Western graduation song ranking [2025]

Bad DayDaniel Powter85rank/position

Daniel Powter – Bad Day (Official Music Video) [HD]

Daniel Powter is a singer-songwriter from Canada.

In 2005, his song “Bad Day,” an anthem for those rough days, became a huge hit and made him famous worldwide.

The song conveys that life doesn’t always give us good days, but it’s precisely because we have bad or unlucky days that the good ones shine even brighter.

Stand by MeBen E. King86rank/position

Stand By Me

The soul music classic “Stand by Me” has gained international popularity.

It’s a huge favorite in Japan as well.

Originally a love song, after it was used as the theme song for the 1986 film of the same name, it came to be cherished as a timeless track that evokes youth.

Although this masterpiece has been covered by numerous artists, this time we’re highlighting the most classic arrangement by Ben E.

King.

I Want You To Know ft. Selena GomezZedd87rank/position

Zedd – I Want You To Know ft. Selena Gomez

The lyrics are sung from a woman’s perspective, so it’s a song I’d like to share with girls.

Although the tempo is a bit intense for a graduation song, it features Selena Gomez, a hugely popular singer and actress among American youth.

Her powerful vocals make it a graduation song that will give courage to girls who are about to become independent.

Every Teardrop Is a WaterfallColdplay88rank/position

Coldplay – Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall (Official Video)

This song by the British rock band Coldplay—well-known from Summer Sonic and Fuji Rock—titled “A Single Tear Is Like a Waterfall.” As the lyrics suggest with lines like “Even if I feel pain, I’ll keep holding this flag high” and “It’s not an ending, it’s a beginning,” it conveys the message that graduation is not the end but a start, and that even when things get tough, it’s important to keep going by staying true to your beliefs.

Dog Days Are OverFlorence & The Machine89rank/position

Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over (2010 Version) (Official Music Video)

This song delivers a powerful message of hope, freedom, and liberation.

It captures the moment when hard times end and new happiness arrives, expressed through energetic rhythms and commanding vocals.

Released in 2009, it achieved global success.

Following a striking performance at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, downloads surged by 257% week over week.

The track was also featured on the soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.

3, bringing it renewed attention.

For anyone ready to let go of past burdens and sprint toward a new life, Florence and the Machine offers an anthem of encouragement.

What Was I Made For?Billie Eilish90rank/position

Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? (Official Music Video)

A song perfectly suited to color a new beginning is Billie Eilish’s signature track “What Was I Made For?”.

Released on July 13, 2023, it was created for the film Barbie and strongly reflects that world.

It embodies the movie’s message through music, prompting each listener to question their own life and aiding in self-discovery.

Wondering what we were born for is something everyone experiences, and young people in particular often struggle with their identities.

While it might feel somewhat somber for an entrance ceremony, Billie’s wistful yet emotional vocals and melody, along with the lyrics, will gently encourage teenagers who are carrying various anxieties.

Here’s to Never Growing UpAvril Lavigne91rank/position

Avril Lavigne – Here’s to Never Growing Up (Official Video)

It’s a refreshing anthem that celebrates eternal youth.

Avril Lavigne’s powerful vocals sweep away the pressure of growing up and proclaim the importance of fully enjoying the present.

Released in April 2013, the song was included on her self-titled album and reached the top 20 in multiple countries.

She reportedly drew inspiration from the young fans she met during tours around the world.

It’s a track that gives you the courage to look ahead without losing your true self during graduation season or at life’s crossroads.

Recommended not only for young people, but also for anyone who, even as an adult, refuses to forget the passion they hold in their heart.