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"What I've Been Looking For" received positive reviews by music critics, being compared to Broadway musical performances. It peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number 34 on the 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 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".
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 sheets 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".
"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 livealbum (2007). Seeley replaced Efron's character during the shows. "What I've Been Looking For" was also included in the video game High School Musical: Sing It! (2007).
In 2006, the song was covered by Mexican synthpop band Belanova for the Spanish-language version of High School Musical, titled "Eres Tú". Brazilian group Ludov also covered the song, their version was titled "O Que Eu Procurava". 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.
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 " 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". A writer for Talkin' Broadway echoed this view, describing the song as "a clever parody of Broadway styles". 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". A reviewer for Common Sense Media highlighted the track. Commenting on the reprise, DVD Verdict said it "is a little soft". The Christian Broadcasting Network offered a spiritual analysis of the song: " a great opportunity to look at who God is and His character, including the fact that He's always with us."
Chart performance
Tisdale and Grabeel performing the song live.
In the United States, "What I've Been Looking For" peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 34 on the Pop 100 chart. The song was eventually certified as gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The reprise version appeared in the same charts, reaching the numbers 67 and 54, respectively. In the United Kingdom, "What I've Been Looking For" debuted and peaked at number 155 on the UK Singles Chart.
Green, Kris; Wilkes, Neil (September 21, 2006). "High School Musical". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved January 21, 2007. 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
^ What I've Been Looking For By Lucas Grabeel Digital Sheet Music (Digital download). Musicnotes.com. Hal Leonard Corporation. MN0056949.
