Top 20 Memorable Graduation Songs

This song is a powerful anthem about embracing all life experiences, the highs and the lows. According to singer and co-songwriter Ryan Tedder, the track was written with Robin Williams’ character from “Dead Poets Society” in mind. Indeed, the lyrics speak of taking chances and facing fears, resilience and growth, and staying true to yourself. The group acknowledges that life doesn’t come without its complications and hurdles. But one day, you’ll look back, and despite the hardships, you’ll want to feel like you made every second count. Alternatively, “Good Life” captures the grad’s emotional mix - excitement, a sprinkle of fear, and endless hope for new adventures and connections.

As graduation rolls around, let’s rewind. Remember the laughter, the late-night study sessions, the friendships made? Now, picture yourself stepping onto that stage, greeted by the cheers of your classmates and shaking the hands of the teachers who inspired you. Would any of this have been possible without their unwavering support and guidance? This country-pop song celebrates achievements and milestones and how we’ve grown alongside them. When that special day finally comes, you’ll walk across that stage wearing your mortarboard like a crown. Prefer your nostalgia with a tinge of poignancy? “Never Grow Up” is a sweet choice about longing for the familiarity of the past while moving toward the future.

This song is tailor-made for graduation; It’s right there in the title! Anyway, as that time of year nears, you and your friends probably often find yourself steering to conversations about the memories you made and the people you met along the way, who, one way or another, impacted your life. You might even find yourselves guessing where everyone might end up 10, 20, or even 50 years from now. The song reminds us to see this time in our lives like a memory capsule. Someday, we’ll look back on it, but we shouldn’t get stuck in it. The number borrows its chorus from another catchy graduation-worthy tune that deserves to be celebrated in its own right.

With your school days coming to a close, have you found yourself scrolling through old photos and remembering the good times? Your favorite hangout spots? The antics you’d get up to? Maybe even where you had your first kiss? It’s great that it’s so easy for us to capture these memories with just a press of a button these days, isn’t it? The song admits that even though life has to move on, it’s never easy to say goodbye. We can totally imagine it being played over a montage of photos during a graduation ceremony. One day, you’ll even look back at those pictures; hopefully, they’ll make you laugh.

Graduation signifies the brink of realizing our dreams, poised to step into our world. This song mirrors this sentiment. You’ve already proven that when times get tough, you can rise up stronger than ever. So, you’ve got to live in the now, own who you are, and make the most of every single moment. Graduation isn’t just about getting a piece of paper; it’s about stepping into your future with confidence and embracing every opportunity with open arms. So, as you celebrate this milepost, remember that this is your moment to create the life you’ve always dreamed of. It’s the time of your life, so make it count!

This song is about wanting to impact the world meaningfully and leave behind a positive legacy. Okay, so we can’t all be Beyoncé, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find our own ways to leave our “footprints on the sands of time.” It’s a reminder that school is only the beginning and that it’s very likely that our best and most rewarding days are still ahead of us. Also, at this point, we still have a lifetime to chase our dreams, unlock our utmost potential, and be the change we want to see in the world. Don’t forget each of us has the power to shape how we want to be remembered.

“Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” by Baz Luhrmann is not your typical song. It's a spoken-word piece inspired by an essay mixed with a remastered take of Rozalla’s “Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good).” It's a love letter to living life to the fullest. A reminder to cherish every moment, embrace your youth with wild abandon, and not sweat the small stuff. It tells us to be kind to others and to ourselves and to remember when to take criticism with a grain of salt. Ultimately, it encourages graduates to approach life with resilience, humor, and self-awareness. In a nutshell, go live your life; don't let life live you.

As the final countdown to graduation ticks away, every senior finds themselves slipping on their graduation goggles, tinted with the rosiest shades of sentimentality. Suddenly, those crowded hallways feel like a warm hug; the cafeteria lunch tastes like a meal at a Michelin-star restaurant, and that endless pile of homework is like escaping into a good book. Okay, maybe not that far, but you get what we mean. Just the thought of venturing into the vast unknown makes you long for the things that once drove you up the wall. This song frames the good and bad times, allowing you to keep them near your heart as you embark on a new adventure.

This is it. You made it! As you walk across that stage, diploma in hand, know that your dreams are now within reach. We can almost feel the emotions welling up in the room, the parents’ pride, and the teachers’ bittersweet smiles as they watch their students take this monumental step forward. Indeed, this song is about wishing someone the best in everything they set out to do. As you start a new life phase, let the song’s message drive you forward, facing life with courage and grabbing every opportunity it presents. Allow it to be your guide, reminding you to keep dancing through whatever comes your way.

Let’s face it: the journey to graduation is anything but easy. With endless deadlines, late-night study sessions, and a barrage of exams, your inner critic may have told you you’d never make it. But look, that patience and hard work paid off because here you are! Now, straighten up your cap and gown, take that big sigh of relief, and remember who got you here. You. Apparently, Post Malone and his team got the idea for this song while watching the 2016 Rio Olympics. Indeed, getting to graduation can feel like a hurdle-filled marathon. This song celebrates the joy of achievement, the moment when you can proudly say, “I made it!”

Sometimes, we’re in such a rush to grow up or hit that next milestone that we forget to stop and really appreciate what we have at the moment. This is one of those times when graduation goggles come in handy because we can pause and take stock of this time in our lives for at least the song's duration. At the same time, knowing it’s coming to an end and that there’s no going back can hit like a ton of bricks. In the blink of an eye, life can pass you by, and you’ll yearn for those days when you were sat with your friends in the cafeteria, laughing over some mystery meat.

Although this song, on the surface level, is about closing time at a bar, apparently, Dan Wilson wrote it about his impending fatherhood. Yet it works in this context, too. Let’s replace the bar with a school; graduation is basically the metaphorical last-call bell. As it rings, you make the most of what time you have left before heading on out to the real world. This song places greater focus on the future and the anticipation of what’s to come, which is highly relatable to anyone going through such a momentous life change. Sure, it may be closing time now, but when one day sets, another one begins.

When you’re in school, you’re just starting to figure out who you are and laying the foundation for who you’ll become. “Unwritten” captures this journey of self-discovery and empowerment that comes with this significant milepost. It encourages graduates to embrace individuality, take risks, and boldly step forward. Think of it like this: from now on, we’re the authors of our own stories, shaping our lives and making things happen. This song is like a burst of energy and optimism, echoing the excitement of this new chapter in our lives. Sure, there might be some plot twists along the way, but remember, the rest is still unwritten.

This song is about perseverance, resilience, and overcoming obstacles to achieve your goals. If that doesn’t define the high school experience, then we don’t know what does! It reminds us that the journey matters just as much as the destination. Graduation may mark the end of one chapter, but the adventure continues. Sure, the road ahead won’t always be smooth, but that only makes you stronger. What matters is that when life knocks you down, you don’t let it keep you there. Keep going at your own pace and enjoy the experience. If you need a rest from “The Climb,” “I’ll Always Remember You” is also an excellent choice for such an occasion.

Thinking of adding this song to your graduation playlist? Best not to delve too deeply into its influences. Still, you know what’s unique about graduations? It’s that whirlwind of excitement for what lies ahead and a twinge of sadness bidding farewell to the past. Change can feel scary, something that anyone getting ready to graduate may feel. We all want to cling to what we know, but life’s all about moving forward. So, let’s take what we’ve learned and dive into what’s next. Sure, staying “Forever Young” sounds nice, but growing up opens new doors. So, let’s welcome the journey, celebrate the memories, and look ahead to all that’s waiting for us.

We’ve offered you endless songs about treasuring the past and leaping into the future. However, what about the present? You’re young; it’s a very special time when you get to go out, try new experiences, and just make the most of it all. This song celebrates the wildest of nights where things may get a bit out of hand, yet with your closest friends by your side; everything feels just right. Even if you leave some memories at the bottom of a bottle (whoops!), as long as you’re together, it’s all good! The period of youthful confidence bordering on arrogance, where you feel invincible, is shorter than you realize— enjoy it while you can.

In “The Breakfast Club,” Brian famously asks. Sure, he’s just asking about Monday, but it’s a sentiment many of us feel as graduation looms ever nearer. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of new beginnings that we end up leaving behind the familiar faces we’ve known for so long. Looking around at our classmates, we can’t help but wonder: Will we stay friends? Will they just be someone who calls our name as we walk on by? Or will we drift apart, forgetting each other altogether? While the song doesn’t give us answers, it leaves us hopeful that the bonds forged during this shared experience will always leave us somewhat connected.

This song was specially created for the 2015 film “Furious 7” soundtrack as a heartfelt homage to the late actor Paul Walker. Its themes of the importance of friendship and family hit close to home, especially as we mark this pivotal moment of graduation. It allows us to reflect on our journey and how far we’ve come, striking a chord with anyone who’s preparing to cross that graduation stage. At its core, it’s a celebration of the connections we’ve built and the strides we’ve taken. Despite its somber undertones, the song ends on a hopeful note, urging us to find our own path forward and discover our purpose in life.

What we love about this song is that it can speak to us in different ways. Maybe the past few years truly were the “Time of Your Life,” and you’re sad to see them go. Or maybe you’re totally ready to say goodbye and “Good Riddance” to this chapter. Either way, it works! Although Billie Joe Armstrong supposedly wrote it about an ex, grads can relate to the themes of coming to a fork in the road and embracing the unpredictability of what lies ahead. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but it’s about finding lessons in those moments and trusting they’ll guide us to where we need to be.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“7 Years” (2015), Lukas Graham
An Ode to How Time Flies

“Rise Up” (2015), Andra Day
If Graduation Is the Foot of the Mountain, There’s Nothing Stopping You Climbing to the Top

“Future” (2013), Paramore
One Chapter Closes & Another One Begins

“Story of My Life” (2013), One Direction
A Reminder to Cherish the Friends You Found & the Memories You Made

“It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” (1975), G.C. Cameron
You Might Be More Familiar with the Boyz II Men Cover, but the Original Pierces Our Souls, Too

Title aside, does any song capture the grad experience more than this? Vitamin C used her own experiences of change to co-pen this tune, and well, we feel very seen. As graduation approaches, memories of the good times we’ve had and friends we made flood in. All the while, we’re well aware that things are about to shift. But hey, change is just part of the journey, right? The Class of 2020 even got an updated version, although we can’t imagine many people had qualms about closing that chapter! Anyway, the original celebrates this moment, looking ahead with hope, optimism, and just a hint of sadness. It’s no wonder it’s been a grad-favorite for years.

Which song stirs up all your feels when you think about graduation? Let us know in the comments.