Tear-jerking classic graduation songs! Recommended tracks for graduation movie BGM
At graduation, it’s common to give a graduation video: from graduates to the teachers who supported them, from teachers to their students, or from current students to the graduating class.
A slideshow that looks back on memories or a message video dedicated to those who helped you is perfect for expressing gratitude.
But one thing many people struggle with when making such videos is choosing the BGM.
So, here are some songs that are perfect for the upcoming graduation season! Pick one track that conveys your feelings.
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Burst into tears with classic graduation songs! Recommended tracks for graduation movie BGM (101–110)
Bridge of Gloryyuzu
This work is characterized by a powerful, stirring melody and an uplifting message.
Its lyrics, which portray the journey of overcoming hardship and setbacks to strive for glory, resonate with many people.
Released in March 2004, it was used as NHK’s theme song for the Athens Olympics.
Yuzu’s warm vocals and the sound of acoustic guitar gently accompany the listener’s heart.
Loved as a song that supports life’s milestones—such as graduation and school entrance ceremonies—it’s a perfect companion.
When you need courage to face a new challenge, why not give this song a listen?
Kadode no Ippo (feat. CHICO CARLITO)ASOBOiSM
A warm song that gently accompanies those who are graduating.
This collaboration between ASOBOiSM and CHICO CARLITO was released in March 2024.
It portrays the mix of courage and anxiety that comes with leaving a familiar place, expressed through ASOBOiSM’s distinctive sound and CHICO CARLITO’s powerful rap.
Self-produced, the track showcases ASOBOiSM’s style to the fullest and resonates deeply with listeners.
It’s a song we especially recommend to anyone about to take a new step forward—it will surely give you a push.
Full of memoriesH₂O
This song cheers on a girl as she gradually grows up.
Its gentle melody and harmonies are very soothing.
The unique expression, “When you climb the staircase to adulthood, you’re still like Cinderella,” is truly lovely.
It’s uplifting to think, “Let’s grow up little by little,” because someday, when we’re adults looking back, we’ll be able to laugh about it.
Path of HopeSambomasutā
Sambomaster is a three-piece rock band.
The song they wrote specifically for the school drama “School” is called “Path of Hope.” It’s crafted as a message to graduating students, cheering them on by saying the future is full of hope.
The lyrics are uplifting and give you courage, so please take your time and listen closely.
The blues-like melody and powerful vocals are also part of its appeal.
With its relaxed tempo, it should pair well with slideshow-style videos.
On the day of departure…Kawashima Ai
Although it was released in 2006, the song had originally been performed by Ai Kawashima during her street live days, and I WiSH’s debut single, “Asu e no Tobira,” for which she was the vocalist, was created based on this song.
Its extremely gentle, soft sound and melody are captivating, giving the piece a calm and moving atmosphere.
Listening to the lyrics, which weave together many memories from school days and nostalgic scenes, overlaps with our own memories and loosens the tear ducts.
Burst into tears with classic graduation songs! Recommended tracks for graduation movie BGM (111–120)
Sky-blue DaysSHISHAMO
A song that feels like it directly captures the feelings of someone facing the major turning point of graduation.
It’s a track by SHISHAMO, released in March 2018, and it was also used as the CM song for Asahi Soft Drinks’ “Calpis Water.” Asako Miyazaki’s down-to-earth vocals gently embrace the complex emotions of students on the verge of graduating.
The everyday life that once felt so normal will be gone tomorrow.
While holding onto that loneliness and anxiety, the song also evokes hope for the future.
It’s perfect as background music for graduation ceremonies or graduation videos.
SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu
This is a song by Masaharu Fukuyama that wishes for a loved one’s path forward to be a happy one.
While it is a song about the loneliness of heartbreak, the idea of thinking about someone far away also evokes the image of a graduation ceremony.
Fukuyama’s gentle, conversational singing voice blends with the calm sound to create an impression that it might prompt you to face your own emotions.
If you reflect on your memories in keeping with the song’s gentle mood, you may realize just how precious that time truly was.
