High School Musical
List Price:
Our Price: $9.99
You Save: $2.99 (23%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Composer: David LawrenceEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language)
Format: Soundtrack
CD Release Date: 2006-01-10
Music Label: Walt Disney Records
Accessories: Soundtracks:
- Start Of Something New
- Get'cha Head In The Game
- What I've Been Looking For
- What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)
- Stick To The Status Quo
- When There Was Me And You
- Bop To The Top
- Breaking Free
- We're All In This Together
- I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
- Get'cha Head In The Game - B5
- Start Of Something New (Karaoke Instrumental)
- Breaking Free (Karaoke Instrumental)
Music reviews of High School Musical
Music Review: A Good Soundtrack Overall, Even Without Seeing the Movie (3.5 Stars)
Rating: 3 Stars
What separates a good soundtrack from the many lacklustre ones is its ability to stand alone, apart from the movie or television show it was originally a part of. In general, this works better if the songs themselves progress through a sort of storyline, rather than just being a collection of fairly random songs that happened to be used sometime throughout the show/movie. In the case of High School Musical, the songs fare even better when separated from the rather trite film. While the movie was decent, it was by no means exceptional. It was a bit too typical in places, although the majority of the songs were extremely well-done. Looking back after seeing the film and listening to the soundtrack, my initial complaint that if they were going to do a musical, they should have picked actors who can actually sing doesn't really hold up. The actors all do a decent job, which ends up fitting well with the storyline of high school students auditioning for a musical, as it is rare that there would be more than one or two truly exceptional singers in a typical public high school.
Anyone who has seen the movie already will be familiar with the storyline, and anyone who has not probably would not be listening to this album, so a plot summary is a bit pointless. Just to sum up however, the film is about a basketball star and a "nerdy" girl who sing karaoke together over the summer, but separate before they can really talk. They later find they go to the same school, and together decide to audition for leads in the school play, despite stage fright, biases from friends, and a brother-and-sister duo of students who are determined to star in this musical, as they have already starred in all the other productions in that school. Predictably, the two main characters fall for each other, and end up breaking down the barriers between the different cliques in the school. The film itself is cheesy, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The album begins with "The Start of Something New", which was the karaoke song performed in the film by the two stars, Troy and Gabriela. This song is far too polished for a supposed karaoke performance, but nonetheless it sounds great. The song doubles as an introduction to the budding attraction between the two characters. It's a nice opener, but far from the best material the soundtrack has to offer. "Getch'a Head In The Game" irritates slightly on the soundtrack due to the sounds of whistles, squeaking shoes, and dribbling basketballs. Other than that, it is a great song that really sums up Troy's character: a basketball star who's interest in music is beginning to distract him from his game. "What I've Been Looking For" is an overly cheerful version of the audition song from the film, and serves as an introduction to the other main characters of the film, Sharpay and her brother, Ryan. This is one song that fares much better in the film itself, as it really needs the dancing that goes along with it to make it as great. It's decent on its own, but better as a part of the movie.
"What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)" fares much better, since it is, as said in the movie, "how the song is supposed to sound". This song features the characters Troy and Gabriela singing together for the first time since their karaoke performance that summer, and have excellent vocal chemistry. This really should have been made into a full song. "Stick To The Status Quo" is a funny song that features members of different cliques telling their friends about their "unusual" interests, and their friends telling them to stick to what they know. This song really sums up the high school clique mentality, in which people have to change themselves to fit in with their friends, and does so in an extremely entertaining way. Ashley Tisdale (who plays Sharpay) has some great vocals here. "When There Was Me And You" is easily the best song in the movie. It's a slower song that has Gabriela describing her feelings about Troy after he seems to have betrayed her. This is the best vocal performance she has, and lyrically it is easily the best song in the entire movie. This is one song that sounds great with or without the visuals that go along with it in the scene.
"Bop To the Top" is a fairly average, upbeat song that again needs the dancing that goes along with it. This was the song performed by Sharpay and Ryan as their performance for the call-backs, and while it sounds fine on it's own, it only seems really great when coupled with their energetic dancing. This song did prove to me however that Ashley Tisdale did have at least a decent voice, however. "Breaking Free" on the other hand is another truly exceptional song that stands out among all the tracks here. Troy and Gabriela once again have excellent vocal chemistry, although I do not like Troy's tone in places. The lyrics are quite beautiful as well. This song is easily a favourite, and is one of the ones that is truly memorable without merely calling back images of the scene it features in. "We're All In This Together" comes across as mostly filler, both in the movie and on the soundtrack. It is an incredibly cheesy song that features all the characters singing after they'd learned to work together to help Troy and Gabriela. It sounds fine, but is a bit too cheesy for my tastes. The whistle sound effects, and cheerleading-style in places gets on my nerves.
"I Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a definite highlight, and wasn't even featured in the film. This track was a music video offered as a bonus feature on the DVD, which is too bad as it was better than several of the songs in the film itself. That's not say those songs were bad, just that this one was on a whole other level. This song has some of the best vocals, and sweet lyrics. It is also very catchy, and probably should have been featured in the film itself. Nonetheless, it is an excellent addition to the soundtrack. "Get'cha Head In the Game" reappears, this time sung by pop group B5. The vocals are a bit better, but that is to be expected seeing as these are professional singers, and not teenaged actors. Unfortunaltey, this song has the same annoyances as the original version: whistle sound effects, squeaking sneakers, and the sounds of basketballs dribbling. Nonetheless, this version is somewhat more enjoyable, and a welcome addition. Finally, there are the instrumental tracks for "Start of Something New" and "Breaking Free". These were probably not really necessary to the soundtrack as a whole, but seeing as they are beautiful songs it is interesting seeing how they sound without the singing.
Overall Mark: 3.5/5
The best thing about this soundtrack is that the songs together tell the storyline adequately so that it's not absolutely necessary to see the film to know what's going on. The entire album is catchy, well-sung, and for the most part memorable. The only issues arise when a couple of songs lose some of their appeal by using irritating sound effects ("Get'cha Head in the Game"), or do not fare quite so well without the dancing that goes along with it (both of Sharpay and Ryan's songs). Nevertheless, this soundtrack overall is well-done, and would definitely be enjoyable for it's target audience.
Description of High School Musical
While on a family New Year's vacation, shy brainiac Gabriella meets high-school basketball star Troy. During a karaoke contest at the teen party, they discover their love for singing... and an interest in each other. But will they be able to break out of their "expected" cliques and discover new interests and talents within themselves? Find out... in High School Musical! Starring Ashley Tisdale from Disney Channel's original TV series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Zac Efron from the WB's Summerland. Soundtrack features all-new music performed by the cast of the movie plus a bonus track by one of today's hottest teen R&B music groups, B5! CD also includes two instrumental tracks for karaoke fun!Broadway & Vocalists CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Broadway & Vocalists CDs
George Shearing, Mel Torme - Elegant EveningSHEARING,G/TORME,M; Release date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $6.39
Price in other shops:
Stan Getz - Spring Is HereRelease date: 1993-01-11; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Rosemary Clooney - Girl SingerRelease date: 1999-04-01; Music CD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
The Blenders - NogRelease date: 1998-10-20; Music CD
Best price: $8.77
Price in other shops:
Brave Combo, Tiny Tim - GirlTIM,TINY/BRAVE COMB; Release date: 1996-03-19; Music CD
Best price: $15.07
Price in other shops:
Belleville a Cappella Choir - Southern Journey, Vol. 11: Honor The Lamb - The Belleville A Cappella ChoirRelease date: 1998-02-10; Music CD
Best price: $83.93
Diane Schuur - Love SongsRelease date: 1993-05-11; Music CD
Best price: $4.25
Price in other shops:
![Love Is the Thing [Vinyl] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
Nat King Cole - Love Is the Thing [Vinyl]Release date: 1996-11-19; Music CD
Best price: $169.99
Linda Ronstadt - Linda Ronstadt: Greatest HitsRelease date: 1998-01-13; Music CD
Best price: $19.99
Price in other shops:
Buddy Rich, Sammy Davis Jr - Sounds of 66Release date: 1996-09-17; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Camp Rock (Extended Rock Star Edition)Camp; Release date: 2008-08-19; DVD
Best price: $4.59
Price in other shops:
Camp Rock 2: The Final JamRelease date: 2010-08-10; Music CD
Best price: $4.41
Price in other shops:
High School Musical 1-3Release date: 2009-02-17; DVD
Best price: $34.94
Price in other shops:
Camp RockCamp; Release date: 2008-06-17; Music CD
Best price: $4.49
Price in other shops:
High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Single-Disc Theatrical Version)Mix Max Clip High School musical 2 Digital Blue; Release date: 2009-02-17; DVD
Best price: $2.45
Price in other shops:
High School Musical 2 (Extended Edition)Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2007-12-11; DVD
Best price: $3.75
Price in other shops:
High School Musical (Encore Edition)Buena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2006-05-23; DVD
Best price: $5.30
Price in other shops:
Soundtrack - High School Musical 3: Senior YearVARIOUS; Release date: 2008-10-21; Music CD
Best price: $2.92
Price in other shops:
High School Musical 2VARIOUS; Release date: 2007-08-14; Music CD
Best price: $2.28
Price in other shops:
![High School Musical [2-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack] Image](/images/High-School-Musical-2-Disc-Special-Edition-Soundtrack-B000F8DT5A-X.jpg)
High School Musical [2-Disc Special Edition Soundtrack]VARIOUS; Release date: 2006-05-23; Music CD
Best price: $1.75
Price in other shops: