Best Graduation Songs - by Decade

April 17, 2008 by
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Looking for the Perfect Graduation Theme Song?

The modern history of graduation themed songs dates back to the first decade of the 20th century and the classic song "Pomp and Circumstance." Whether you know the name or not, you're probably familiar with the tune. The classic graduation theme song stood the test of time, remaining
 popular into the 21st century. Additionally, there are a variety of graduation songs from various decades throughout recent history that have remained popular graduation songs.

1960's Graduation Songs

The 1960's decade of flower children, love and peace produced the graduation themed musical stylings of:

Be True to Your School (1963) by The Beach Boys

Leaving on a Jet Plane (1967) by John Denver

Leaving on a Jet Plane (1967) covered by Peter, Paul and Mary

Don't Forget to Remember (1969) by the Bee Gees

1970's Graduation Songs

The transformative decade of the 1970's ushered in the graduation themed musical stylings of:

Long and Winding Road (1970) by The Beatles

School's Out (1972) by Alice Cooper

Free Bird (1974) by Lynyrd Skynyrd

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday (1975) from the movie Cooley High

Born to Run (1975) by Bruce Springsteen

Carry On My Wayward Son (1976) by Kansas

We Are the Champions (1977) by Queen

Don't Look Back (1978) by Boston

1980's Graduation Songs

The radical decade of the 1980's produced the graduation themed musical stylings of:

I'm Coming Out (1980) by Diana Ross

True Colors (1986) by Cyndi Lauper

I Won't Back Down (1989) by Tom Petty

1990's Graduation Songs

The punk and grunge era of the 1990's brought the graduation themed musical stylings of:

The Dance (1990) by Garth Brooks

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday (1991) covered by Boyz II Men

These Are Days (1992) by the 10,000 Maniacs

End of the Road (1992) by Boyz II Men

I Will Remember You (1995) Sarah McLachlan

Seasons of Love (1996) from the Broadway musical Rent

I Believe I Can Fly (1996) R. Kelly

Good Riddance (1997) by Green Day

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) (1999) Baz Luhrmann

2000's Graduation Songs

The new millennium was kicked off in proper fashion with the graduation themed musical stylings of:

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  • Graduation Theme Songs of the Past Five Decades
 
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Great picks.
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Posted on 02/22/2009 at 8:02:50 AM

The word "rad" was wicked popular in the 80's around my parts (i.e. that's rad, as in cool, or whatever.) Anyway, I don't think of Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" as a graduation song. Kim raises a valid point about classes not being allowed to use it for graduation. But, we're each entitled different perspectives on the matter. If a song is selected as a graduation song by the students, but ultimately denied by school administration, should it count?
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Posted on 08/15/2008 at 3:08:03 AM

Best graduation song ever = Free, by Vast
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Posted on 06/11/2008 at 10:06:45 PM

That's the first time I've heard the words "radical" and "1980's" used together... but OK. Oh, and you left "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" by Pink Floyd off your list...
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Posted on 06/03/2008 at 7:06:21 PM

Enjoyed your list, especially the fact that it went back through five decades of music! Funny though, two years ago, the local class selected Good Riddance again...even though it's an "old song," at least for them! I know in the 1980's that Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" was quite popular, but I never did know of a class that was allowed to use it for graduation! ;-) Kim
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Posted on 06/03/2008 at 4:06:59 PM

This is fantastic! Love it.
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Posted on 06/03/2008 at 3:06:27 PM

Nice list - I especially like your picks from the seventies and Bon Jovi's "It's My Life." "Good Riddance" was a good call, too.
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Posted on 05/29/2008 at 7:05:49 AM

Wow, your list is bringing back a lot of memories! What every happened to Boyz II Men anyway?
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Posted on 05/22/2008 at 6:05:13 PM

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