20 of the best graduation songs

In 1999, pop singer Vitamin C released her self-titled debut album, which included the hit single “Graduation (Friends Forever).” The track lyrically depicts the feelings of people graduating from high school who realize how their lives will change with post-high school paths, such as college or employment (or both), and different friendships. As she sings in the second verse, “So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money / When we look back now, will our jokes still be funny? / Will we still remember everything we learned in school? / Still be tryna break every single rule.” 

Natasha Bedingfield’s 2004 song “Unwritten” is the perfect track that highlights how no one knows where life will take them, so it’s important to live life to the fullest as you try to map out your future. As Bedingfield sings on the hook, “Drench yourself in words unspoken / Live your life with arms wide open / Today is where your book begins / The rest is still unwritten.” 

There are times when graduating from one chapter to another can be a bit challenging, frustrating, and daunting, but sometimes you just want to focus on the positive. That’s the sentiment on “Time of Our Lives,” the 2014 track by Pitbull and Ne-Yo. Like they mention in the track, one might be down to their last bit of cash, but they’re going to party anyway. 

Pop singer Lizzo knows that graduation is a call for a celebration on her 2022 single “About Damn Time.” It’s an uplifting and powerful track that encourages listeners to celebrate and appreciate big moments in their lives. “About Damn Time” became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

The Black Eyed Peas were no strangers to making anthems, and they did just that in 2009 with their hit single “I Gotta Feeling.” It’s the type of song that is always played at graduation parties that help celebrate a student’s completed time in school.  

As children grow up, they are often told that if they have a dream to do something or be somebody, then they can do it as long as they work hard to achieve it. That’s the sentiment on Nas’ 2003 track “I Can,” in which the rapper is joined by kids on the hook to highlight how hard work will eventually pay off. 

Pop-rock band fun. teamed up with Janelle Monae on their 2011 hit song “We Are Young.” On the track, they highlight how people have fun nights out and the importance of having a solid friend group around them to look out for them. As they sing on the hook, “Tonight, we are young / So let’s set the world on fire / We can burn brighter than the sun.” 

In 2007, Kanye West released his third album Graduation, which featured the T-Pain-assisted single “Good Life.” On the track, West and T-Pain highlight the importance of celebrating and appreciating their wealth and success, while also calling out any haters. Using a sample of Michael Jackson’s hit track “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” the song became a top-10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. 

On Green Day’s 1997 track “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” the band reflects on going through life after a breakup. Although the relationship didn’t work out, they’ll always have good memories. 

On Beyoncé’s 2011 track “Schoolin’ Life,” she takes a different approach on how people are educated. While people learn many things from attending school, this track showcases how much life can be a constant lesson as people continue to get older. Yes, it’s important to be book smart, but having common sense and street smarts are also essential. 

A school is a good place where people can meet some of their best friends, and as people get older, they realize how important it is to have a good community. G-Eazy teamed up with fellow Bay Area native Kehlani on their hit song “Good Life,” which was featured on the soundtrack of The Fate of the Furious. Kehlani sings on the hook, “Raise a cup up for all my day ones / Two middle fingers for the haters / Life’s only getting greater / Straight up from nothing we go.” 

In 2021, producer DJ Khaled released his 12th studio album Khaled Khaled. He teamed up with Migos and H.E.R. on the hit track “We Going Crazy.” The track highlights the importance of celebrating life, success, family, and money, which tends to be a prevailing sentiment as people continue to grow in life. 

Many college graduates often reminisce on the joyous times they had during their tenure. Asher Roth reflects on those good times in his 2009 hit single “I Love College.” He uses the track to highlight the college lifestyle such as partying, drinking, and hanging out with his friends. 

Sometimes in life, it’s not always about how you start, but it’s how you finish. Drake highlights this theme on his hit 2013 track “Started from the Bottom.” Drake is well-aware of how people are sometimes counted out or considered the underdog, but he’s ready to appreciate his victories and successes. 

When people graduate college, they typically have friends and family who have been rooting for them all along. On Panic! At The Disco’s 2018 track “Hey Look Ma, I Made It,” the band touches on this topic, but from an artist’s point of view in navigating the music industry. Lead singer Brendon Urie sings about the highs and lows of trying to make his dreams happen, and when he finally does, he’s proud to show it off to his mother. 

Miley Cyrus knows how life is just a constant journey in her 2009 hit single “The Climb.” On the track, Cyrus highlights how life is going to throw curveballs and consist of many highs and lows, but it’s all about how people continue to persevere. As she sings in the second verse, “The struggles I’m facing / The chances I’m taking / Sometimes might knock me down / But no, I’m not breaking.” 

More people should focus on savoring the current times. That’s the type of sentiment heard on Nicki Minaj’s 2010 single “Moment 4 Life.” Minaj teams up with Drake as she highlights how much she wants to appreciate the good moments happening in her life. 

Pop singer Shawn Mendes knows that good things are on the horizon in his 2014 track “Something Big.” As he sings in the second verse, “It’s like that feeling when you’re about to win the medal / And you worked so hard, that you knew you wouldn’t settle.” 

Part of life is all about taking the memories with you, because life doesn’t have a rewind button for people to relive those moments. On Jay Z’s 2009 single “Young Forever,” he paints the picture of how he’s left his mark in the industry and how fans will remember him. 

Some students look forward to the last day of school, because that means it’s the beginning of summer, which is the exact sentiment in Alice Cooper’s 1972 track “School’s Out.” On the track, the band reflects on not having to deal with teachers or read books — at least until the next school year starts.