Top 10 Graduation Theme Songs

Ann Olson
Your graduation is finally here. It's time say goodbye to childhood friends, get ready for the prospect of 'adulthood' (as scary as that is), and finally say good riddance to good ol' school. Ultimately, our most memorable experience is walking down that aisle. We'll remember the music that greets us during the graduation preamble -- more importantly, the songs that let us go. Your school probably has its own theme songs for graduation, such as Vitamin's C rendition of Graduation or Kanye West's song Graduation Day. Here are the top 10 graduation theme songs.

10. School's Out (Alice Cooper). Let's not kid yourselves, you're glad school's over -- and this time for good! This song is usually used for summer vacation, but it's also a very popular graduation theme.

9. Graduation Day (Kanye West). Most graduation songs don't involve rap, but rap is being used for popular theme songs all around high schools and colleges. This song isn't 'hard' either -- it's smooth, easy to listen to, and something we could all relate to.

8. I Want to Break Free (Queen). More graduations songs have a strange affinity for Queen. This is an inspiring song. More schools use Queen's We Are the Champions, but this is catching on as another catchy graduation theme.

7. Don't Look Back (Boston). There are so many Boston songs that are great for any occasion, and this is no exception. It's a great theme for leaving, partaking drinks with old friends, and finally saying goodbye to school.

6. Running (No Doubt). Gwen Stefani doesn't look 40, but maybe that's a good thing. Many schools choose to end their ceremonies with this piece.

5. Carry On My Wayward Son (Kansas). Maybe younger folks might think this theme is too old for a high school graduation, but Kansas is classic. All of their songs speak of the good ol' life, and especially this one too.

4. Long and Winding Road (The Beatles). Who doesn't love The Beatles? Everyone loves their classic songs -- including older folks -- and this is the perfect graduation theme to walk out to.

3. Seasons of Love (RENT: The Musical). Rent is one of the biggest musicals around, and this song truly speaks of the young graduatory spirit. It's a wonderful way to enter and leave.

2. Pomp and Circumstance. Out of all the songs listed, this one has been used since...well, since forever! Who doesn't start off the ceremony with this song anyways?

1. Graduation Song (Vitamin C). Out of all the songs listed, this one is number one -- and for good reasons. Every school in America is using this song for its graduation theme, and they'll continue to use it for a very, very long time. Vitamin C, unfortunately, isn't around anymore, but this song is, greeting every student as they get ready for the final trek down the aisle. This is the top song for graduating, and with that, this top 10 is over! Celebrate, be merry, hug all your friends (you'll never know when you'll see them again) and get happy -- you're finally heading to adulthood!

Published by Ann Olson - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness

When I'm not lifting 200 lbs. off the ground with my bare hands, I moonlight as a freelance reporter and diet consultant. What I do: I write regular diet and exercise-oriented columns for Yahoo! Sports, Yah...  View profile

17 Comments

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  • kennedy10/19/2010

    all of these songs are cheesy and uninteresting. A grad song should be unique and tastful not just going with what everyone else thinks is "best"

  • Brendan11/15/2008

    That Kayne West song uses about 100 swear words!

  • Rebecca J7/31/2008

    I like the last two years songs from our school;

    2007- Our Walk Of Fame- Here for a Good time- by Trooper
    2008- Small Town, Big Dreams- Don't Stop Believing- by Journey
    proposed for 2009- The Fire Within- Risk- by Paul Brandt

  • Joe Poniatowski6/6/2008

    Ours was 'We Are The Champions' by Queen. As a testament to what was on a lot of seniors' minds in those days, and the ensuing consequences, 'Having My Baby' was narrowly defeated. I'm glad that one didn't make your list.

  • Isabell Sarah Takatak5/14/2008

    Our's was "Star" by Bryan Adams '97 ago....It was an awesome song!

  • penguins294/20/2008

    excellent choices =)

  • Crutnacker3/15/2008

    Ours was Never Tear Us Apart by INXS.

    Page View it Forward!

  • PHILLIP TOBIAS2/27/2008

    I like Pomp and Circumstance. My school used the theme to Jurassic Park.

  • jcorn2/26/2008

    I was looking at Lee Andrew's comment. I do seem to remember a lot of those Boyz II Men numbers at graduation, including End of the Road. Super compilation of songs.

  • Erin Morris2/26/2008

    great list! Our class had "Leaving on a Jet Plane" it was great!

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