View source for What I've Been Looking For

{{Short description|2006 song from High School Musical}}
{{use American English|date=July 2014}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name     = What I've Been Looking For
| cover    =
| alt      =
| type     =
| artist   = [[Ashley Tisdale]] and [[Lucas Grabeel]]
| album    = [[High School Musical (soundtrack)|High School Musical]]
| released = 2006
| recorded = 2005
| studio   =
| venue    =
| genre    = [[Teen pop]]
| length   = 2:04
| label    = [[Walt Disney Records|Walt Disney]]
| writer   = Andy Dodd and [[Adam Watts (musician)|Adam Watts]]
| producer = Andy Dodd and Adam Watts
| misc     = 
}}
{{Infobox song
| name     = What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)
| cover    =
| alt      =
| type     =
| artist   = [[Zac Efron]]{{efn|Efron is credited but his vocals were mixed with those of [[Drew Seeley]].<ref name=rolling/>}} and [[Vanessa Hudgens]]
| album    = High School Musical
| released = 2006
| recorded = 2005
| studio   =
| venue    =
| genre    = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| length   = 1:20
| label    = Walt Disney
| writer   = Andy Dodd and Adam Watts
| producer = Andy Dodd and Adam Watts
| misc     = 
}}

"'''What I've Been Looking For'''" is a song from the [[Disney Channel Original Movie]] ''[[High School Musical]]'' (2006). The song was written and [[record producer|produced]] by Andy Dodd and [[Adam Watts (musician)|Adam Watts]], and it was included on the [[High School Musical (soundtrack)|film soundtrack of the same name]]. [[Ashley Tisdale]] and [[Lucas Grabeel]] sing it in a [[uptempo|fast tempo]]. A [[reprise]] version, titled "'''What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)'''" was also recorded, but in a slow tempo. It is credited to be performed by [[Zac Efron]] and [[Vanessa Hudgens]], although Efron’s vocals were mixed with those of [[Drew Seeley]].<ref name=rolling/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds36958.html |last1=Green |first1=Kris |last2=Wilkes |first2=Neil |title=High School Musical |website=[[Digital Spy]] |date=2006-09-21 |access-date=2007-01-21 |quote=To set the record straight, the majority of what is sung in the movie is definitely sung by someone else. His name is Drew Seeley |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118013949/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds36958.html |archive-date=2006-11-18 }}</ref>

"What I've Been Looking For" received positive reviews by music critics, being compared to [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical performances. It peaked at number 35 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart and at number 34 on the [[Pop 100|''Billboard'' Pop 100]]. Meanwhile, the reprise version peaked at number 67 and number 54, respectively on the same charts. The Spanish-language version of the soundtrack included a [[Cover (music)|cover version]] by Mexican [[synthpop]] group [[Belanova]], titled "Eres Tú", and the Brazilian group Ludov covered it for the Brazilian version of the soundtrack, titled as "O Que Eu Procurava".

==Composition==
"What I've Been Looking For" was written and [[Record producer|produced]] by [[Andy Dodd]] and [[Adam Watts (musician)|Adam Watts]].<ref name=sheet>{{cite AV media notes|title=What I've Been Looking For By Lucas Grabeel Digital Sheet Music |type=Digital download |publisher=Musicnotes.com. [[Hal Leonard Corporation]]|id=MN0056949}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Ashley+Tisdale+%26+Lucas+Grabeel&titel=What+I%27ve+Been+Looking+For&cat=s|title=Ashley Tisdale & Lucas Grabeel - What I've Been Looking For|publisher=Hung Medien|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> According to its music sheet, it was composed using [[Time signature|common time]] in the [[Key (music)|key]] of [[A major]], with a [[tempo]] of 142 [[beats per minute]].<ref name=sheet/> It is a [[teen pop]] song built on the [[chord progression]] A–D–A/C♯–Bm7–E, and it was written in the common [[verse–chorus form]].<ref name=sheet/> [[Ashley Tisdale]] and [[Lucas Grabeel]], acting as the siblings [[Sharpay Evans|Sharpay]] and [[List of High School Musical characters#Ryan Evans|Ryan Evans]], perform the song in the [[Disney Channel Original Movie]] ''[[High School Musical]]'' (2006).<ref name=hsmitunes>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/high-school-musical/129994303|title=High School Musical – Various Artists|publisher=[[iTunes Store]] (US). [[Apple Inc.]]|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> Grabeel's vocals span from [[A (musical note)|A<sub>3</sub>]] to the note [[F♯ (musical note)|F♯<sub>5</sub>]].<ref name=sheet/>

A [[reprise]] version of "What I've Been Looking For" was also composed and credited to be sung by [[Zac Efron]] and [[Vanessa Hudgens]], performing as [[Troy Bolton]] and [[Gabriella Montez]].<ref name=hsmitunes/> Later, it was revealed that Efron's singing voice was mixed with that of [[Drew Seeley]].<ref name=rolling>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/zac-efron/biography|title=Zac Efron – Biography|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=Wenner Media, LLC|access-date=July 28, 2014|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924175343/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/zac-efron/biography|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://okmagazine.com/uncategorized/ok-interview-drew-seeley/|title=OK! Interview: Drew Seeley|work=[[OK!]]|publisher=[[Northern & Shell]]|date=September 30, 2008|access-date=July 28, 2014|first=Laura|last=Lane}}</ref><!-- Needs a reliable source: This version "features a calm-piano that drifts throughout the song".<ref name=sputnikmusic/> Needs a reliable source: The piano part, played underneath the vocals, is used in both tracks, the only difference is a faster tempo, which "gives it a more 'bubbly' feeling". A chant-along is also featured in this version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/9183/High-School-Musical-High-School-Musical/|title=High School Musical - High School Musical (album review ) - Sputnikmusic|access-date=September 10, 2014}}</ref>-->

==Promotion==
[[File:Vanessa Hudgens and Drew Seeley 10.jpg|thumb|180px|Hudgens and Seeley performing "What I've Been Looking For (Reprise)" during a [[High School Musical: The Concert]] show|alt=A man and a woman sing on a stage. They stay closer while each hold a microphone.She wears a blue dress while he wears a blue T-shirt with gray jeans.|left]]
In ''[[High School Musical]]'', "What I've Been Looking For" was composed by [[Kelsi Nielsen]] (portrayed by [[Olesya Rulin]]). Sharpay and Ryan Evans sing an [[uptempo]] version of the song as their audition song for a role in the East High's upcoming winter musical ''Twinkle Towne''. During the audition, the Evans dance and sing on stage. Later, Gabriella Montez tries to audition but Ms. Darbus ([[Alyson Reed]]) tells Gabriella she lacks of a co-singer, so Troy Bolton offers himself. Then, Ms. Darbus explains them it is too late to audition. As Kelsi leaves, she drops her [[music sheet]]s so Troy and Gabrielle help her. Kelsi then asks them to sing her song, in which Kelsi plays in the [[piano]]. A hidden Ms. Darbus listens to it, and then offers them a "callback audition".<ref name=hsm>{{cite AV media |year=2006 |title= High School Musical |medium=Motion picture |format=[[DVD]] |url=https://movies.disney.com/high-school-musical |location=[[Utah]], United States |publisher=[[Disney Channel]]}}</ref>

"What I've Been Looking For" and its reprise version were included on the setlist for the ''High School Musical'' live cast concert, titled [[High School Musical: The Concert]], and both versions were included in its [[live album|live]] [[High School Musical: The Concert#Broadcasts and recordings|album]] (2007).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/high-school-musical-the-concert-mw0001963991|publisher=[[AllMusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]]|access-date=July 28, 2014|title=High School Musical Cast – High School Musical: The Concert}}</ref> Seeley replaced Efron's character during the shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/55954/zac-efron-seventeen-and-counting|title=Zac Efron Seventeen and Counting|first=Natalie|last=Finn|publisher=[[E!]]. [[NBCUniversal]]|date=August 17, 2007|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> "What I've Been Looking For" was also included in the video game ''[[High School Musical: Sing It!]]'' (2007).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/06/high-school-musical-sing-it|title=High School Musical: Sing It!|first=Greg|last=Miller|date=November 5, 2007|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref>

In 2006, the song was [[Cover (music)|covered]] by Mexican [[synthpop]] band [[Belanova]] for the Spanish-language version of ''High School Musical'', titled "Eres Tú".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noroeste.com.mx/publicaciones.php?id=191451|title=Vuelve Belanova al 'High school'|language=es|work=Noroeste|publisher=Editorial Noroeste, S.A. de C.V|date=July 31, 2006|access-date=July 28, 2014|archive-date=July 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729054822/http://www.noroeste.com.mx/publicaciones.php?id=191451|url-status=dead}}</ref> Brazilian group Ludov also covered the song, their version was titled "O Que Eu Procurava".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Musica/0,,AA1381915-7085,00-LUDOV+TRADUZ+SUCESSO+DE+FURACAO+ADOLESCENTE+DA+TV.html|language=pt|date=December 10, 2006|title=Ludov Traduz Sucesso de Furacão Adolescente da TV|publisher=G1. [[Rede Globo]]|location=[[São Paulo]]|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> During the filming of the commercials for the DVD ''High School Musical: Encore Edition'', eighth grader from Exeter Township Junior High School Samantha Sostak and her sister performed the song with cast member Corbin Bleu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=20060523&id=DfohAAAAIBAJ&pg=1528,4715417|title=Disney trips delights star-struck sisters|work=[[Reading Eagle]]|date=May 24, 2006|first=Angela|last=Haupt|access-date=September 10, 2014}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
"What I've Been Looking For" received positive reviews from music critics. Heather Phares wrote for [[AllMusic]] the song "flirts with satire" in its usage in the film because "[Sharpay and Ryan are] threatened by these upstarts from other cliques invading their territory", in reference of Troy and Gabriella's performance. Phares considered its melody "so bright" and Tisdale and Grabeel's vocals "so relentlessly cheery, it sounds like a parody of a show tune".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/high-school-musical-mw0000260633|title=High School Musical Cast – High School Musical|first=Heather|last=Phares|access-date=July 28, 2014|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation}}</ref> A writer for Talkin' Broadway echoed this view, describing the song as "a clever parody of Broadway styles".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/chicago/ch138.html|title=Talkin' Broadway Regional News & Reviews &ndash; "High School Musical on Tour" &ndash; 8/4/07|publisher=TalkinBroadway.com, Inc|access-date=September 10, 2014|first=John|last=Olson}}</ref> Chris Willman, for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', compared the song with "[[You Are The Music In Me]]", a song included in the sequel ''[[High School Musical 2]]''. He wrote "both an earnest Troy/Gabriella duet and an insincere (but more fun) showstopper for self-absorbed Sharpay".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20609141_20049668,00.html|title=High School Musical 2 (2007)|first=Chris|last=Willman|date=August 6, 2007|access-date=July 28, 2014|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Time Inc.|Time Inc]]|archive-date=July 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729044523/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20609141_20049668,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A reviewer for [[Common Sense Media]] highlighted the track.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/music-reviews/high-school-musical-soundtrack|title=High School Musical Soundtrack|publisher=[[Common Sense Media]]|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> Commenting on the reprise, DVD Verdict said it "is a little soft".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/highschoolmusical.php|title=DVD Verdict Review - High School Musical: Encore Edition|publisher=DVD Verdict|access-date=September 10, 2014|date=July 16, 2006|first=Mike|last=Pinsky}}</ref> The [[Christian Broadcasting Network]] offered a spiritual analysis of the song: "[it is] a great opportunity to look at who God is and His character, including the fact that He's always with us."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/books/Wildcats.aspx|title=Learning from 'High School Musical'|publisher=[[Christian Broadcasting Network]] |access-date=September 10, 2014|first1=Steve|last1=Russo|first2=Gabi|last2=Russo}}</ref>

==Chart performance==
[[File:Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel 8.jpg|right|thumb|Tisdale and Grabeel performing the song live.|alt=A man and a woman are singing on stage. They hold a microphone with their left hand, and snap thei fingers with the right hand. She wears a white dress with dark spots while he wears a green shirt, black jeans and a beret.]]
In the United States, "What I've Been Looking For" peaked at number 35 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and 34 on the [[Pop 100]] chart. The song was eventually [[List of music recording certifications|certified]] as gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]].<ref name="riaa"/> The reprise version appeared in the same charts, reaching the numbers 67 and 54, respectively.<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/high-school-musical-mw0000260633/awards|title=High School Musical Cast – High School Musical|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, "What I've Been Looking For" debuted and peaked at number 155 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name=uk>{{cite journal |title=The Official UK Singles Chart for the week ending January 13, 2007 |journal=[[UKChartsPlus|ChartsPlus]] |issue=281 |page=3 |publisher=IQ Ware Ltd |location=[[Milton Keynes]]}}</ref>

==Charts and certifications==
===Weekly charts===
{{col-begin|width=75%}}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Chart (2006–07)
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
|-
!scope="row"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK2007.HTM | title= Chart Log UK – Chart Coverage and Record Sales 2007 | publisher=zobbel.de | work=[[UK Singles Chart]] | access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref>
| align="center"|155
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|35|artist=Ashley Tisdale|access-date=June 24, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Pop 100]] ([[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']])<ref name="Pop100">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-hQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA90|title=Issue date February 11, 2006|date=February 11, 2006|author=Billboard|author-link=Billboard (magazine)|publisher= [[Prometheus Global Media]]|accessdate=May 17, 2024}}</ref>
|align="center"|34
|}

{{col-2}}

===Certifications===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Soundtrack|title=Been Looking For|award=Gold|relyear=2006|certyear=2006|digital=true|access-date=June 22, 2024|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true}}

{{col-end}}

===Reprise version===
====Weekly charts====
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Chart (2006)
! scope="col"| Peak<br>position
|-
{{singlechart|Billboardhot100|67|artist=Vanessa Hudgens|access-date=June 24, 2024|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Pop 100]] ([[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']])<ref name="Pop100"/>
|align="center"|54
|}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
*{{YouTube|7Q5B8FzRKYU|"What I've Been Looking For"}}

{{High School Musical}}
{{Vanessa Hudgens}}
{{Ashley Tisdale}}
{{Belanova}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2006 songs]]
[[Category:Ashley Tisdale songs]]
[[Category:Lucas Grabeel songs]]
[[Category:Songs from High School Musical (franchise)]]
[[Category:Vanessa Hudgens songs]]
[[Category:Zac Efron songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Adam Watts (musician)]]
[[Category:Songs written by Andy Dodd]]
[[Category:Male–female vocal duets]]