[80s Graduation Songs] Nostalgic Classics & Hits That Have Become Standards

When it comes to graduation songs, choral pieces used to be the standard, but from around the 1970s, pop-style graduation songs began to appear, and by the 1980s, many hit songs related to graduation were being released.

In this article, we’ll introduce standout graduation songs that were released and became popular in the 1980s.

For those who were students during that era, these tracks will feel nostalgic; for those currently in school, they’ll feel fresh and deeply moving.

Enjoy the colorful world of 1980s graduation songs!

Playlist

[80s Graduation Songs] Nostalgic Classics & Hits That Have Become Standards
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Graduationsaitou yuki		Graduation songs that speak of youthful memories
2	youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran		Graduation season: the struggles and memories of youth
3	GraduationOzaki Yutaka		A graduation song that speaks for students’ youth.
4	Farewell, youthogura kei		Kiyoshi Ogura’s renowned masterpiece, a song that accompanies youth
5	The PeopleYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s masterpiece “Sōbō” encourages us in life.
6	Words of FarewellKaientai		The deep meaning of the graduation song “Okuru Kotoba”
7	As a personKaientai		The classic song 'Sotsugyo' by Kaientai resonates with the heart.
8	While shining…Tokunaga Hideaki		HIDEAKI TOKUNAGA’s youthful classic “Love”
9	Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS		A soul-stirring masterpiece by THE BLUE HEARTS
10	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe’s final song: farewell and a resolve for the future
11	Graduation -GRADUATION-Kikuchi Momoko		Bittersweet feelings of love after graduation and the resolve to part ways
12	Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB		The appeal of Kome Kome Club’s classic song “FLYING”
13	Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie		A graduation song that poignantly sings of springtime farewells
14	Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako		A classic by Takako Okamura that sings about the heart that never gives up on dreams
15	YaYa (I Won’t Forget That Time)Sazan Ōrusutāzu		A classic song that sings of beautiful memories of youth
16	Eyes of the heartSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s “Kokoro no Hitomi,” a song of love and bonds
17	SOMEDAYSano Motoharu		The spirit of the youth anthem 'SOMEDAY'
18	A Tearful RequestChekkāzu		In the 1980s, The Checkers became a social phenomenon.
19	The Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		A timeless classic singing of unwavering love, a love song etched in the heart
20	The youth I walked through with youŌta Hiromi		Hiromi Ohta’s famous song that sings of youthful memories
21	Your Graduation1986OMEGATRIBE		A famous song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of graduation season
22	era; age; time; periodYakushimaru Hiroko		Hiroko Yakushimaru covers Miyuki Nakajima’s classic song
23	Please give me wingsakai tori		The appeal of the hopeful classic song “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” (“Please Give Me Wings”)
24	Entrance to DreamsItō Maiko		A classic by Maiko Itō that captures the feelings of youth
25	The last spring breakItō Maiko		A bittersweet song of loneliness and farewells felt in the school building during spring break
26	Before graduationOzaki Hitomi		A poignant song of springtime farewells before the graduation ceremony
27	uniformMatsuda Seiko		The graduation song by 80s idol Seiko Matsuda, the bittersweetness of friendship
28	Full of memoriesH₂O		A moving masterpiece that depicts memories and growth
29	See you.o nyanko kurabu		Onyanko Club’s cheerful graduation song
30	Graduationsawada shouko		Shoko Sawada's 'Graduation': The Bittersweet Feelings of Graduation
31	GraduationHikaru GENJI		An inspiring song that sings of the sadness and hope of graduation
32	Spring sceneryMinamino Yoko		Harukeshiki, Nanyo Minamino’s classic—a masterpiece overflowing with a young girl’s wistfulness
33	Spring La! La! La!Ishino Mako		A classic song about springtime meetings and farewells
34	Goodbye, Student StreetNishimura Tomomi		Idol Masterpieces That Stir Tomomi Nishimura’s Heart
35	A Lonely Graduation CeremonyMita Hiroko		Hiroko Mita’s graduation song: a unique atmosphere and a heavy theme
36	A Lonely Graduation CeremonyAsaka Yui		Heart-touching masterpieces that color graduation and move you to tears
37	GraduationKurasawa Atsumi		A youthful crush that turns mutual upon graduation
38	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s “Kanpai” is a song that cheers on people who are facing turning points in their lives.
39	Lost Property of YouthHori Chiemi		Chiemi Hori’s classic song that sings of the bittersweetness of youth
40	GraduationOzawa Natsuki		A bittersweet yet hopeful classic graduation song
41	TIME ZONEotoko		Passionate feelings of love and friendship that continue after graduation
42	Goodbye once moreChekkāzu		A famous ballad by The Checkers themed around farewell
43	SWEET GRADUATIONNishida Hikaru		A bittersweet graduation song that colors the youth of the ’80s
44	Maybe a slight fever.Itō Maiko		Idol Maiko Ito’s classic song “Binetu ka Na”
45	Blue StasieonKawai Sonoko		Sonoko Kawai, a popular idol from Onyanko Club
46	MY GRADUATIONChekkāzu		The Checkers’ classic song about memories of graduation
47	Yours sincerelyushiroyubi-sasaregumi		A youth song by Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi
48	GraduationTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s “Sotsugyo” is a moving anthem of youth.
49	Amy’s GraduationKaoru Sudo		A graduation song of youth, a moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart
50	Good-bye school dayshaifaisetto		Season of graduation: the tones of parting and hope