Season 3 of High School Musical The Musical The Series just wrapped, and it brought a lot of change to the series. To begin with, this season took place at Camp Shallow Lake, not East High, which distanced the characters from their HSM identities. In addition, many characters chose not to attend the summer camp, which meant fans had to quickly adjust to the absence of some of their favorite characters as well as the addition of new ones. Altogether, however, the season continued the amplification of Disney musicals for nostalgia’s sake, with some relationship drama and coming-of-age crises thrown in.
Season 3 blended High School Musical 2, Camp Rock, and the camp’s summer musical, Frozen, to tell a new story about the Wildcats. The love triangle between Gina, E.J., and Ricky continued, while new characters brought conflicts of their own. As usual, these tensions were best represented in song. Between the covers and the original compositions, season 3 brought fans 23 new songs, including several that are worth listening to beyond the show itself.
Fabulous
HSTMTS may be a fun show full of nostalgia, but the students’ over-identification with the High School Musical series is incredibly cringeworthy. Their rendition of “Fabulous,” with movie-accurate choreography, is the perfect example of this. But if fans have gotten to season three, they probably enjoy that cringe factor, at least a little bit.
The song is a great fit for Carlos and Kourtney, as both are major divas, and their recreation of the song is nothing short of iconic, especially since it aired on the 15th anniversary of High School Musical 2‘s release.
What Time Is It / Start the Party Mashup
Gina, E.J., Ashlyn, Kourtney, And Carlos, Season 3, Episode 1, “Happy Campers”
The first two seasons were strictly bound by the idea of a group of students putting on a musical, but the context changed in season three. The mashup of High School Musical 2‘s “What Time Is It?” and Camp Rock‘s “Start The Party” helped make that transition more natural, since both teen movies focus on summer vacation.
In addition to helping launch season three, this is just a fun song that highlights the major players in season three. Using a similar set-up to James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke, the Wildcats singing and dancing and taking parts is an authentic look at how theatre kids get when they’re all put together. The drama fades away, and everybody just has fun.
You Never Know
Nini, Season 3, Episode 2, “Into The Unknown”
One of the biggest changes coming to HSMTMTS is Olivia Rodriguez’s exit as Nini. Thankfully, she got a fitting sense of closure through her conversations with Miss Jenn in the finale and her original song “You Never Know” from episode 2.
The song does a great job showcasing Nini’s growth throughout the show in a way that makes her move to California feel natural. She has been changing a lot since putting herself out there as a major star, and the song stages her departure as a move to bigger and better things. In addition, it’s a perfect song for the mixture of terror and excitement that comes from taking risks and embracing adulthood, themes that many viewers could resonate with.
It’s On
Season 3 Cast, Season 3, Episode 6, “Color War”
The original songs in HSMTMTS have the opportunity to give the characters a voice in their own stories, but the covers are a lot of fun—for both the fans and the cast. “It’s On” is one of the best examples of this.
No matter what struggles they are going through, everybody is finally just having fun. The song is perfect for the overall competitive spirit of Color Wars, but it’s also a chance for the actors to show off and the characters to do what they love to do. For anyone who relates to dramatic Disney karaoke nights, “It’s On” brings that energy to a somewhat serious season of High School Musical The Musical The Series.
Rising
Ashlyn, Season 3, Episode 3, “The Woman in the Woods”
Ashlyn consistently has some of the strongest solos in the series, and “Rising” is no exception. The song uses astrology as its central metaphor while talking about the importance of self-exploration. Her journey from seeing herself as a stock character to thinking of herself as a dynamic, powerful individual is inspiring.
There are still relatively few LGBT+ characters on teen television and fewer who get to explore how their sexuality fits into their larger understanding of themselves. This song captures that arc perfectly and lets fans know that change can be a good thing, even when it’s hard to acknowledge.
What Do You Know About Love?
Gina And Ricky, Season 3, Episode 5, “The Real Campers of Shallow Lake”
Gina uses this song to get back at E.J. by flirting with Ricky, and as much as that reaction might be childish, it made one very impressive song. “What Do You Know About Love?” is originally from the Broadway version of Frozen, so many viewers got to experience it like an original song, which worked to the show’s advantage.
For anyone who doesn’t know the original version, Gina and Ricky have made the definitive version of the song, with Gina’s passion and Ricky’s uncertainty merging beautifully. Their chemistry is electric, and their vocals take it to the next level.
Here I Come
Kourtney, Season 3, Episode 7, “Camp Prom”
While most of season 3 focused on Gina’s relationship drama and Maddox and Jet’s reconciliation, Kourtney got the most powerful arc of the whole show. From the starting prayer of “You’re Not Alone” to the fighting and climbing imagery in the chorus, “Here I Come” is an anthem for anybody struggling to take risks and grow when their anxiety tries to hold them back.
The song means even more because singer and actress Dara Reneé co-wrote the anthem herself. She explained to Billboard, “This song is about my thought process during an anxiety attack and how I push to overcome it.” Knowing how personal the song just makes the words that much more impactful, knowing the singer truly understands and believes them.
Everyday
Full Season 3 Cast, Season 3, Episode 8, “Let You Go”
After all the chaos and drama of Camp Shallow Lake, everybody comes together in the end, led by Corbin Bleu and Ms. Jenn, to sing “Everyday.” When it comes down to it, this song represents everything amazing about High School Musical The Musical The Series. It’s full of nostalgia, great vocals, and theatre kids coming together to love and support each other.
The song is full of meaning at the moment, but it’s also a love letter to fans of the original, who get to see the real-life Chad Danforth singing an HSM song all these years later. The season 3 finale was incredible, and this song captures all of it in just two minutes.
Right Place
Jet, Season 3, Episode 5, “The Real Campers of Shallow Lake”
Jet and Maddox’s relationship became a major part of season three, and seeing Jet get vulnerable in “Right Place” really helped draw the audience in. Whether it’s estranged siblings or friends, most people have someone in their life that they lost despite their best intentions, and this song is great for that situation with or without the show as context.
Adding to all of that, Adrian Lyles is just a fantastic singer. His version of “The First Time In Forever” blew everyone away, but this song has the heart behind it to leave a serious impression on audiences long after watching.
Let It Go
Kourtney, Season 3, Episode 8, “Let You Go”
While Kourtney had a breakthrough that seemed to free her from her anxiety in the penultimate episode of season 3, it returned as she prepared to perform Frozen‘s most iconic number. This was incredibly realistic and relatable for those who have anxiety, and created the perfect build-up for her to blow everyone away with her rendition of “Let It Go.”
Things went wrong, which is the worst thing that could happen for someone who is already anxious. However, Kourtney was able to continue with the support of her friends. It was the most powerful moment in the season, and Dara Reneé’s version of the song is bound to give fans chills every time they listen to it.
