High School Musical is a Leftist Masterpiece 

It was pretty amusing to see the Disney+ series openly acknowledge that even back then, no high schooler would treat a guy being interested in both sports and arts as a huge shocking thing.

*someone expressing who they are* “Is that even legal??” Republicans in 2023: “No.”

"You know what they are? DEAD. On the other hand, High School Musical lives on forever" is farrrrr too good of a hook. I need to show this to anybody who wants to hear it lmao

"Capitalism is better than the alternative" gets more and more ridiculous with each passing day.

I recently performed “Breaking Free” with another woman as a pride number with my burlesque group, and I’ll tell you all the people in their 20s with queer trauma fucking ate it up. It always felt like more of a queer allegory to me, but the real reality is that Disney were just making another product to sell all us kids on.

How can someone not click on something so bold yet so controversial

"status quo" was the song that radicalized me to communism as a child i just didn't know it yet

This feels like a high school report bullshitting themes into a movie for a good grade. I love it

Lily, I beg of you to do a leftist analysis of HSM2. it’s not even an allegory for class consciousness, the literal plot in-text is about the working class versus the bourgeois. an easy analysis that comes to mind is comparing the songs Fabulous vs. Work This Out. (plus the iconic song about bisexual awakening that is I Don’t Dance that Kenny Ortega somehow slipped past clueless Disney execs who can’t read subtext because they wouldn’t allow him to have an openly gay character. but that’s just a little treat)

One day I will will be able to express my love for Lily’s videos in words

Yep, this series was as cheesy as heck, but it had an odd sort of charm to it, with the actors clearly giving it their all.

I found it interesting that "Bop to the Top" is Latin inspired and Sharpay's part and costume lean into it. And she is contrasting herself against Gabriella Montez in what I can only call cultural appropriation of the White Liberal variety and that fits into the class narrative even more. Also, I think a good piece of media can be open to multiple interpretations and that this makes a perfect counterpoint the the Spiderverse dialogs going on currently because of the obscene amounts of intentionality that went into the crafting of that film verses the very unintentional open-ended Everyman style of production this is supposed to be. Fun video. Thx

bestie you regularly pronounce "impetus" like "impetuous" but they're different words. love the video as always!!

Mrs Darbis is the complacent middle management, theoretically still working class but close enough to power to be infected with authority

What is good about art interpretation is that being wrong is impossible. The movie is all about breaking out of the mold, so why not use it to boost up a message that needs very much that? What a fun video, take my like and subscribe!

"Be yourself" is perhaps the most common theme or moral in media aimed at kids and teens and, even in the limited and milquetoast form in which it's usually presented, conservatives sense that that message is contrary to their hierarchical, traditionalist vision of the world. They don't want you to be "be yourself" and they don't want you to accept others for being themselves, either. They want you to accept whatever traditional authority figures (parents, bosses, clergymen) prescribe for you. This is also why conservaties now seem to interpret every "be yourself" message as a queer alegory and, in a sense, they're right.

This video is actually what being a high school drama kid taught me: how to comb through a text (Hamlet, usually) and pick out enough pieces to build an interpretation around. Extremely fun exercise in media analysis that definitely helped me with some less flexible/obvious texts later in life!

There's also a point to be made that ryan and sharpays song "bop to the top" is also a case of appropriation, where they use clearly Spanish and south American influences to further themselves, and get profit (the profit being winning the audition). Also I genuinely love this video. PLEASE do one for hsm2. I'd do anything.

This video notification is what made me realize i was indeed the target audience for this channel

before I watch the video, I must share that seeing this on my feed reminded me of how Kenny Ortega got away with having an openly gay character (Ryan) and the entirety of "I Don't Dance" (an anthem of bisexual awakening) edit: wonderful video, as always! if your thesis can be supported by the text/media then it cannot be incorrect, regardless of the author's intent (although the director has confirmed multiple times that the HSM trilogy is meant to be gay as hell). the narrative of T+G refusing to be capitalist drones is definitely a new take and I love it. an English teacher once gave me a great piece of advice when it came to writing essays: if something in the text is standing out to you, and you can't figure out what it's supposed to represent, make it up! specifically, Ms. Darbus can be whoever you want her to be, as long as it fits your thesis and there's evidence in the movie to support that claim. (in my case the narrator of a short story kept offhandedly mentioning that a woman's hat was blue. there was no plot significance. I concluded that despite everything happening in that moment, the narrator couldn't help but notice such a detail, which added to the absurdity of the situation.)

embedding quotations seamlessly into your prose just like my a-level english teacher wanted me to

My favorite part is when Troy tells Gabriella "you even look like a girl".

your videos are literally my favorite content ever like the concept of this is kind of a shitpost but you make it into something genuinely educational and entertaining youre just amazing

Your ability to do this whole video DEAD FUCKING SERIOUS is frankly impressive

I genuinely think this is the only content worth watching rn, funny, smart, thought provoking, life changing even. Keep it up Lily you are an absolute champ, don't forget to look after yourself pls don't burn out we love you

I can't wait for the inevitable disney live action remake of high school musical.

i genuinely think this is the most effective title a youtube video has ever been given. i haven't been this excited to watch something in weeks

your hair gets cooler with every new video you make

Please dissect HSM2! This was really enjoyable to watch and I need more XD

We're getting outta the proletariat with this one!!! 🔥🔥🔥😎

Great video and completely agree that it could be socialist OR queer OR anything like breaking free from a mold and have nothing to add except one thing: No mention of the Wildcats' color being red as further Proof™? I was slightly dissapointed 😥

I parasocially love you Lily. You make the video essays my heart wants and needs

The best part of art is the endless forms of interpretation that are distinctly shown through individual personalities

One of my favorite genres of youtube video is ones with clickbait-y shitpost-esque titles that have me walking away feeling like i've learned a significant aspect of life.

I didn't think my love of high school musical could grow any more

Gr8 analysis, it is fun to analyze seemingly superficial/simple movies and art. I would love to see your analysis of the Descendants trilogy!!! Another Kenny Ortega masterpiece, the 1st movie is groundwork for the real work that the 2nd and 3rd do. Very silly and campy, which I think helped get the movies approved without worry of the deeper values of the films.

The high school musical movies, with all their cheesiness, are really filled with so much love and heart. You can tell they're not a simple cash grab by the network but that Kenny Ortega and everyone involved really put everything they could into them

hey Lily, your videos are like a nice, smooth latte that i savor each time

the way you incorporate song lyrics into the script so seamlessly is remarkable

We love projecting experiences of oppression onto fun quirky zac efron films here, its my favourite past time 😂 Thank you so much for all the effort you put into this work we get to enjoy!!!!

The "six heads" thumb nail was legendary. She will be missed

I'll forever be adamant in my assertion that high school musical and breaking bad take place at the same time, Albuquerque in tye late 2000's

When friends and family ask me what I do when I go home I just don’t know how to explain this is the type of content I consume

analyzing teen classics through an arbitrary lens of marxism is so good pls make more

Omg please keep it going with HSM2

"For Troy, basketball is his opiate." omg I was convinced this was worthwhile leftist analysis the moment you reminded me Sharpay exists. this is why we made the guillotine, people... anyways, I think you're right that for Troy basketball is his religion. "sports" is a religious phenomenon, imo

Opening the video i thought this was gonna discuss college opportunities and how sharpay is guaranteed and manipulates troy using the capital she owns so he can have a safe future and etc etc. It was not even close and yet i was with you the entire time

This was certainly a fun watch - I like some of the slightly different videos Also reminded me I need to reread 1984 cause it's been a minute, and I never finished the last bit

god bless the editor who managed to sync up the wildcats chant to your out of time rendition

This is brilliant! Hilarious! "is it even legal to be a socialist?" Lily, your work is true genius!

Unfortunate you didn't go into any of the HSM2-related events. Would have been a great excuse to talk about the character who's basically just pure ideology put on screen: Angie's stepson, Thaboll.

Honestly, now I want a Leftist interpretation of Dark Souls II. Undeads of Drangleic, let's shatter the chains of the curse and unite (?)

You are quickly becoming one of my favorite RU-vid creators.

Been waiting for this one 🔥🔥🔥

Hey, great video! I think saying that "in the end, HSM might be a metaphor for BASICALLY ANYTHING" kinda shows us how it is indeed a great movie by itself ^^ Even though it's a Disney movie with only straight canon couples... there has been multiple theories that make lots of sense about how Kelsie (the pianist) has a crush on Gabriela, how Chad is bissexual or how Ryan is super gay (is that even just a theory? lol) and goes to the prom with Kelsie because they're the only gays in the school... and it's fun to think about these things because, even though they're not canon, there's actually nothing "in the canon" that goes against them =) I mean, lots of shows, movies, comics and games sometimes have queer characters whose queer identity is just for a gag, just to "be inclusive", but most times people don't introduce themselves mentioning they're sexuality (unless it's a dating app situation, I guess hahah), so I think that's pretty realistic. As a socialist metaphor, it's actually pretty interesting because of they're "class differences". Gabriela only gets to go to East High because she has a scholarship or something (sorry I don't remember that well), while Troy's family is considerably wealthy (though one could also argue, for the sake of the working-people-metaphor, there's a little nepotism going on in there as well, since he is the basketball team captain/star and his father is the coach)... That is also why Sharpay sticks in her own head that they should be a great couple (let's be honest, the drama club girl would NEVER be such a queen bee in real life =P people only fear her because she's loaded). So, even though Troy's position in society is "secure", he also feels restrained and pressured (people usually remember Bet On It from HSM2, but Scream from HSM3 is a pretty heavy song about wanting to break free from a toxic situation, but being unable to), which leads him into finding "real security" in uniting with this girl who's not as wealthy... kinda like The Prince and The Pauper (which, okay, still has monarchy in the end, but it's kinda about how the rulers can only actually rule by connecting with the people). One last thing (sorry this is getting so long hahah) about when you mentioned that maybe Sharpay+Ryan being understudies at the end could represent how some people get to "be someone" even if the situation changes: this heavily reminded me of the Thenardier couple from Les Miserables (aka the "Master of the House" and his wife, who took care of Cosette when she was a child). No, I haven't read the book, but there's something I really enjoy about these characters in the musical (and, by that, I mean the stage performance, because it's not in the movie), which is that they are allegories to "this kind of people". People who always take advantage of the situation, usually doing reprimandable things just so they can be slightly better than most. It's kind of depressing that "this kind of people will always exist", but, as I mentioned, it's a metaphor. No society model is perfect and there will always be bad people around. But we gotta fight to improve the world even so.

Lily, you're amazing, honestly I'm in danger of forming a parasocial bond your sense of humour is just so relatable 😂😅

I love videos talking about and dissecting hsm, despite not being able to stand watching the movies themselves lol (My little sister was obsessed with it so, of course, I had to hate it lol)

Brilliant video, Lily! I cannot get enough of people discussing what is probably my favorite movie ever. I used to watch it every day as a kid, and it still holds up as one of the most entertaining things there is to me. Readings like this make it an even richer, more layered experience.

I've recently started to realize how weird it is that Sharpay and Ryan auditioned for the lead pair together, because they're siblings, and just from the duet they audition with, it's clear the lead pair are romantically involved. Why would you do a pairs audition for the part of a romantic couple with your sibling? Status Quo, Breaking Free, and We're All in This Together have always been my favorite high school musical songs (except when I'm watching --- when I'm watching, each song is my favorite as it plays 😅). You: ...nearly an hour... Me: what you say? *Looks at clock* omg it's 2 am 😵

Marx intensifies

Commenting for the algorithm. Love the channel.

such an interesting take on a kids' movie, you are amazing !!

9:16 this guy has seen way too many inspirational "based on a true story" sports films

Great thing to listen to! Glad you had fun with this one

FINALLY, take of the century, video essay of the year right here!!

INCREDIBLE. I love how Ms. Darbus both means everything and nothing at al!!!

Many valid points, more than anything else there are truly some bangers in this musical

You did it, you broke literary theory down to what should be the basic understanding of its meaning

This has no right making this much sense. Insanely good video, what the hell

Don’t lie, Lily. You only made this video so you could watch HSM 5 times in a row, while taking notes, without feeling guilty about it. Happens to the best of us. 😉

You NEED to make this analysis of yhe last 2 movies 😂❤

Sharpay is the bourgeoisie, Ryan is the upper middle class who think they're just like the actual billionaires, Ms Darbus is the means of productions, that were in the bourgeoisie's hands but was conquered by the proletariat

Shoutout to the brave science club fighters

This video made me sub. We love an icon re-interpreting HSM in a fun and fresh way.

Another banger from lily!!!

The music teacher is the bourgeois state.

Wake up honey, a new Lily Simpson video essay just dropped !

Lily dear, I’m always going to look like an idiot. Mid video commentary is what makes me realize how dumb I am. It’s a good constant reminder. 😊

ur vids are the best thank u for ur service

I love this channel.

Wild how the lyrics just come right back to me after all these years... but I did really love this analysis, I was excited when I saw the notification pop up on my phone and it did not disappoint!

Good video but the Ryan and Sharpay 'What I've Been Looking For' is far better and I can't be convinced otherwise.

iconic title, i adore your videos :]

First time I’ve seen my name in the Patreon section, so happy to be part of this community!

this is amazing. the content we didnt know we wanted but we totally needed

Hey lily, the ending bit did it especially for me here to tied it all together as beautifully as you did there! No I am both serious about this and this is also an intentional attempt to encourage and get other people scrolling through the comments during watching it to watch it till the end. Mostly though because it is worth it

no because the other day i re-watched HSM2 and the discourse around the working class and the capitalist system and social climbing IS THERE. that movie is an iceberg's tip for sure.

i believe the tvs in the back of ‘start of something new’ could be a reference to disney’s teen nightclub ‘videopolis’ from the 80s, where they had a hell of a lot of tv screens showing music videos which would switch to showing the crowd as well. great video!

oh we gotta see you do HSM2 next

Your hair looks great

I love your hair in this video Lily!

I saw this video title and I really wasn’t sure how you were going to pull this off. But I won’t ever doubt again.

Your hair looks great this video! (not that it looks bad in others it just looks very nice today)

My theory is that the TVs at the New Year's party represent the panopticon/surveillance state: even in this bubble of freedom, they're being watched.

Great video and points however I think we all need to agree that Sharpay and Ryan's version of What I've Been Looking For absolutely slaps and is the best version

I've been waiting for this one with bated breath

Thank you Lily💜

A video essay on a movie series i never watched. Should be fun.

7:10 ish ... : "An allegory for… Capital." **Chef's Kiss**

This is honestly my favorite video of yours. I never was interested in high school musical ever but now I not only know the plot and understand basic references to it, but also understand its leftist implications :)