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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Cry your eyes out with classic graduation songs! Recommended tracks for graduation movie BGM (141–150)
We Look Up to You with Respect
I think many people sang this song at their graduation ceremonies, but I recently saw an article saying it’s not sung as often at graduations nowadays.
Even so, when people hear “graduation,” I imagine many still think of this song.
The lyrics express feelings of gratitude toward teachers and friends, making it a perfect fit as a graduation song.
Light of Firefliesinagaki chie
Hotaru no Hikari is surely one of the songs that best represents Japan.
I think everyone has sung it at least once.
It’s also a staple in music classes.
The original melody is the Scottish folk song Auld Lang Syne.
The Japanese lyrics were written by Chikashi Inagaki.
It’s also well known as a mixed-chorus piece.
It’s a masterpiece of Japan that I hope everyone will listen to at least once.
Precious thingsSakushi Sakkyoku Yamazaki Tomoko
During your youthful school days, you’ll likely spend time with many friends, and among them, there will be some you can call lifelong friends.
These lyrics are charming in the way they overflow with gratitude for the bond shaped by the irreplaceable moments you spent together.
Crying with classic graduation songs! Recommended tracks for graduation movie BGM (151–160)
oneselfTani Yuuki
The translucent singing voice resonates deep in the heart.
Tani Yuuki’s song is a perfect fit for the graduation season.
Released digitally in March 2022, it was featured in a web-exclusive UQ mobile commercial.
The lyrics, which sing of a journey to find one’s true self, leave a strong impression.
The gentle piano tones and powerful vocals beautifully capture both the anxiety and the hope that come with a new environment.
Listening to this track will give you the courage to believe in yourself.
It’s a highly recommended song for anyone taking a new step forward—and it’s perfect as background music for graduation videos, too.
The season of farewellSHISHAMO
This song features a girl as the protagonist, harboring bittersweet feelings for an upperclassman she has a crush on.
“Sayonara no Kisetsu,” released in 2015 by the all-girl band SHISHAMO.
It’s a track we’d recommend not only to graduating students, but also to the underclassmen seeing them off.
The senior she’s always admired and chased after is going to graduate.
She knew it was coming, yet she couldn’t confess her feelings—nor can she give up.
The song is filled with an achingly helpless longing.
It’s a perfect pick for when you want to convey your feelings, carried by SHISHAMO’s bittersweet band sound that evokes youthful days.
Song of the Lunchbox — A Letter to YouHanzaki Yoshiko
It portrays the daily act of making lunchboxes with love and was also featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” It’s a heartwarming song that brings back memories of everyday mornings, whether listened to by parents or graduating students.
It fills you with gratitude for your parents.
It’s the perfect song to say “thank you” at this milestone.
Passwordsakura shimeji
Aikotoba is filled with down-to-earth words.
It’s a song released by the folk duo Sakura Shimeji.
Toshiharu Naka, who has produced numerous hit songs, wrote it as a heartfelt cheer for high school students who were his peers at the time.
Thanks to that, it succeeds in portraying the delicate emotions you can only feel in high school.
With its Japanese-inspired sound, it should pair well with calm, understated videos.
The music video, which makes clever use of reverse playback, might also be a helpful reference.
