2025 Update:
We have recently updated this blog (and the accompanying Spotify playlist) with 20+ new graduation songs for 2025!
Graduation Song Suggestions
It’s that time of year again!
Every year around February/March (for the USA and Europe) and November (for Australia and New Zealand), music teachers start asking the same question on Facebook and other social media groups:
“Does anyone have any great graduation song suggestions??”
Although new songs appear each year, some classic favourites never go out of style.
If you’d like more ready-to-use music projects, lesson plans, and ideas for end-of-year celebrations, the Midnight Music Community has everything you need – including step-by-step projects, lesson templates, and ongoing support for integrating music tech into your classroom.
What’s in This List
Below, you’ll find a collection of the most frequently recommended songs by music teachers worldwide.
Each entry includes:
- Song title
- Artist or composer
- Link to the YouTube video
The Songs
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 judgment 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 (and videos) are more suitable for older students (13+), so please preview everything first.
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 Me – Keala Settle (from “The Greatest Showman”)
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 A
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 A
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
I Was Born – Hanson
Pure Imagination – Timothée Chamalet (from “Wonka”)
You Will Be Found – (from “DEAR EVAN HANSEN”)
100 Years – Five for Fighting
I Was Here – Beyoncé
Never Grow Up – Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version)
Don’t Forget Where You Belong – One Direction
A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
Chasing Thunder – Kesha
Autumn Leaves – Goo Goo Dolls
The Call – Regina Spektor
This Is My Now – Jordin Sparks
Long Live – Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version)
Don’t Forget to Remember Me – Carrie Underwood
Life Is a Highway – Rascal Flatts (from “Cars)
Homesick – Dua Lipa
Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
Celebration – Kool & The Gang
Dear High School – Carolina Rial
Out of the Old – Olivia Rodrigo (from “High School Musical: The Series”)
It’s Ok – Nightbirde
Lean On Me – Bill Withers
Life of the Party – Shawn Mendes
Moments Like This – The Afters
Find Your People – Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors
Graduation song Spotify playlist
View the Spotify playlist below!
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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.
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.
8 Comments
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
Great suggestions – thanks! I really like that Michael Buble song. I’m sure both of those caused many tears!
“Have It All” by Jason Mraz
I reference this list every year! I also like “93 Million Miles” by Jason Mraz, and “I was Born” by Hanson for graduation events.
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 🙂
perfect collection of the music i am very intrested in music is the power & love
“Tomorrow” (Better You, Better Me) by Tevin Campbell
The Graduation Song by Kula Bar David:
https://open.spotify.com/track/53Dxbbbz5LhiHg7NKqSw5G?si=400a9877e4d74cd5