Top Ten Graduation Songs

Ah, who doesn't look forward to graduation? Getting to wear caps and gowns, tossing your cap in the air (hoping it hits your principal's head), and of course, having your parents nag you about what you're going to do with your life.

It goes without saying that you also have songs that represent how you feel, and here are the top 10 in that category:

(10) Time of Your Life by Green Day. What I love about this song is that it is so often misinterpreted. When the guy says he hopes you had the time of your life, he is saying it with anger and resentment. I suppose you can apply this to the teachers and administrators who made your life miserable....

(9) The Is the Time by Billy Joel. Off his greatest album of all time 1986's The Bridge, the lyrics tell you that this is the time to remember, 'cuz it will not last forever. Thank God! (Okay, enough snark out of me.) Going on the assumption that you actually enjoyed school, it's a nice, sentimental tune. (The lack of snark is killing me!)

(8) Photograph by Ringo Starr. Here's where my Beatles fetish comes in. The song, actually co-written by George Harrison (along with Mr. Starkey), has very emotional lyrics. "Every time I see your face it reminds me of the places we used to go. But all I've got is a photograph and I realize you're not coming back anymore." That's true when you look at your class photos. Unless you all show up to a reunion, it's unlikely you'll ever be with the same group of friends in the same place again.

(7) Hot For Teacher by Van Halen. Reminds us of crushes we've had on teachers. And let's face it - there had to be a teacher that you thought was kind of cute. Come on, who among us has not fantasized about a Mrs. Robinson scenario?

(6) Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd. "We don't need no education." 'Nuff said.

(5) In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry. If you're graduating in June, not only are you done with school, but you have the funnest season to look forward to.

(4) I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith. This is one of those enjoy-the-moment songs. This one says, "While I'm in school and I have no real responsibilities, let me have some fun because once I start working and have expenses, it's all downhill from there."

(3) With a Little Help from my Friends by the Beatles. Sorry, I don't care for Joe Cocker's cover (or most people's covers, for that matter - see my article on that topic for more), but the original by the Fab Four is a great one that celebrates what school is all about - friendships. Kids, take it from an old fogy like me - the friends you make in school will most likely be your closest friends through life. Sure, you can make friends when you're in your 20s and 30s, but it's not the same as the people you've grown up with.

(2) Charlie Brown by the Coasters. Memories of the class clown. What I love about the song is that it was written in 1959, when music in general was more fun. Let me say this as a former teacher - if the worst thing a student did was call me "Daddy-O" I'd thank God for my job every single day.

(1) Never Say Goodbye by Bon Jovi. Let's face it. This song was written for graduations, proms, or what have you. And like the suckers we are, we eat it up. Here are the lyrics:

As I sit in this smokey room
The night about to end
I pass my time with strangers
But this bottle's my only friend

Remember when we used to park
On Butler Street out in the dark
Remember when we lost the keys
And you lost more than that in my backseat

Remember how we used to talk
About busting out - we'd break their hearts
Together - forever

Never say goodbye, never say goodbye
You and me and my old friends
Hoping it would never end
Never say goodbye, never say goodbye
Holdin' on - we got to try
Holdin' on to never say goodbye

Remember days of skipping school
Racing cars and being cool
{ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bon-jovi-lyrics/never-say-goodbye-lyrics.html }
With a six pack and the radio
We didn't need no place to go

Remember at the prom that night
You and me we had a fight
But the band they played our favorite song
And I held you in my arms so strong

We danced so close
We danced so slow
And I swore I'd never let you go
Together - forever

Never say goodbye, never say goodbye
You and me and my old friends
Hoping it would never end
Never say goodbye, never say goodbye
Holdin' on - we got to try
Holdin' on to never say goodbye

I guess you'd say we used to talk
About busting out
We'd break their hearts
Together - forever