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"Stick to the Status Quo" is the fifth song in High School Musical and on the movie soundtrack.

Background[]

Stick to the Status Quo is the consequence of Troy altering the fabric of East High by auditioning for the school musical. Due to Troy’s social clout, several of his peers are inspired to publicly embrace their own secret passions. Zeke, a member of the basketball team, reveals that he loves baking, Martha, a "brainiac", reveals that she loves to dance, and a skater, nicknamed "Ripper", reveals that he plays the cello. Each of these revelations are met with anger and/or shock by most of the students, who are uncomfortable with the fact that the norms are being disrupted. Troy is absent throughout the entire scene.

Sharpay and Ryan are among those who are upset with the changes at East High, presumably due to the fact that Troy and Gabriella are challenging them for the leads in the play. For that reason, it is in their best interests to "get things back where they belong." At the end of the song, while Gabriella attempts to make her way through the crowded lunch room, she slips on a spilled milk puddle on the floor and her nachos go flying in the air and land on Sharpay's shirt, causing her to scream, and Gabriella apologizes and cleans her off, making everyone laugh.

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1: Zeke & Ensemble]
You can bet there's nothin' but net
When I am in a zone and on a roll
But I got a confession, my own secret obsession
And it's making me lose control
Everybody gather 'round

[Interlude: Zeke, Chad & Ensemble]
Well, if Troy can tell his secret, then I can tell mine
I bake
What?
I love to bake
Strudels, scones, even apple pandowdy
Not another sound
Someday, I hope to make the perfect crême brûlée

[Chorus: Ensemble]
No, no, no, no
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
If you wanna be cool, follow one simple rule
Don't mess with the flow, no, no
Stick to the status quo

[Verse 2: Martha & Ensemble]
Look at me and what do you see?
Intelligence beyond compare
But, inside, I am stirring, something strange is occurring
It's a secret I need to share
Open up, dig way down deep

[Interlude: Martha, Brainiac & Ensemble]
Hip hop is my passion
I love to pop and lock and jam and break
Is that even legal?
Not another peep
It's just dancing
Sometimes, I think it's cooler than homework

[Chorus: Ensemble]
No, no, no, no
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
It is better by far to keep things as they are
Don't mess with the flow, no, no
Stick to the status quo

[Verse 3: Skater #1 & Ensemble]
Listen well, I'm ready to tell
About a need that I cannot deny
Dude, there's no explanation for this awesome sensation
But I'm ready to let it fly
Speak your mind and you'll be heard

[Interlude: Skater #1, Skater #2 & Ensemble]
Alright, if Troy wants to be a singer, then I'm comin' clean
I play the cello
Awesome, what is it?
A saw?
No, dude, it's like a giant violin
Not another word
Do you have to wear a costume?
Coat and tie

[Chorus: Ensemble]
No, no, no, no
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
If you wanna be cool, follow one simple rule
Don't mess with the flow, no, no
Stick to the status quo, oh
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know
It is better by far to keep things as they are
Don't mess with the flow, no, no
Stick to the status quo

[Verse 4: Sharpay, Ryan & Both]
This is not what I want
This is not what I planned
And I just gotta say
I do not understand
Something is really—
Something's not right
Really wrong
And we gotta get things back where they belong

[Verse 5: Sharpay & Ryan, Skater #1, then Martha, then Zeke, Ensemble]
We can do it
Gotta play
Stick with what you know
We can do it
Hip hop, hooray
She has got to go
We can do it
Crême brûlée
Keep your voice down low
Not another peep, no
Not another word, no
Not another sound, no

[Interlude: Sharpay, Gabriella & Taylor]
Everybody, quiet
Why is everybody staring at you?
Not me, you
Because of the callbacks?
I can't have people staring at me, I really can't

[Chorus: Ensemble]
No
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know (Stick to the stuff you know)
If you wanna be cool, follow one simple rule
Don't mess with the flow, no, no
Stick to the status quo, oh
No, no, no
Stick to the stuff you know (Stick to the stuff you know)
It is better by far to keep things as they are
Don't mess with the flow, no, no
Stick to the status—
Stick to the status—
Stick to the status quo

Trivia[]

  • Dutch Whitlock, who played Ripper, the skater who said, "I play the cello!" was arrested for robbing a pizzeria.
  • The High School Musical franchise did not plan for Martha to be a recurring character in the sequels, but she was met with such a great reception in Status Quo that they were left with no choice.
  • Julia Lester has referred to this song as the "essential High School Musical song."
Songs:
Start of Something New - Get'cha Head in the Game -
What I've Been Looking For - What I've Been Looking For (Reprise) - Cellular Fusion -
Stick to the Status Quo - Counting On You - When There Was Me and You - Start of Something New (Reprise) -
Bop to the Top - Breaking Free - We're All In This Together - I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You
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