"Breaking Free" is a song originally from High School Musical that is sung by Olivia Rodrigo as Nini Salazar-Roberts, Joshua Bassett as Ricky Bowen and Matt Cornett as E.J. Caswell in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Summary[]
In the show, 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[]
[Verse 1: Matt Cornett, Olivia Rodrigo, Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett]
We're soarin', flying
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If we're tryin', so we're breakin' free
You know the world can see us
In a way that different than who we are
Creating space between us, 'til we're seperate hearts
But your faith, it gives me strength
Strength to believe
[Chorus 1: Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Both]
We're breakin' free
We're soarin', flyin'
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If we're tryin', yeah, we're breakin' free
Oh, we're breakin' free! Ooh-Wooah
[Bridge: Joshua Bassett, Olivia Rodrigo, Both]
More than hope, more than faith
This is truth, this is fate
And together we see it coming
More than you, more than me
Not a want, but a need
Both of us, breaking free!
[Verse 2: Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Both]
Soarin', flyin'
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If we're tryin', yeah, we're breakin' free (Breaking free)
[Verse 3: Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Both]
We're runnin', ooh climbin'
To get to the place to be all that we can be (Be)
Now's the time (Now's the time)
So we're breakin' free (Oh, we're breakin' free), ooh
[Outro: Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett]
You know the world can see us
In a way that’s different than who we are