Ranking Every 'High School Musical' Song: Our Top Picks

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Disney Channel made history with the first High School Musical. Back then, the film became the highest-viewed premiere for a Disney Channel Original Movie ever — that is, until High School Musical 2. The first installment introduced the world to Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens), Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale), and the rest of the Wildcats at East High School. Subsequently, Efron, Hudgens, and Tisdale all became fresh-faced stars set to take over pop culture as the film reached Disney blockbuster status. Of course, the charm behind High School Musical had just as much to do with its bright soundtrack filled with songs that sounded more radio-friendly than your average show tunes. With lyrics about honoring your true self and sing-along-ready choruses, the music became just as classic as the movie itself — even beyond the world of Mickey Mouse. The High School Musical soundtrack bopped all the way to the top of the Billboard 200. It also helps that director-choreographer Kenny Ortega made sure each number came with equally memorable dance moves that would’ve dominated TikTok if it existed back then. Two decades later, those tracks still hit with all the brightness they did on the first watch. As High School Musical celebrates its 20th anniversary, Rolling Stone ranked every song featured in the first movie.