Western music entrance ceremony song rankings [2025]

Viva La VidaColdplay8rank/position

Coldplay – Viva La Vida (Official Video)

Viva La Vida will embolden your heart as it flutters with nerves about a new classroom and classmates.

Released by the rock band Coldplay in 2008, the song drew attention for its genre-defying sound.

Its beautiful strings and percussion resonate to celebrate fresh beginnings.

The lyrics, which depict the life of a fictional king, echo school life, where we grow through a variety of experiences.

It’s a track that makes you feel life is beautiful—good parts and not-so-good parts included.

Don’t Stop Me NowQueen9rank/position

Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now (Official Video)

The beautiful melody at the beginning and the gradually intensifying, fast-paced development—above all, the sense of joy that overflows throughout the song—make it a track that inspires hope for the life ahead.

It’s a masterpiece that almost always gets mentioned among Queen’s greatest hits and is highly popular even among fans.

I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas10rank/position

The Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (Official Music Video)

While the lyrics themselves sing about something like “Tonight will be a good night,” the underlying meaning feels more like, “Your life from here on out will surely get better, so you can relax.” It’s a song that lets you feel hopeful about a new beginning.

Permission to DanceBTS11rank/position

BTS (방탄소년단) ‘Permission to Dance’ Official MV

BTS, a seven-member male hip-hop group attracting attention from around the world.

Their 2021 release “Permission to Dance” is a perfect pep song to play at entrance ceremonies.

The group’s energetic performance and rhythmic tempo will lift your spirits.

The lyrics, which say that anyone is free to dance, teach new students the importance of living true to themselves.

It’s a track that embraces both the excitement and anxiety of starting school and makes you want to move forward.

Good FeelingFlo Rida12rank/position

Flo Rida – Good Feeling [Official Video]

A track that belts out “I’m gonna do it!” with powerful EDM sounds and tough rap.

It’s not a song that mourns an ending, nor one that celebrates a beginning, but rather a send-off that fires you up for who you’re about to become.

Fight SongRachel Platten13rank/position

Rachel Platten – Fight Song (Official Video)

Rachel Platten is a singer-songwriter known for her emotionally resonant vocals.

Her 2015 release “Fight Song” is an anthem used in various campaigns and commercials.

The mid-tempo drums and strings sound beautifully uplifting.

Having spent over a decade honing her craft, she brings real conviction to lyrics about not giving up.

For those of you starting school, days of challenges lie ahead.

Listening to this empowering track can help you greet this new beginning with a positive mindset.

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)Kelly Clarkson14rank/position

Kelly Clarkson – Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) [Official Video]

This is a song by Kelly Clarkson that, in its lyrics, teaches “Don’t kill your own feelings! It’s what makes you stronger.” It’s also recommended for entrance ceremonies! The title “Stronger” ties in nicely, too.

It’s a bit old, but this track should appeal to just about everyone, don’t you think? By the way, the sound doesn’t feel dated at all.