The 10 Best Graduation Songs Of All Time

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day wrote “Good Riddance” in 1993 when his girlfriend left him and moved to Ecuador. It was included on the band’s 1997 album, Nimrod, and released as the second single. It became the band’s most commercially successful single. The universal themes of endings and outside forces pulling people apart make it the perfect graduation tune.

Never fear Swifties, Taylor gave you the perfect graduation song, “Long Live,” first heard on the 2010 album Speak Now. She has since re-recorded it so she can own the master. Taylor dedicated this song to her fans and band members. It tells the story of big moments in our lives where we feel on top of the world and how we should cherish those moments. Someday, they will just be a fond memory.

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No graduation song list would be complete without “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C. This jam was specifically written about the milestone event that is high school graduation. It was first released in 1999 and features strings and a chorus.

"I Hope You Dance" is an inspirational song by Lee Ann Womack that first appeared on her 2000 album of the same name. It was written by Mark D. Sanders and Tia Sillers. Lee Ann stated in interviews that this song represented her wishes for the children of the world. She wanted them to experience all the good things that life has to offer, just like all the loved ones in attendance of a graduation ceremony would.

"Unwritten" performed by Natasha Bedingfield was released in 2004. It uses literary references to celebrate new beginnings. It encourages listeners to write their own stories because the ending is not yet determined. The possibilities are endless if you open yourself up to them.

“Breakaway” was written by Matthew Gerrard, Bridget Benenate, and Avril Lavigne and was intended for Avril’s 2002 album. It didn’t fit, so the song was passed on to Kelly Clarkson. It was supposed to be simply on The Princess Diaries 2 soundtrack but was so popular that Kelly not only included it on her second studio album but also named the whole record after it. The lyrics tell the story of moving on from something, even though it's hard and scary.

The indie pop band fun released “We Are Young” in 2011 as the first single of its second album Some Nights. This catchy tune went on to be the band’s biggest commercial success. The lyrics lend themselves to graduation sentiments. The chorus proclaims: “Tonight / We are young / So let's set the world on fire / We can burn brighter than the sun.” The bar references probably rule out using it for a pre-school or kindergarten graduation but older audiences will appreciate it.

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for the 1939 hit film The Wizard of Oz. In 1990, Hawaiian singer Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole recorded his own version of the song, mashing it up with “What a Wonderful World.” It is a beautiful celebration of the best of humanity.

“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” was written by Steve Schiff and Keith Forsey. It was the perfect song for the 1985 hit film The Breakfast Club, about high school students from different cliques finding common ground. The band Simple Minds initially declined to record it, but thankfully they changed their minds. It went on to become one of their biggest hits. Its message of not forgetting old friendships is spot on for graduations.

This upbeat Pharrell Williams track first appeared on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack in 2013. It would go on to have a place on Pharrell’s 2014 album, Girl, as well. This tune will have everyone at graduation clapping their hands and feeling joy.