Western graduation song ranking [2025]

Rain On MeLady Gaga, Ariana Grande71rank/position

Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande – Rain On Me (Official Music Video)

Lady Gaga, known for signature songs like “Born This Way” and “Poker Face,” teamed up with Ariana Grande—who has hits like “Break Free (featuring Zedd)” and “Problem”—for “Rain On Me,” a track that showcases their powerhouse vocals.

The provocative music video featuring bondage-inspired outfits is sure to get you pumped, so be sure to check it out on YouTube!

Don’t Worry, Be HappyBobby McFerrin72rank/position

Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)

If you start from the premise that life inevitably involves difficulties, even the smallest good things can feel truly delightful.

As words of encouragement for young people about to enter society, few pieces of advice are as compelling as the phrase, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Released in 1988, this work is a classic that reached No.

1 on the U.

S.

charts.

Hey JudeThe Beatles73rank/position

The Beatles – Hey Jude

A masterpiece among masterpieces! No matter how much time passes, it continues to move people’s hearts.

This song was given by Paul McCartney, John Lennon’s close friend, to John’s son, Julian Lennon, who was hurt by John’s divorce from Yoko Ono, after John had grown up not knowing his father.

Their warm friendship and Paul’s kindness will surely resonate—without a word—even in the hearts of students who don’t know the song.

It’s a wonderful piece to dedicate to children who are about to spread their wings.

I Ain’t WorriedOneRepublic74rank/position

OneRepublic – I Ain’t Worried (From “Top Gun: Maverick”) [Official Music Video]

I Ain’t Worried, which means “I’m not worried at all,” is a recommended song by OneRepublic, a rock band formed in the U.

S.

in 2002.

The repeatedly featured whistling melody is striking, and many listeners will probably think, “I know that whistling phrase!” when they hear it.

Ryan Tedder’s refreshing vocals are also perfect for the celebratory stage of a school entrance ceremony.

How about using this song to get in the mood for the big day?

HeroMariah Carey75rank/position

Mariah Carey – Hero (Official HD Video)

Mariah Carey’s song Hero.

Everyone has moments when they think, “At the very least, I want to be on my own side!” Hero by Mariah Carey is a song I want you—someone who wants to be strong—to listen to.

Her voice feels as if it’s right there beside you.

If you’ve had times before graduation when you felt you had to pull yourself together for entrance exams and the like, listen to Hero and let it lift your spirits!

Who SaysSelena Gomez & The Scene76rank/position

Selena Gomez & The Scene – Who Says

Released in 2011, this song of hers is one you should listen to when you’re feeling unsure of yourself.

The lyrics carry a message like: Who said you don’t have talent or aren’t wonderful? Don’t jump to conclusions—hold your head high and live with confidence.

Hearing it from someone as grounded as she is might just make you think, maybe that’s true.

Welcome To The Black ParadeMy Chemical Romance77rank/position

My Chemical Romance – Welcome To The Black Parade [Official Music Video] [HD]

While rooted in post-hardcore, My Chemical Romance distilled a wide range of genres—goth, classic hard rock, heavy metal, UK rock—through their unique sensibility, achieving major commercial success and helping lead the emo boom of the 2000s.

Their 2006 masterpiece, Welcome to the Black Parade, revived the classic rock-opera concept album for the modern era and elevated them into a “band that defines its time,” making it one of the standout albums of the 2000s.

The title track, Welcome to the Black Parade, centers on the theme of death, and some may feel it’s entirely unsuitable as background music for a celebratory entrance ceremony.

For those who feel that way, I urge you to read the lyrics closely: the story actually follows a protagonist facing death who, while confronting suffering and hardship, discovers a glimmer of light.

The song’s dramatically unfolding structure evokes the very arc of a human life.

It isn’t a bright, hopeful tune, but it’s precisely the kind of song that can give courage to those who find strength in this sort of music—a true classic you should hear.