50 Best Graduation Songs That Are an Ode to a Student's Journey
You know a song is good when it makes you tear up a little!
There are so many reasons why graduating (from high school or college) can be both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. On the one hand, those years of hard work will be honored and you'll soon head into the next chapter of your life! On the other hand, that memorable time spent at a place you once knew so well will soon be coming to an end. A feeling like this is enough to bring on some tears for both students and parents, like Ree Drummond—who couldn't help but shed a few when her kids crossed that stage. What better way to channel an experience like this than with a meaningful tune? That's where this list of the best graduation songs comes in handy.
The songs on this list are perfect to play when you want to reminisce, or they're even fitting for a graduation party! You've got country hits like "You're Gonna Miss This" by Trace Adkins and pop show-stoppers like "Firework" by Katy Perry, as well as '80s songs like "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. Pair a sweet song with some inspiring graduation quotes, and get ready to grab the tissues!
As you figure out your own ways to celebrate this year, turn up the tunes and let your emotions flow free. Here are the best graduation songs to create a soundtrack for this tremendous right of passage.
Get inspired with some more graduation ideas:
"Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen
Most memorable lyrics: "I'm gonna have myself a real good time / I feel alive / And the world, I'll turn it inside out, yeah."
"Lovely Day" by Bill Withers
Most memorable lyrics: "When the day that lies ahead of me / Seemed impossible to face / When someone else instead of me / Always seems to know the way / Then I look at you and the world's alright with me."
"Night Changes" by One Direction
Most memorable lyrics: "We're only getting older, baby / And I've been thinking about it lately / Does it ever drive you crazy / Just how fast the night changes?"
"Memories" by Maroon 5
Most memorable lyrics: "There's a time that I remember when I did not know no pain / When I believed in forever and everything would stay the same."
"Hey Look Ma, I Made It" by Panic! at the Disco
Most memorable lyrics: "I'm gonna be the greatest / In a golden cathedral / I'll be praying for the faithless."
"Am I Wrong" by Nico & Vinz
Most memorable lyrics: "My prediction; I'mma be on the top of the world / Hope you, hope you don't look back / Always do what you decide."
"Green Light" by Lorde
Most memorable lyrics: "'Cause honey I'll come get my things, but I can't let go / I'm waiting for it, that green light, I want it."
"This Is Me" by Keala Settle
Most memorable lyrics: "Look out 'cause here I come / And I'm marching on to the beat I drum / I'm not scared to be seen / I make no apologies, this is me."
"Remember Me" by Miguel
Most memorable lyrics: "Remember me, though I have to say goodbye / Remember me, don't let it make you cry."
"Compass" by Lady A
Most memorable lyrics: "So let your heart, sweetheart / Be your compass when you're lost / And you should follow it wherever it may go / When it's all said and done / You can walk instead of run."
"Life Is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts
Most memorable lyrics: "Life is a highway / I wanna ride it all night long / If you're going my way / I wanna drive it all night long."
"7 Years" by Lukas Graham
Most memorable lyrics: "Our songs have been sold / We've traveled around the world / And we're still roaming / Soon we'll be thirty years old."
"Fly" by Hilary Duff
Most memorable lyrics: "Fly / Open up the part of you that wants to hide away / You can shine."
"I've Had The Time Of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
Most memorable lyrics: "I've had the time of my life / No I never felt this way before / Yes I swear it's the truth."
"You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins
Most memorable lyrics: "'Cause you'll be in my heart / Yes, you'll be in my heart / From this day on / Now and forever more."
"We're All In This Together" by High School Musical Cast
Most memorable lyrics: "We're all in this together / And it shows / When we stand / Hand in hand / Make our dreams come true."
"Keep Holding On" by Avril Lavigne
Most memorable lyrics: "You're not alone / Together we stand / I'll be by your side / You know I'll take your hand."
"Looks Like We Made It" by Barry Manilow
Most memorable lyrics: "Oh, we made it / Looks like we made it/ Left each other on the way to another love/ Looks like we made it."
"We May Never Pass This Way Again by Seals & Crofts
Most memorable lyrics: "Like Columbus in the olden days / We must gather all our courage/ Sail our ships out on the open seas/ Cast away our fears/ And all the years will come and go/ Take us upAlways up / We may never pass this way again."
"Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift
Most memorable lyrics: "Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up / Just stay this little / Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up / It could stay this simple."
Micaela Bahn is a freelance editorial assistant and recent graduate from Carleton College, where she majored in English literature. She loves running, photography, and cooking the best new recipes.
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