"What I've Been Looking For" is the third song heard in the movie High School Musical and on the movie soundtrack. It's also the song that Sharpay and Ryan sing for their audition for the musical Twinkle Towne.
On the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, the song is re-interpreted by Olivia Rodrigo as Nini Salazar-Roberts and Matt Cornett as E.J. Caswell, on the fourth episode of the first season of the show.
Bakground[]
The song was released on November 27, 2019, soon after the release of the fourth episode of the series. There are two versions of the song, the one they did live on the scene of the show, and the studio version that was released on all streaming platforms. The studio version is longer, having 2:05 minutes of lenght compared to 1:17 minutes on the series version.
Summary[]
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[]
[Verse 1: Matt Cornett, Olivia Rodrigo]
It's hard to believe that I couldn't see
You were always there beside me
Thought I was alone, with no one to hold
But you were always there beside me
This feeling's like no other
I want you to know
[Chorus: Both, Olivia Rodrigo]
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, ha, what I've been looking for
[Verse 2: Olivia Rodrigo, Matt Cornett, Both]
Ha, so good to be seen, so good to be heard
Don't have to say a word
For so long I was lost, so good to be found
Hmm, I'm loving having you around
This feeling's like no other
I want you to know
[Chorus: Both, Olivia Rodrigo]
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, gee, I finally found what I've been looking for
[Outro: Both, Olivia Rodrigo]
Do-do-do, do-do do-do-do-do, wo-o-o-oah
Do-do-do, do-do-do-do-do-do, wo-o-o-oah
Mmm-mmm