box fan to the cringy scene where the spotlight hits Gabriella and Troy as they express their support for one another while the latter feels like he can't go on, this opening number just does not pack a punch like many of the other High School Musical songs.
16 "You Are the Music in Me" with Ashley Tisdale — High School Musical 2
Ashley Tisdale is great at playing the girl who always gets what she wants, and while her voice is great on its own, she does not harmonize very well with Efron in Sharpay's version of "You Are the Music in Me" in High School Musical 2.
This is not to say the two actors don't sing well together, but in this number, they are purposely meant to sound off because, one, the song was not originally intended for them as a duet, and, two, Sharpay takes over most of the lyrics because she loves the spotlight. In comparison to the original version, this one has a much faster tempo and quite a bit of filler, which kills the message of the song.
15 "Just Wanna Be with You" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
"Just Wanna Be With You" starts off with Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) and Kelsi (Oleysa Rulina) cozily singing at the piano, and then Troy and Gabriella jump in and take over. The song is sweet, as the high school sweethearts express how they only want to be with one another, but it is repetitive to the point of being annoying. In a matter of two minutes, the pair say "be with you" nine times. It is a bit too on-the-nose for this writer's taste, even if Efron and Hudgens nail the fun and flirty aspect of the whole song.
14 "Senior Year Spring Musical" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Two co-stars who actually dated, Efron and Hudgens reprise part of "Just Wanna Be With You" during the spring musical, but there are added features that bump the number up just a smidge the second time around. For instance, a couple of extra lyrics are added at the end of the "Senior Year Spring Musical" version to break up the monotonous repetition, and the rest of the cast come out on stage singing, so the song goes from being a duet to an ensemble chorus. This change enhances the message that all the friends want to be together rather than just a love-struck couple.
13 "Everyday" — High School Musical 2
"Everyday" is the typical reconciliation song that starts off slowly as the one singing — in this case, Troy — is hesitant and uncertain about what will happen during the song. Then, as their friend or love interest — which is Gabriella in this scene — joins in, the tempo picks up, the two harmonize, and it becomes a whole singalong experience. With most of the High School Musical cast joining in with the chorus at the end, this number is formulaic and fun, but not as memorable as many of the others.
12 "Scream" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
Efron's solo in the third High School Musical film (and second solo out of the whole trilogy), "Scream" starts off great as the tempo is slow while Troy contemplates his future. However, once the beat picks up and other instrumentals are added, the song's greatness declines and becomes just another overly dramatic number with a fairly decent message. With Efron dancing and running around the school, it almost feels like an angsty teen pop song paired with the Breakfast Club kids running around trying to avoid getting caught.
11 "Gotta Go My Own Way" — High School Musical 2
"Gotta Go My Own Way" is beautiful and sad all at the same time. Gabriella takes the lead, and for a moment, it feels as if it will be her final solo before she leaves Troy behind. However, Efron's character comes running out of nowhere to join in on the duet, and with pain in both of their voices, this song definitely managed to touch hearts. It reminds audiences that even young love can be so passionate and real, so when it comes time to part ways, those involved are left devastated and broken.
10 "All for One" — High School Musical 2
To close out High School Musical 2, the gang gets together at the club's pool for a fun number, where each of the main teenagers has their own brief solo. It is the standard upbeat song that would be found playing at any high schooler's pool bash, but what really kicks it up a notch is when the song transforms into a festive "battle of the sexes" situation as the girls and guys take turns singing and expressing how they just want to have fun during their final days of summer.
9 "Can I Have This Dance" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
"Can I Have This Dance" feels more like a song people dance to at a wedding than a Disney song. It is sweet and sensational as Efron and Hudgens' voices perfectly blend together. Efron's lower tone perfectly complements Hudgens' high, pixie-like vocals. The two reprise this High School Musical number towards the end of the film, and it is just as romantic as the first time. However, in the second version, the lyrics are altered to match the setting, and it is Efron who takes the lead before breaking out into an intimate duet.
8 "Right Here, Right Now" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
"Right Here, Right Now" is Troy and Gabriella's "I want" song that is featured in dozens of other Disney movies. The lyrics remind people, especially couples, to appreciate what they have in the moment, as the future can always change in the blink of an eye.
Hudgens' first two lines, "Then I would thank that star / That made our wish come true," take us back to her solo in the very first film, "When There Was Me and You," as her character talked about wishing on a star like in fairytales. A second verse of the song is reprised by the two when they are at their own homes thinking about their possible future apart from one another.
7 "Work This Out" — High School Musical 2
Efron's character leads the others in this upbeat number from High School Musical 2, where he tries to be the voice of reason for his friends when they all start complaining about their new summer jobs. Efron hits some high notes we have never heard from him before, and he totally nails the quirky leader role who is able to get everyone onboard with a can-do attitude based on his catchy song.
You may even find yourself nodding along as the cast joins in, but nothing will stop you from questioning the cleanliness of the kitchen after everyone is done beating on pots and pans with utensils.
6 "What Time Is It" — High School Musical 2
Perhaps one of the most relatable High School Musical songs for every teenager, Troy and his friends sit in Ms. Darbus' class, counting down to the last second until the final bell rings when summer officially begins. Unlike "Now or Never," this opening song does not feel out of place as everyone gets together to express how they plan to spend their summer vacation. The main teens get their own solos, and Efron and Hudgens' short duet in the beginning is rather cute and innocent.
5 "You Are the Music in Me" with Vanessa Hudgens — High School Musical 2
Kelsi knew exactly what she was doing when she specifically wrote "You Are the Music In Me" for Troy and Gabriella in High School Musical 2. Unlike Sharpay's version, this number is much slower and allows Hudgens and Efron to have equal parts in singing. Their voices are perfectly harmonized and sweet in the beginning, and as the tempo picks up, the song breaks into the expected "Disney pop territory," especially when everyone else joins in with the lovely couple.
4 "The Boys are Back" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
"The Boys Are Back" has that same club-like beat as "Now or Never," but because it is just Efron and Corbin Bleu singing the song without an audience (fans all around a stadium), it works. The message is wholesome as the two get to reminisce about the days when it was just the two of them against the world.
While watching Efron and Bleu run around a junkyard and do parkour is amusing, the two children who are supposed to represent them as kids come out of nowhere and completely steal the show. Their appearance reminds everyone just how important childhood friendships are when you grow up.
3 "A Night to Remember" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
The battle of the sexes returns in this upbeat and catchy number from High School Musical 3, where the girls and guys are on stage (rehearsing Ryan's musical) and going through the motions of prom night. The ladies sound more melodious as they are excited for the event, while the guys have a tinge of panic in their voices and question if they really have to go through with the night. It is cute, fun, and all too relatable if you remember your own prom night. Whoever managed to rhyme "make-up and massages" with "don't know what a corsage is" is an absolute genius.
2 "High School Musical" — High School Musical 3: Senior Year
The final song of the Disney Channel musical trilogy comes in at number two on this list for many good reasons. It perfectly closes out our beloved seniors' last year as they take the field in their graduation gowns and sing about how they should never forget where they came from. Each of the six main characters has their own couple of personalized lines that reflect on their time as a Wildcat, and it is just a catchy and iconic song.
It is fun to imagine that every actor looks genuinely happy to close out the musical chapter of their lives and work towards bigger and better things both as their character and themselves during this number.
1 "Bet on It" — High School Musical 2
Coming in at number one, Efron's best musical number in all the High School Musical films is "Bet on It" from the second film. It is Troy's "epiphany song" where he realizes he has neglected his friends, his girlfriend, and he's become someone he does not even recognize anymore. While dramatically prancing across the golf course, Efron's message within the song is wholesome, but the amount of sass he delivered on the green will forever be burned into fans' memories.
Stream all High School Musical movies on Disney+
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