60+ of the Most Popular Graduation Songs for Schools

60+ popular graduation songs for schools

We have recently updated this blog with a brand new Spotify playlist. Enjoy!

Graduation Song Suggestions

Once again, it’s that time of year!

“Does anyone have a great graduation song suggestions??”

Towards the end of March (USA/Europe) and beginning of November (Australia/New Zealand) I start to see teachers ask for graduation song suggestions on Facebook and other social media channels. Although new fresh ones appear each year, some songs are perennial favourites.

Here’s a list of the most commonly suggested songs.

The list below includes

  • Song title
  • Artist/composer name
  • Link to the Youtube video

Graduation Song List

The songs below are listed in no particular order (although the first few are the ones I see mentioned most frequently).

The link goes to the Youtube video of the song.

IMPORTANT: although most songs in the list are considered clean and student-friendly, please use your own judgement when listening to them (or watching the video) and selecting a song for your school. Every school has different guidelines and expectations so YOU need to choose what works best for your students. Some songs are more suitable for older students (13+).

*Please note that the Spotify version of this popular song choice has an explicit word at the very beginning. If you are playing it for students, begin the song 5 seconds in.

>>Download a copy of this list: use the download button at the bottom of this post <<

A Million Dreams – Full Cast (from “The Greatest Showman”)

How Far I’ll Go – Auli’i Cravalho (from “Moana”)

Home – Phillip Phillips

For Good – Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel (from “Wicked”)

Lean On Me – Glee version

This Is MeKeala Settle (from “The Greatest Showman”)

*Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) – Green Day

Time Of Our Lives – Tyrone Wells

Lanterns – Birds of Tokyo

You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins (from “Tarzan”)

Brand New – Ben Rector

Friends Forever – Vitamin C

Seasons of Love – from Rent

Remember Me – Miguel ft. Natalia Lafourcade (from “Coco”)

Try Everything – Shakira (from “Zootopia”)

Can’t Stop The Feeling! – Justin Timberlake (from “Trolls”)

Rise Up – Andra Day

See You Again – Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth (from “Furious 7”)

The Days – Avicii

Better When I’m Dancing – Meghan Trainor

Opportunity – Quvenzhané Wallis (from “Annie”)

Take on the World – Sabrina Carpenter, Rowan Blanchard (from “Girl Meets World”)

Best Day Of My Life – American Authors

Que Sera – Justice Crew

Fight Song – Rachel Platten

Compass – Lady Antebellum

Shine Your Way – Owl City & Yuna (from “The Croods”)

Roar – Katy Perry

Hey Brother – Avicii

Happy – Pharrell Williams

I Lived – One Republic

Counting Stars – One Republic

It’s Time – Imagine Dragons

On Top Of The World – Imagine Dragons

Hall of Fame – The Script ft. will.i.am

Good Time – Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen

Keep Your Head Up – Andy Grammer

Wherever I go – Miley Cyrus & Emily Osment

Count on me – Bruno Mars

Firework – Katy Perry

Today My Life Begins – Bruno Mars

Hold On To The Memories – Corey Tynan

Growing Up Beside You – Paolo Nutini

Fireflies – Owl City

I Was Here – Lady Antebellum

You Can’t Stop the Beat (from “Hairspray”)

Little Wonders – Rob Thomas (from “Meet The Robinsons”)

I Told You So – Carrie Underwood

My Wish – Rascal Flatts

Forever Young – Youth Group

Unwritten – Natasha Beddingfield

Breakaway – Kelly Clarkson

I Believe – Yolanda Adams (from “Honey”)

On My Way – Phil Collins (from “Brother Bear”)

I’ll Be There For You – The Rembrandts (Theme from “Friends”)

End Of The Road – Boyz II Men

Man In The Mirror – Michael Jackson

True Colors – Cyndi Lauper

We Are The Champions – Queen

Pure Imagination – from Willy Wonka

With A Little Help From My Friends – Beatles

Stand By Me – Ben E. King

The Climb – Miley Cyrus

Graduation song Spotify playlist

View the Spotify playlist below!

Download your copy 

Would you like to take a copy of this with you? Click the ‘Download Your Copy’ button below and a copy of this will be sent directly into your inbox!

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Which songs have you used with your students?

Which songs have been popular at your school? Add a comment below!

Looking for More Resources for Music Teachers?

Hello! I’m Katie Argyle – an Australian music technology trainer and consultant with a passion for helping music teachers through my business Midnight Music.

I’m a qualified teacher but no, I don’t currently teach in a school. I help teachers through my online professional development space – the Midnight Music Community – where there are tutorial videos, courses, links and downloadable resources.

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I like to focus on easy ways to incorporate technology intowhat you are already doing in your music curriculum through a range of creative projects. I also run live workshops and have presented at countless conferences and other music education events.

If you want simple, effective ideas for using technology in music education, I would LOVE to help you inside the Midnight Music Community.

Learn more and take a sneak peek inside.

8 Comments

  1. Bill Barrett April 16, 2019 at 8:51 pm - Reply

    For several years we have used the following two songs for graduation…
    “You Raise Me Up” (SATB & Piano) – Words and Music by Brendan Graham and Rolf Lovland, Arranged by Roger Emerson, Recorded by Josh Groban.

    “Hold On” (SATB & Piano) – Words and Music by Michael Bublé, Alan Chang, and Amy Foster, Arranged by Jay Althouse, recorded by Michael Bublé

    • Katie April 18, 2019 at 8:13 am - Reply

      Great suggestions – thanks! I really like that Michael Buble song. I’m sure both of those caused many tears!

  2. Meghan April 23, 2019 at 10:03 pm - Reply

    “Have It All” by Jason Mraz

  3. John May 20, 2020 at 12:22 am - Reply

    I reference this list every year! I also like “93 Million Miles” by Jason Mraz, and “I was Born” by Hanson for graduation events.

    • Katie June 4, 2020 at 6:19 pm - Reply

      Thank you! We need to do a refresh. I slipped by this year with everything else that was going on. I’ll check those ones out for inclusion in our next update 🙂

  4. gbmusics January 16, 2021 at 11:55 pm - Reply

    perfect collection of the music i am very intrested in music is the power & love

  5. Portia March 10, 2023 at 5:51 pm - Reply

    “Tomorrow” (Better You, Better Me) by Tevin Campbell

  6. Andy Kula July 22, 2023 at 1:55 am - Reply

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