This post: 50 BEST Best Graduation Songs That Bring Out All the Feels
Written by: Co-written by: Marybeth Bock & Nancy Reynolds
Graduation season is here!
It’s time to celebrate your graduate’s final days of “lasts” on their high school journey, all their hard-earned accomplishments, and the excitement of the next chapter of their lives. One super easy way to make your teen’s celebration fun and meaningful is to create a customized playlist that brings out all the feels.
So, along with the food, drinks, and decorations you’re planning at your grad’s celebration, be sure to crank up the music and listen to the lyrics of these hand-picked best graduation songs!
From timeless classics that might make you shed a tear to new and hip songs, that’ll get guests on their feet, these songs are sure to stir up plenty of emotion – from the joy and optimism of what’s yet to come to the bittersweet sadness of saying goodbye to days gone by.Here are the 50 BEST graduation songs for the ultimate 2024 graduation party playlist.
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1. “The Climb” (Miley Cyrus)
You really can’t help yourself… when this song comes on, you just have to sing right along! The lyrics are a powerful reminder for our graduates: “Ain’t about how fast I get there. Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb!”
2. “Don’t You Forget About Me” (Simple Minds)
A classic song that will remind our graduates to cherish the memories and friendships made during their high school years.
3. “Graduation – Friends Forever ” (Vitamin C HD)
Most notable lyrics: “As we go on, we remember. All the times we had together. And as our lives change come whatever. We will still be friends forever.”
4. “Good Riddance/Time of Your Life” (Green Day)
A classic graduation song that captures the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to school and looking forward to what the future holds. Classic lyrics that bring out all the feels: “I hope you had the time of your life.”
5. “I Will Remember You” (Sarah Mclachlan)
Of all the “best graduation songs,” this heartfelt ballad might be one of the most iconic – it’s about cherishing memories and holding onto the people and experiences that have made an impact on your life.
6. “My Wish” (Rascal Flatts)
“My wish for you is that this life becomes everything you want it to…” A heartwarming song about hoping and wishing for the best for someone as they embark on a new journey.
7. “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey)
A classic, timeless song by a class band that will remind and encourage graduates to keep pushing forward and never give up on their dreams.
8. “Humble and Kind” (Tim McGraw)
The advice in this song is pretty much perfection, so be sure it’s on your graduation playlist this year!
9. “Time of My Life” (Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes)
A great song from the movie Dirty Dancing that captures the excitement and joy of new beginnings.
10. “We Made It” (H.E.R.)
“It’s been a long ride and I just can’t believe – we made it!” A perfect and dreamy song for reflecting back on all that the graduates have made it through.
11. “I Lived” (OneRepublic)
A powerful and moving song about living life to the fullest and embracing every moment.
12. “Breakaway” (Kelly Clarkson)
A moving song about breaking free from your past, making a change, and pursuing your dreams. “I’ll spread my wings and learn how to fly.”
13. “I Hope You Dance” (Lee Ann Womack)
This song is a must for every graduation playlist. It’s about having hope, taking chances, following your dreams, and dancing in life. Notable lyrics: “And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.”
14. “Here’s to the Night” (Ringo Starr)
A feel-good, upbeat song that will remind graduates to remember and cherish the memories of friends and days gone by.
15. “Unwritten” (Natasha Bedingfield)
Another song with awesome advice for seniors who are starting a new chapter in life: “Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten. Anything can happen!”
16. “Good Life” (OneRepublic)
A feel-good anthem that makes all who hear it feel grateful for all the best things in their lives.
17. “Permission to Dance” (BTS)
This joyful song is a fantastic one to start things off – it’ll get everyone up and moving at your graduation celebration.
18. “We Are Young” (fun., feat. Janelle Monae)
“We are young, so let’s set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun.” This song is guaranteed to make everyone in the crowd sing along.
19. “I’ll Always Remember You” (Hannah Montana)
Listening to this song is like looking through a high school yearbook and cherishing all the people your teen has grown to love, along with the spot-on lyrics: “It’s so hard to say goodbye.”
20. “See You Again” (Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth)
A hauntingly beautiful song about the enduring bonds of friendship. This one could be the perfect end to a graduation party playlist: “Hold every memory as you go, and every road you take will always lead you home.”
21.“Here’s to Never Growing Up” (Avril Lavigne)
A reminder about embracing that carefree and forever-young attitude – this is a fantastic song to play at any grad celebration.
22. “Best Day of My Life” (American Authors)
The positivity and exuberance of this song is simply infectious – it needs to be on every graduation playlist.
23. “Whenever You Remember” (Carrie Underwood)
“Whenever you remember times gone by, remember how we held our heads so high.” This song is about looking back, remembering, and cherishing what you had together. “We came so far…”
24. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrel)
One of the true classics, this song is about making sure our grad’s friends know that they’ll always be there for each other no matter what. “If you ever need a helping hand, I’ll be there on the double.”
25. “Good Old Days” (Macklemore, feat. Kesha)
This song is a reminder for all the grads to appreciate all the good and bad times they’ve been through and to enjoy every minute that they still have with their friends.
26. “Forever Young” (Rod Stewart)
A timeless classic about holding on to your youth and living life to the absolute fullest.
27. “Life is a Highway” (Racal Flatts)
Want to get the energy going at your grad’s celebration? Play this high-energy song!
28. “Wide Open Spaces” (Dixie Chicks)
Notable lyrics: “She needs wide open spaces… room to make big mistakes. She needs new faces, she knows the highest stakes.” A great country song about venturing out and starting a new life with wide open spaces.
29. “No Such Thing” (John Mayer)
This song celebrates the freedom and excitement of the unknown future. Lyrics: “I want to run through the halls of my high school. I want to scream at the top of my lungs.”
30. “Story of My Life” (One Direction)
A beautiful song about hopes and regrets that resonates perfectly for those at the end of a life stage like high school: “And I’ll be gone tonight, the ground beneath my feet is open wide.”
31. “It’s Time” (Imagine Dragons)
A fun motivational song about seizing the moment and making the most of opportunities.
32. “Congratulations” (Post Malone)
“They said I would be nothing, now they always say congratulations.” A great son to remind grads how far they’ve come, how much they struggled to get where they are, and how incredible the journey was.
33. “Time of Our Lives” (Pitbull)
The ultimate song about having the time of your life! A fun, upbeat song to play at any grad party!
34. “Sweet Caroline” (Neil Diamond)
“Sweet Caroline… good times never seemed so good!” Such a fun classic by all-time favorite Neil Diamond. This one is sure to get everyone singing and dancing!
35.“Have It All” (Jason Mraz)
Just a whole lot of wonderful life advice and best wishes all wrapped up in a fun pop song.
37. “Forever Young” (Jay-Z)
For every graduate, this song is a reminder that life is short and you need to hold onto that precious feeling of being young. “Forever young… I wanna be forever young.”
38. “Summertime” (Kenney Chesney)
A fun, nostalgic look at ALL the summers our grads had throughout high school and making the most of this last summer with all their friends.
39. “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” (Panic! At the Disco)
The ultimate graduation song that brings out all the feels for both students and their family members – especially proud parents!
40. “I Gotta Feeling” (Black Eyed Peas)
Every celebration needs this infectious song and everyone who hears it, young or old, will know it’s going to be a good night!
41.“Keep Your head Up” (Andy Grammar)
“This is just a journey, drop your worries, you are gonna turn out fine.” Another crowd-pleaser sing-along song with such a great message to not worry too much about what lies ahead.
42.“We Are the Champions” (Queen)
Required listening for the end of high school and remembering every success, both big and little. If you’re not swaying and singing to this song, you’ll be tagged a party pooper!
43. “Photograph” (Nickelback)
“Every memory looking out the back door, I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor… it’s hard to say it, time to say it… goodbye, goodbye.”A great song about saying goodbye to yesterday and relishing all those amazing memories.
44. “Time of Our Lives” (Tyrone Wells)
These lyrics will ring so true for teens leaving high school: “It’s hard to walk away from the best of days. But if it has to end, I’m glad you have been my friend.” Pass me a tissue, please!
45.“On Top of the World” (Imagine Dragons)
This song is wonderful for all the kids who’ve worked so hard, endured many struggles, and have been patiently waiting for this big day.
46. “Graduation” (Benny Blanco, Juice WRLD) Clean Lyrics
A fun graduation song that takes you back in time and talks about how friendships last forever. Lyrics: “As our lives change from whatever, we will still be friends forever…”
47. “Good Time” (Owl City, Carly Rae Jepson)
Another crowd-pleasing song that’s sure to get people up on their feet and feeling every bit of the celebration.
48. “Titanium” (David Guetta feat. Sia)
Thoughts of triumph are all you feel when you hear this song, so all those graduates reveling in their success will be vibing to this one
49. “I’ll Be There For You” (Friends Them Song – The Rembrandts)
No graduation party would be complete without this fun, “Friends” theme song. This one will get everyone singing and on their feet!
50. “Firework” (Katy Perry)
For every graduate walking across that stage, show ’em what you’ve got! “Baby you’re a firework, come on let your colors burst!”
Have fun celebrating with these best graduation songs of 2024 and congratulations to ALL our graduates!
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