Graduation is a time of major feels: joy, nerves, excitement, nostalgia. Whether you’re leaving high school, college, or another big chapter in life, music has a way of making it all feel even more real. The right song doesn’t just celebrate the finish line—it helps you remember how far you’ve come, and what’s waiting around the corner.
Here are 10 songs that are perfect for your graduation soundtrack—timeless, emotional, and ready to play as you turn the tassel.
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
It’s the unofficial graduation anthem for a reason. Bittersweet and reflective, it says goodbye without being too sentimental. Acoustic guitar, life advice, and just the right amount of edge.
“Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield
This song is pure optimism in a melody. It reminds you that the future is exactly what you make it—and that every blank page is a chance to rewrite your story.
“Breakaway” – Kelly Clarkson
Whether you’re leaving a small town or just stepping into something new, this powerhouse ballad nails the feeling of growing up and breaking free—wings and all.
“I Lived” – OneRepublic
A love letter to taking risks, making mistakes, and doing it all over again. “I owned every second that this world could give” is the kind of lyric that deserves a spot in your yearbook.
“See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
This one hits hard, especially if graduation means saying goodbye to people who changed your life. Emotional, yes—but also hopeful.
“Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen
For when you just want to celebrate and feel unstoppable. Freddie Mercury knew how to throw a sonic party, and this one’s still undefeated.
“Forever Young” – Alphaville
Dreamy, nostalgic, and timeless. This synth-pop anthem is like a yearbook set to music—a wish to never lose the spark that made you who you are right now.
“Started From the Bottom” – Drake
Graduation isn’t just about gowns and speeches—it’s about hustle. This track is for anyone who worked their way to the stage and earned every second of that walk.
“Graduation” – Vitamin C
This one might be a throwback, but it still lands. A slow-building ballad of friendship, memories, and the strange, wonderful feeling of growing up together.
“My Future” – Billie Eilish
Chill, wise, and surprisingly uplifting. This is the song for those walking into adulthood with curiosity, confidence, and a soft kind of self-love.
So whether you’re dancing in the gym, driving home with the windows down, or holding back tears in your cap and gown, let these songs be the soundtrack to a moment you’ll always remember. Congratulations, graduate. This is your time—and the playlist is just getting started.