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"What I've Been Looking For" is a song heard in the movie High School Musical. The song is performed twice in the film, one by siblings Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and Ryan Evans (Lucas Grabeel) and the other by Troy Bolton (voiced by Drew Seeley) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens).

The song was covered by Alyson Stoner for the compilation album DisneyMania 7 and was later featured on the Disney+ spin-off series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series and its soundtrack.

Summary[]

Originally intended to be slower by songwriter Kelsi Nielsen (Olesya Rulin) in the film, Sharpay and Ryan Evans give it a faster beat and add Broadway-type choreography to audition to East High's Winter Musical.

Later, after meeting Kelsi, Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez perform the song with her the way it was supposed to sound, convincing the initially reluctant Ms. Darbus (Alyson Reed) to give them a callback.

In the spin-off series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, the song is performed by students Nini (Olivia Rodrigo) who was cast to play Gabriella and E.J. (Matt Cornett), who stepped up as Troy's understudy. In the occasion Nini confronts E. J. about stealing her phone. He expresses his belief that she still has feelings for Ricky (Joshua Bassett). The pair argue before a blocking rehearsal, which results in a strained rendition of the song. Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders) disapproves of the cast not taking rehearsals seriously and implores for the students to resolve their personal issues.

Lyrics[]

Ryan:
It's hard to believe
That I couldn't see
Ryan & Sharpay:
You were always there beside me

Thought I was alone
With no one to hold
But you were always right beside me

Sharpay:
This feeling's like no other
Ryan & Sharpay:
I want you to know

I've never had someone
That knows me like you do
The way you do
I've never had someone
As good for me as you
No one like you
So lonely before
I finally found
What I've been looking for

Sharpay:
So good to be seen
So good to be heard
Ryan & Sharpay:
Don't have to say a word

Ryan:
For so long I was lost
So good to be found
Ryan & Sharpay:
I'm loving having you around

Ryan:
This feeling's like no other
Ryan & Sharpay:
I want you to know

That I've never had someone
That knows me like you do
The way you do
I've never had someone
As good for me as you
No one like you
So lonely before
I finally found
What I've been looking for

Do-do-do
Doot-do-do-do-doot-do
Oh-woah-oh-oh-ohoh

Doot-do-do-do
Doot-do-do-do-doot-do
Oh-woah-oh-oh-ohoh

Troy:
It's hard to believe
That I couldn't see
You were always there beside me

Gabriella:
Thought I was alone
With no one to hold
Troy and Gabriella:
But you were always right beside me

This feeling's like no other
I want you to know

That I've never had someone
That knows me like you do
The way you do
And I've never had someone
As good for me as you
No one like you

So lonely before
I finally found
What I've been looking for

Gabriella:
Ooh...

E.J.:
It's hard to believe
That I couldn't see
You were always there beside me

Nini:
Thought I was alone
With no one to hold
But you were always right beside me

Nini & E.J.:
This feeling's like no other
I want you to know

I've never had someone
That knows me like you do
The way you do
I've never had someone
As good for me as you
No one like you
So lonely before
I finally found
What I've been looking for

Nini:
Do-do-do
Doot-do-do-do-doot-do
Oh-woah-oh-oh-ohoh

Doot-do-do-do
Doot-do-do-do-doot-do
Oh-woah-oh-oh-ohoh

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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