With the Season 2 finale ofHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesairing this Friday, some big questions still loom. Will the Wildcats beat North High and win the Menkie? Will EJ (Matt Cornett) and Gina (Sofia Wylie) finally get their risotto? Will Big Red (Larry Saperstein) make it through the show without losing whatever is left of his lunch? While we wait, I present an (almost) complete ranking of the Season 2 songs so far. Buckle up, Wildcats, because you may or may not disagree.
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25. YAC Alma Mater (Glee Club Version)
The official Youth Actors’ Conservatory (YAC) anthem is as dreary as YAC’s muted black and blue aesthetic and as stiff as Nini’s (Olivia Rodrigo) stuffy professor who puts her on vocal rest for sprinkling some much-needed pizazz into her class assignment. It is no wonder why Nini felt homesick for her East High Wildcats. YAC may have been a big opportunity for Nini had she stayed, but it likely would have stifled her creativity and crushed her exuberant spirit. Once a wildcat, always a wildcat.
24. YAC Alma Mater (Nini Version)
Nini’s short, sweet, and simple ukulele version of the YAC Alma Mater is much more pleasing to the ear than the original, but even Olivia Rodrigo’s dreamy voice can’t quite save this one.
23. Mob Song
The East High and North High thespians definitely deserve brownie points for attempting to transformBeauty and the Beast’s “Mob Song” into a dance track with a sick beat. This club remix version of a theatrical Disney classic is the perfect accompaniment to a good old-fashioned dance-off between the Wildcats and the Hornets, but it’s not as much fun to listen to on its own. (And let the record show that even though no official winner was declared, no one can compete with Gina’s flawless dance moves.)
22. Around You
Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders) has caught the eye of more than one admirer this season, but unfortunately our favorite drama teacher still holds a torch for Zack Roy (Derek Hough), the director of North High’s production ofBeauty and the Beastand her former high school boyfriend. The competing directors go head to head in a flirtatious performance of the original song “Around You.” But like their short-lived romance 15 years ago, Miss Jenn and Zack’s romantic revival ends on a sour note when Miss Jenn learns that Zack was the one who stole their Beast mask in an attempt to sabotage their chance at winning the Menkie award.
21. Red Means Love
Ever since Big Red sent Ashlyn (Julia Lester) the world’s most massive bouquet on opening night last season, Ashlyn and Big Red have become one of East High’s sweetest couples. So, it is only natural that their original Valentine’s number “Red Means Love” is pure, candy-coated fluff. The performance of “Red Means Love” rolls during the credits of the “Valentine’s Day” episode, a cute callback to Ashlyn and Big Red’s first kiss in the credits of the Season 1 finale.
20. Bet On It
Ah, “Bet On It.” AHigh School Musical 2original, this infamous Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) number lives in the hearts, minds, and memes of millennials everywhere. Ricky (Joshua Bassett) had big shoes to fill when he sang his rendition of “Bet On It” in Season 2, and his commitment to learning Troy’s iconic dance moves一and the show’s cheeky self awareness as towhythose moves are now iconic一made us wish we could have seen him perform the number in its entirety. Bassett’s voice is definitely on par with Efron’s and “Bet On It” is a classic Disney Channel jam, but the reason this isn’t ranked higher is simply becausethe remixed composition of the song just doesn’t do the original justice.
19. Granted
It feels sacrilegious to rank an Olivia Rodrigo song so low in 2021, especially the first Nini solo of the season. “Granted” is a good song that reflects Nini’s struggle to maintain her identity in a school that seems dead set on stifling creativity and passion, but in a season jam-packed with amazing original songs, “Granted” feels a little generic for a powerhouse like Nini. Nini shines brightest in sweeping ballads that show off her vocal prowess (think Season 1’s “All I Want” and Season 2’s “The Rose Song”). “Granted” is catchy, but it doesn’t shine as bright as Nini.
18. Something There
Every moment that Ashlyn takes the stage this season is a reminder that Belle is the role she was born to play. Ashlyn is a dream as the iconic Disney princess, and “Something There” captures her brilliance and beauty, both inside and out. Ricky has a lovely voice, but it doesn’t quite capture the depth of Beast’s emotional journey in the same way. That being said, this performance hinting at the budding romance between Beast and Belle is a delight to watch, especially with Kourtney (Dara Reneé), Carlos (Frankie A. Rodriguez), Seb (Joe Serafini), and Gina as the charming Mrs. Potts, Lumière, Chip, and Babette the Feather Duster.
17. Gaston
East High’s performance of “Gaston” is full of energy and impressive choreography, particularly for a high school production. What makes it extra special, however, is that it perfectly captures EJ and Big Red’s growth from Season 1. Last season, Big Red was not exactly on board with getting sucked into the theater department (“Did I just join a cult?"). A few months later, he is stealing the stage as LeFou, Gaston’s goofy sidekick. EJ is also perfectly cast as Gaston, right down to the smug, over-the-top “look at me” wink, and it is wonderful to see EJ in a role he actuallyearnedand deserves this season.
16. If I Can’t Love Her
It was a major blow for Kourtney when it was revealed her new beau Howie (Roman Banks) is in fact playing the part of Beast at North High. Lucky for us, however, it gave us the gorgeous gift that is “If I Can’t Love Her.” Howie’s version of thisBeauty and the Beastoriginal is wonderful and rich一a rare moment where someone other than an East High Wildcat takes the spotlight. Hopefully this means we will be seeing (and hearing) more from Howie in the future.
