A Collection of Moving Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Sing at Karaoke! [Farewells, Friendship, and Fight Songs]

Sky-blue DaysSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Sky-Blue Days”

SHISHAMO’s “Mizuiro no Hibi” is a song that captures the bittersweet feelings just before graduation.

Released in 2018 as their eighth single, it was used in a commercial for Calpis Water.

The music video, with its drama-like treatment, looks back on memories of student life and heightens the poignancy of the days leading up to graduation.

It’s a quintessential SHISHAMO youth anthem, but with a pop sound that tones down the rock elements, making it a graduation song even those who aren’t into rock can sing.

my graduationSPEED

SPEED / my graduation -Music Video-

This is one of SPEED’s signature songs, released in 1998.

The contrast between the gentle mood of the verses and pre-chorus and the punchy, powerful chorus is electrifying.

People in their 30s and 40s are the SPEED generation, so choosing this as a gift song for a teacher would likely be a hit.

It’s not just cute—if you like girl group songs that also bring out a cool edge, this is especially recommended.

Since the parts are divided, it could be fun to reunite your own mini-SPEED with a close-knit group of friends.

HarukaYOASOBI

YOASOBI 'Haruka' Official Music Video

For lovers who will be separated by graduation, I highly recommend singing YOASOBI’s “Haruka.” Released in 2020 as a digital-only single, it reached No.

5 on Billboard’s download chart.

The lyrics, which look back on various memories with a partner, and the wistful melody really resonate when you listen.

Graduation might lead to a breakup or a long-distance relationship, but this is a heartwarming love song that wishes for the other person’s happiness—so please sing it for them.

Cherry Blossom Rainabsorb feat. Hatsune Miku

With lyrics: Hatsune Miku - Sakura no Ame - PV

Absorb, an acoustic band whose name means “to absorb everything,” disbanded just two years after their major-label debut.

Their first single, Sakura no Ame, featuring Hatsune Miku—whose name is known by everyone as a VOCALOID—became famous even before its release for drawing a flood of requests from schools nationwide to use it for graduation ceremonies.

Its beautiful lyrics about unwavering friendship let listeners reminisce about their youth while reaffirming bonds that remain unchanged even after graduation.

It’s a timeless song that brings tears to all, perfect for singing at karaoke with close friends after the ceremony.

Progresskōkua

Shikao Suga / Reconstruction Support Studio Live “Progress”

A song by kōkua, the band formed for the TV program “Professional: Shigoto no Ryuugi,” featuring Shikao Suga on vocals.

It’s a track that makes you feel you can turn not only the good times up to graduation but also your failures into personal growth.

Even if farewells are lonely, “let’s take just one more step forward.”

graduation songwhiteeeen

whiteeeen “Graduation Song” lyric video

Here’s a song by whiteeeen, a unit formed in 2014 by members chosen through a LINE audition as the sister group to GReeeeN.

The title is straightforward: “Sotsugyo Song” (Graduation Song).

It’s a classic graduation tune that sings about memories of school life.

Try singing it together while savoring your school days.

SAKURAIkimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari “SAKURA” Music Video

When it comes to graduation songs, you can’t leave out tracks that sing about cherry blossoms! Among those “sakura songs,” one of the most iconic is Ikimonogakari’s major-label debut single, SAKURA.

It’s a staple that’s often performed at graduation ceremonies.

The lyrics, themed around encounters and farewells, perfectly match the feelings of students during graduation season, so belting it out at karaoke is highly recommended.

And even if you’ve already graduated, singing it will bring your memories from that time vividly back to life.