[Graduation Live & Farewell Concert] Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Play with Your Band [2026]
For students in bands, many of you probably perform live around graduation time—at events like graduation thank-you parties, graduation live shows, or farewell gigs for departing members.
Of course, it’s great to play those memorable songs you performed many times while in school.
But since it’s a special occasion, a lot of you might be thinking about playing songs that fit the graduation theme!
Still, it’s not always easy to come up with graduation-themed songs…
So in this article, we’ll introduce plenty of popular graduation songs that are perfect for band performances.
We’ve selected not only band songs, but also singer-songwriter tracks that would work well with a band setup, so feel free to use this as a reference for choosing your setlist.
- [2026] Graduate with a Smile! Recommended Uplifting Graduation Songs
- [Recommended for High School Students] New Graduation Songs & Classic Tearjerkers Collection
- [For Graduates] Graduation Songs and Cheer Anthems to Convey Gratitude and Support
- Japanese Graduation Song Rankings [2026]
- [2026] A Collection of Youthful Songs to Play at Graduation Ceremonies [J-POP]
- [Heartfelt] A Collection of Japanese Graduation Songs to Sing and Play on Guitar [2026]
- Songs That Touch the Heart! Tearjerkers to Sing at Farewell Parties & A Collection of Song Ideas to Send Off
- [Great Lyrics!!] Recommended Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs with Heartfelt, Moving Words [2026]
- [Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026]
- [2026] A Collection of Graduation Songs Recommended for Gen Z [A Page of Youth]
- A collection of songs you’ll want to listen to when retiring from your school club [Youth]
- A graduation song that's trending and popular on TikTok. A perfect track for memory videos.
- [Moving] Heartfelt Japanese Songs Recommended for Graduation Season [2026]
[Graduation Live / Farewell Concert] Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Play with Your Band [2026] (81–90)
Live in the present.Saucy Dog
A perfect song for the fresh start that is graduation is Saucy Dog’s “I’ll Live in the Present.” With energetic sound and moving lyrics, it gives you the strength to look forward while reflecting on the past.
In particular, Shinya Ishihara’s richly expressive vocals are sure to move listeners’ hearts.
This song, which brings back memories of days passionately devoted to club activities and the bonds of friendship, is also ideal for a band performance.
Why not add a splash of color to your precious memories with your friends?
SO YOUNGTHE YELLOW MONKEY
This one by THE YELLOW MONKEY is full of mature charm and is highly recommended for band performances.
Its literary lyrics over a mid-tempo, dark groove leave a strong impression.
Your choice to play this at a graduation live show—excellent taste.
The chorus bursts open with a liberating feeling, like emerging from a tunnel; it’s truly one of those timeless, feel-good classics.
If I can laughUrufuruzu
Isn’t it somehow more wonderful to say goodbye with a smile than to part in tears? This is a song by the rock band Ulfuls, released in 2002 as their 24th single.
The lyrics speak to how hard it is to become an adult, yet how great it would be if we could just live life with a smile.
How about using this song at graduation so both those sending off and those being sent off can exchange cheers, hoping to become adults like that?
HOTARU NO HIKARISNAIL RAMP
A perfect song for graduation season! It features SNAIL RAMP’s distinctive sound, blending ska punk and melodic hardcore elements.
This arrangement of a traditional piece interweaves reflections on the past and future, portraying life’s journey and self-discovery.
Included on the album “GRAVITY,” released in January 2002, it became a popular track that reached No.
3 on the Oricon chart.
It’s a must-listen for students graduating and for anyone about to take a new step forward.
treasurewacci
This wacci song is one that really captures youth and friendship.
Reading the lyrics, you could see it as a cheer song for school clubs, but it’s also perfect for graduation ceremonies! As you strive toward a single goal, there are friends by your side working hard with you—its lyrics evoke memories with companions bound by a strong bond, which many graduates will surely relate to.
It’s a moving mid-tempo track that might move you to tears as you listen.
Released in August 2017, it’s a song I’d especially love for students in bands to hear.
I touched an angel!Hōkago Tī Taimu
It is a song that gently wraps the feelings of students at the milestone of graduation in warm, tender vocals.
While cherishing memories and friendship, it also sings of hope for the future.
Included on the album “Houkago Tea Time II,” the song was released in October 2010 and reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart.
It also achieved the remarkable feat of surpassing 100,000 copies in first-week sales—the first time ever for an album released under an anime character’s name.
It is a track that will resonate at graduations, farewell gatherings, and other moments when friends part ways and take a new step forward.
[Graduation Live / Farewell Party] Graduation Songs You Want to Perform with a Band [2026] (91–100)
graduation ceremonySARD UNDERGROUND
SARD UNDERGROUND is a three-piece band that debuted as a ZARD tribute act, and their covers of classic hits have been drawing attention.
Their fifth single, “Graduation Ceremony,” as the title suggests, features a refreshing melody and ensemble perfectly suited to graduation season.
The lyrical message, evoking the world of Izumi Sakai’s lyrics, is likely to resonate even with today’s younger generation who didn’t know ZARD in real time.
While a tribute band, their sound conveys a sense of modern evolution that strikes a chord—this is a track we hope listeners of all ages will hear.
