Breaking Free – English Lyrics

• By: Troy, Gabriella
• Album: High School Musical

Lyrics & Translation

Unlock the magic of English through "Breaking Free," the iconic song from High School Musical. Its empowering lyrics about overcoming obstacles and embracing individuality offer a fantastic way to grasp conversational English, idiomatic expressions related to personal growth, and the emotional nuances of a pop ballad. The clear delivery and relatable themes make it a perfect, engaging tool for language learners.

[English]

♪

♪♪

♪♪♪

♪ We're soarin', flying ♪

♪ There's not a star in heaven ♪

♪ That we can't reach ♪

♪ If we're tryin' ♪

♪ So we're breakin' free ♪

♪ You know the world can see us ♪

♪ In a way that's different than who we are ♪

♪ Creating space between us ♪

♪ Till we're separate hearts ♪

♪ But your faith, it gives me strength ♪

♪ Strength to believe ♪

♪ We're breakin' free ♪

♪ Flyin' ♪

[together] ♪ There's not a star in heaven ♪

♪ That we can't reach ♪

♪ If we're tryin' ♪

♪ Yeah, we're breaking free ♪

♪ Oh, we're breakin' free ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Can you feel it building? ♪

♪ Like a wave the ocean just can't control ♪

♪ Connected by a feelin' ♪

♪ Oh, in our very souls ♪

♪ Very souls, ooh ♪

♪ Rising till it lifts us up ♪

♪ So everyone can see ♪

♪ We're breaking free ♪

♪ We're soarin' ♪

♪ Flyin' ♪

♪ There's not a star in heaven ♪

♪ That we can't reach ♪

♪ If we're tryin' ♪

♪ Yeah, we're breakin' free ♪

♪ Oh, we're breakin' free ♪

♪ Oh, runnin' ♪

♪ Climbin' ♪

♪ To get to that place ♪

♪ To be all that we can be ♪

[Troy] ♪ Now's the time ♪

♪ So we're breaking free ♪

♪ We're breakin' free ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ More than hope ♪

♪ More than faith ♪

[Gabriella] ♪ This is truth ♪

♪ This is fate ♪

♪ And together ♪

♪ We see it comin' ♪

♪ More than you, more than me ♪

[Gabriella] ♪ Not a want, but a need ♪

[together] ♪ Both of us breakin' free ♪

♪ Soarin' ♪

♪ Flyin' ♪

[together] ♪ There's not a star in heaven ♪

♪ That we can't reach ♪

♪ If we're tryin' ♪

♪ Yeah, we're breakin' free ♪

♪ Breakin' free ♪

♪ We're runnin' ♪

♪ Ooh, climbin' ♪

♪ To get to the place ♪

♪ To be all that we can be ♪

♪ Now's the time ♪

[Troy] ♪ Now's the time, yeah ♪

♪ So we're breakin' free ♪

♪ Oh, we're breakin' free ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ You know the world can see us ♪

♪ In a way that's different ♪

♪ Than who we are ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
soar /sɔːr/ B1	verb - to fly or rise high in the air
fly /flaɪ/ A1	verb - to move through the air using wings
star /stɑːr/ A1	noun - a celestial body that shines in the night sky
reach /riːtʃ/ A2	verb - to stretch out an arm to touch or grasp something
try /traɪ/ A1	verb - to make an attempt or effort to do something
break /breɪk/ A2	verb - to separate into pieces or to interrupt
strength /strɛŋkθ/ B1	noun - the quality or state of being strong
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - to accept something as true
feel /fiːl/ A1	verb - to perceive or experience an emotion or sensation
ocean /ˈoʊʃən/ A2	noun - a large body of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface
place /pleɪs/ A1	noun - a particular position or point in space
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - a point of time as measured in hours and minutes
hope /hoʊp/ A2	noun - a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
truth /truːθ/ B2	noun - the quality or state of being in accordance with fact or reality
fate /feɪt/ B2	noun - the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power

Key Grammar Structures

• We're soarin', flying

  ➔ Present Continuous (progressive) used for emphasis on current activity

  ➔ The use of "soarin'" and "flying" as shortened forms of "soaring" and "flying" emphasizes the feeling of freedom and ongoing movement. The 're indicates "we are."

• There's not a star in heaven That we can't reach

  ➔ Relative Clause with a negative conditional

  ➔ The phrase "That we can't reach" is a relative clause describing "star". The negative "can't" indicates that there isn't a star that they are unable to reach, implying they can reach any star.

• If we're tryin'

  ➔ Conditional Clause (Type 1/Real conditional) - shortened form

  ➔ This is a shortened version of "If we are trying". It's a type 1 conditional, implying that if they make an effort, they can achieve their goals.

• You know the world can see us In a way that's different than who we are

  ➔ Relative Clause ("that's different than who we are") + Modal Verb ("can see")

  ➔ The relative clause "that's different than who we are" modifies "way," explaining how the world sees them. "Can see" indicates ability or possibility.

• Till we're separate hearts

  ➔ Subordinating Conjunction "Till" indicating time leading up to a specific event/state

  ➔ "Till" indicates the duration until the point where they become "separate hearts." It shows the progression toward that state.

• But your faith, it gives me strength

  ➔ Subject-Verb Agreement + Pronoun Reference

  ➔ "Faith" is singular, so "gives" is used. "It" refers back to "your faith."

• Can you feel it building? Like a wave the ocean just can't control

  ➔ Modal Verb (Can) + Present Participle (building) + Simile (Like a wave...)

  ➔ "Can you feel...?" is a question using a modal verb to inquire about someone's ability to sense something. "Building" is the present participle, describing the ongoing process. The simile compares the feeling to an uncontrollable wave.