"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[]
