Gabriella said it best. On August 17, 2007, during the long-awaited premiere of "High School Musical 2," our middle school selves were slapped in the face – and not just by her new haircut. In what should’ve been a romantic, moonlit scene on an inessential country-club bridge between our favorite onscreen couple, Gabriella shattered our dreams when she told Troy she was leaving. As much as it tugged at our heartstrings, we were all shaking our heads with a silent “who could blame her?” by this point in the plot.
If you need a little refresher:
But as expected, the issue was resolved by the time the tearjerker “Everyday” came on, and we all bubbled over with happiness and relief.
What was not expected, though, was the extent to which Gabriella’s cathartic bridge ballad would impact us for so long afterward. Even if you don’t think you think about it, the lyrics are still sounding inside you. This line-by-line analysis will convince you of its haunting significance“Gotta Go My Own Way” describes more than you giving your boyfriend back the necklace with his first initial; it is also your fragmented friendships, your move away from home, your move back home, your decision to transfer schools, your seeking a new job or just that general decision to change your path for the better with the acceptance of how hard it is and how much you must leave behind. These lyrics are that conversation of finally telling someone you’re going through with it, along with the thoughts that are simultaneously racing through your head throughout.
Hey Troy
That’s it, that’s the start. If you can get these first words out, you can do this.
I gotta say what’s on my mind. Something about us, doesn’t seem right these days
The testing of the waters. The abstract statement to make sure you get his/her attention, whether he/she is a significant other, a friend, a boss or the worst: yourself.
Life keeps getting in the way. Whenever we try, somehow the plan is always rearranged
The realization that whatever you’re doing just shouldn’t be this hard; it’s not fair.
It’s so hard to say, but I’ve gotta do what’s best for me. You’ll be okay
Back to the abstract statements that you hope they don’t realize don’t make sense.
CHORUS: I’ve got to move on and be who I am. I just don’t belong here, I hope you understand. We might find our place in this world someday. But at least for now, I gotta go my own way
NO GOING BACK NOW. YOU PUT IT ALL ON THE TABLE. THAT’S IT, THERE IT IS, KEEP GOING.
Don’t wanna leave it all behind. But I get my hopes up, and I watch them fall every time
The classic need to over-explain yourself when you’ve already said everything you’re obligated to say.
Another color turns to grey. And it’s just too hard to watch it all slowly fade away
More rambling you don’t mean to say so you just hope they’ll get confused enough not to argue with you.
I’m leaving today. ‘Cause I gotta do what’s best for me. You’ll be okay
Restating your confidence to reassure them, but really it’s to reassure yourself.
CHORUS AGAIN
YOU’RE SAYING THIS AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS YOUR BEST POINT AND IT SOUNDED THE BEST COMING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.
TROY: What about us? What about everything we’ve been through?
No, no, no, this was all carefully planned, don’t let them make it a conversation. Quick, think of a response.
GABRIELLA: What about trust?
Good job. Don’t let them make you feel bad.
TROY: You know I never wanted to hurt you
Ugh, should you just stay? No, quick, think of something else. Stay strong.
GABRIELLA: And what about me?
Okay, not the best, but at least you said something. And it’s true; this is about you now.
TROY: What am I supposed to do?
But, no. You have to put yourself first.
GABRIELLA: I gotta leave but I’ll miss you
Good summary. Clear and concise.
[CHORUS x2 but with Troy’s devastated interjections]
This is that part of the conversation where you raise your voice and you both talk over each other so it seems like it’s important and climactic but really afterward you can’t remember what you said. It was probably just more of the same stuff you’ve already said.
I gotta go my own way…I gotta go my own way…
You did it. The conversation is over. And you’re just repeating the last thing you said for dramatic emphasis. It’s the only thing you can really remember, and that’s okay.
If you’ve had this sort of experience, then the discomfort is all too familiar and painful to relive. But it’s gotten you to where you are now, hasn’t it? And if you have had the fortune of not having this conversation, chances are that you’re thinking of a reason you need to. So what’s stopping you? Channel your inner Gabriella and move forward. Cut your hair, give back the necklace and run out to the minivan waiting to pick you up. It can only go up from here.
