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"Breaking Free" is one of the hit singles from the movie, High School Musical. It is performed by Troy Bolton (voiced by Drew Seeley and partially by Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens).

The song was covered by the band Little Sea on the Australian compilation album We Love Disney and was later featured on the Disney+ spin-off series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and its soundtrack.

It also has many versions recorded all over the world. In the "High School Musical Around the World" version, music videos were shown off in many different nationalities.

It has a cover for Chibi Tiny Tales, sung by Matt Cornett recounting the film.

Summary[]

This is the climax song in the movie, performed by Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) as their final callback. It takes place on the main stage of East High in front of the entire student body. At first, Gabriella has stage fright, then Troy tells her to remember "like kindergarten". They do an amazing performance and land the roles of Arnold and Minnie, to the disdain of Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and Ryan (Lucas Grabeel).

In the spin-off series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, the song is performed by Nini Salazar-Roberts (Olivia Rodrigo) in the role of Gabriella and by Ricky Bowen (Joshua Bassett) and briefly by E.J. Caswell (Matt Cornett) both in the role of Troy during the end of the second act of the school production of High School Musical. It appears in the last episode of season one, "Act Two".

E. J. begins to play the role of Troy for act two, while Ricky confronts his mother about bringing her new partner, Todd, to the show. Gina encourages Ricky to at least watch the rest of the production, but once inside, he witnesses E. J. step aside from his role to allow Nini and Ricky to finish the performance together. Gina (Sofia Wylie) acknowledges and thanks E. J. for purchasing the plane ticket which allowed her to return. This version of the song also appears as part of The Medley, The Mash-Up.

Lyrics[]

Troy:
We're soarin', flyin'
There's not a star in heaven
That we can't reach
Gabriella:
If we're trying
So we're breaking free

Troy:
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
Gabriella:
Creating space between us
'Till we're separate hearts

Troy & Gabriella:
But your faith, it gives me strength
Strength to believe
Troy: We're breakin' free

Gabriella: We're soarin'
Troy: Flyin'
Troy & Gabriella:
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
Troy: If we're trying
Troy & Gabriella:
Yeah, we're breaking free
Troy: Oh, we're breakin' free
Gabriella: Ohhh

Troy:
Can you feel it building
Like a wave the ocean just can't control
Gabriella:
Connected by a feeling
Ooh, in our very souls
Troy:
Very souls, ooh

Troy & Gabriella:
Rising 'till it lifts us up
So every one can see
Troy: We're breakin' free

Gabriella: We're soarin'
Troy: Flyin'
Troy & Gabriella:
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
Troy: If we're trying
Troy & Gabriella:
Yeah, we're breaking free
Troy: Oh, we're breakin' free
Gabriella: Ohhh

Gabriella: Runnin'
Troy: Climbin'
To get to that place to
Troy & Gabriella:
Be all that we can be
Troy: Now's the time
Troy & Gabriella:
So we're breaking free
Troy: We're breaking free
Gabriella: Ooh, yeah

Troy:
More than hope
More than faith
Gabriella:
This is true
This is fate
And together
Troy & Gabriella:
We see it comin'

Troy:
More than you
More than me
Gabriella:
Not a want
But a need
Troy & Gabriella:
Both of us
Breakin' free!

Gabriella: Soarin'
Troy: Flyin'
Troy & Gabriella:
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If we're trying
Troy: Yeah, we're breaking free
Gabriella: Breaking free

We’re runnin'
Troy: Ohhh, climbin'
Troy & Gabriella:
To get to the place
To be all that we can be
Now's the time
Troy: Now's the time
Gabriella: So we're breaking free
Troy: Ohhh, we're breaking free
Gabriella: Ooh

Troy & Gabriella:
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are

E.J.:
We're soarin', flyin'
There's not a star in heaven
That we can't reach
If we're tryin'
So we're breakin' free

Nini:
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
Creating space between us
'Till we're separate hearts

Nini & Ricky:
But your faith, it gives me strength
Strength to believe
Nini: We're breakin' free

Ricky: We're soarin'
Nini: Flyin'
Nini & Ricky:
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
Nini: If we're tryin'
Nini & Ricky:
Yeah, we're breakin' free
Nini: Oh, we're breakin' free
Ricky: Ooh, yeah

Ricky:
More than hope
More than faith
Nini:
This is true
This is fate
And together
Nini & Ricky:
We see it comin'

Ricky:
More than you
More than me
Nini:
Not a want
But a need
Nini & Ricky:
Both of us
Breakin' free!

Nini: Soarin'
Ricky: Flyin'
Nini & Ricky:
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If we're trying
Ricky: Yeah, we're breaking free
Nini: Breaking free

We’re runnin'
Ricky: Ohhh, climbin'
Nini & Ricky:
To get to the place
To be all that we can be (Ricky: be)
Now's the time
Ricky: Now's the time
Nini: So we're breaking free
Ricky: Ohhh, we're breaking free
Nini: Ooh

Nini & Ricky:
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are

Troy Bolton and Gabriella
Met at a ski lodge party on New Years' Eve
He plays basketball, she does decathlon
But like, for science and math.

Deep down, they both want to sing out
They inadvertently try out for the school play
Ms. Darbus offers a callback
That really ticks off Sharpay
We'll come back to her later.

Now, everyone at school's inspired
to follow all their dreams

Then, Chad and Taylor say no, no, no
Stay in your lane, yeah, stick to the status quo
Then, they hatch a scheme to make Troy talk trash
How did he not see that webcam?

Gab gives up on the callback
Subsequently, Troy's basketball game's all off
They make up, but Sharpay tells Mr. Darbus to schedule (inhales)
The callback at the same time as the basketball championship and scholastic decathlon

But through hacking the gym's power
And some weird chemistry,

They make the callback, get cast as leads
Even though Sharpay arguably earned it more
Wildcats win their game, then, they sing and dance
We're all in this together!

Trivia[]

  • This, along with Start of Something New, are the only two songs in the first film where Zac sings partially; Drew Seeley does the majority of Troy's singing.
    • Unlike the latter song, where Zac sings the opening and closing lines, Breaking Free has Zac sing only the first two sentences.

Videos[]


v - e - d
High School Musical Logo
Media
Films: High School MusicalHigh School Musical 2High School Musical 3: Senior YearSharpay's Fabulous Adventure

TV Series: High School Musical: Get in the PictureHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Video games: Sing It!Sing It! 3Sing ItDisney Sing It: Pop HitsDisney Sing It: Party HitsDisney Sing It: Family Hits
Music: High School Musical (Soundtrack)High School Musical 2 (soundtrack)High School Musical 3: Senior Year (soundtrack)Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure (soundtrack)High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (soundtrack)High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (season 2 soundtrack)High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (season 3 soundtrack)High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (season 4 soundtrack)High School Musical: The ConcertHigh School Musical Hits RemixedHigh School Musical 2: Non-Stop Dance PartyHigh School Musical: Be MineHigh School Musical: The CollectionHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special (soundtrack)Music from High School Musical (Original Score)

Characters
HSM: Troy BoltonGabriella MontezSharpay EvansRyan EvansChad DanforthTaylor McKessieKelsi NielsenZeke BaylorJason CrossMartha CoxMs. DarbusJack BoltonMrs. MontezLucille BoltonPrincipal Matsui

HSM2: Thomas FultonVance EvansDarby EvansBoiThe Sharpettes
HSM3: Tiara GoldJimmy ZaraDonnie DionCharlie DanforthMrs. Danforth
SFA: Peyton LeverettRoger EllistonTiffani DestinAmber Lee AdamsGill SammsNeal RobertsBerry TaylorMr. GonzalesMrs. Gonzalez
HSMTMTS: Ricky BowenNini Salazar-RobertsE.J. CaswellGina PorterAshlyn CaswellBig RedKourtney GreeneCarlos RodriguezSeb Matthew-SmithMiss JennMr. MazzaraNatalie BagleyMike BowenCarol Salazar-RobertsDana Salazar-Roberts • Malou • Principal Gutierrez • Lynne BowenTerri Porter • Emily Pratt • Kalyani Patel • Zack RoyLilyHowieAntoineCash Caswell Michelle GreeneJackJamie PorterJetMaddoxChanningDewey WoodAlexEmmy • Marvin • Val • Madison • DaniMack Alana • Krystal • Quinn Robbins • Harper

Locations
East High School • Bolton Household • Mountain Ski Resort • Lava Springs • Stanford University
Songs
HSM: Start of Something NewGet'cha Head in the GameWhat I've Been Looking For + (Reprise) • Stick to the Status QuoWhen There Was Me and YouBop to the TopBreaking FreeWe're All in This TogetherI Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

HSM2: What Time Is It?FabulousWork This OutYou Are The Music in Me + (Reprise) • Humuhumunukunukuapua'aI Don't DanceGotta Go My Own WayBet On ItEverydayAll for One
HSM3: Now or NeverRight Here, Right NowI Want It AllCan I Have This DanceA Night to RememberJust Wanna Be with YouThe Boys are BackWalk AwayScreamSenior Year Spring MusicalHigh School MusicalJust Getting Started
SFA: Gonna ShineMy Boi and Me + (My Girl and Me) • Walking on SunshineBabyNew York's Best Kept SecretThe Rest of My Life
HSMTMTS (season 1): I Think I Kinda, You KnowWonderingA Billion SorrysAll I WantBorn to Be BraveTruth, Justice and Songs in Our KeyOut of the OldRole of a LifetimeJust for a MomentThe Medley, The Mash-Up
HSMTM (holiday special): This Christmas (Hang all the Mistletoe)The Perfect GiftFeliz NavidadHanukkah MedleyLast ChristmasWhite ChristmasLittle Saint NickBelieveWhat Are You Doin' on New Year's Eve?RiverSomething in the AirThat's Christmas to MeChristmas (Baby Please Come Home)
HSMTMTS (season 2): Something in the AirThe Perfect GiftHigh School Musical 2 MedleyBelle1-2-3YAC Alma MaterBeauty and the BeastEven When/The Best PartRed Means LoveGrantedA Dancer's HeartThe ClimbHomeThe Rose SongAround YouThe Mob SongGastonIf I Can't Love HerLet You GoYou Ain't Seen Nothin'In a Heartbeat

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