[Recommended for High School Students] New Graduation Songs & Classic Tearjerkers Collection

Stand by MeSaucy Dog

Stand By Me

A gem of a song that poignantly portrays the heartbreak and hope of youth.

As one of Saucy Dog’s signature tracks, it has captured the hearts of many young listeners.

Included on the mini-album “Blue Period,” released in October 2019, this piece delicately expresses the confusion and inner conflict unique to adolescence.

Shinya Ishihara’s warm vocals gently accompany the complex emotions of high school students facing graduation.

With lyrics that speak to the importance of friendship and the mix of anxiety and anticipation for the future, it’s perfect for graduation ceremonies and moments of reminiscing.

As a culmination of the band’s six-year journey since their formation, this song is sure to resonate deeply with all who hear it.

threadBank Band

Ito (Thread) — Bank Band

Like the way you’ve woven relationships with many people at school, Bank Band’s “Ito” conveys the hope that you’ll continue to meet all kinds of people and walk a wonderful path in life.

Included on the 2004 album Oishi Souai, this song is a cover of Miyuki Nakajima’s original.

It was also used as the theme song for the drama “Assistance Dog Musashi: Let’s Go to School!” and in a Sumitomo Life commercial.

The joy of meeting people is something you likely discovered through encounters with friends and teachers.

By carrying that into the future, a bright tomorrow surely awaits—this song inspires that feeling.

Sing it with the wish for the wonderful encounters yet to come.

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our daysHey! Say! JUMP

"Our days" Hey! Say! JUMP - Tried playing it on piano

This is a message song for a dear friend who has always been by my side and helped me.

It’s a song that lets you recall your gratitude and precious feelings toward your friend and fills you with warmth, as you think, “I’ll never forget that you were always there for me and helped me.” It’s a song that makes you feel grateful we met.

BELIEVESugimoto Ryuichi

Believe

Composed and written by Ryuichi Sugimoto, this song was released in 1998 as the third ending theme for the NHK program “Ikimono Chikyū Kikō” (The Living Earth).

It is often sung in kindergarten and school graduation ceremonies, and its popularity grew further through covers by Azumi Inoue and V6.

With clear, accessible lyrics that encourage children as they move toward the future, it is a truly wonderful song.

Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu

Macaroni Enpitsu “Youth and a Moment” MV

Here’s the refreshing coming-of-age song by Macaroni Empitsu that was even featured in a McDonald’s commercial: “Seishun to Isshun” (Youth and a Moment).

Macaroni Empitsu’s tracks always seem to scratch just the right itch, don’t they? This song is sprinkled with relatable moments that any high schooler has probably experienced at least once, making you think, “I still want to savor my youth a little longer…” It’s a song you’ll want to listen to together, laughing, after a tearful graduation ceremony.

Don’t miss the super-cute music video, shot in vocalist Hattori’s hometown of Yamanashi, where he spent his teenage years!

Best FriendKiroro

Kiroro ｢Best Friend｣ Official Music Video

For the milestone of graduating from high school, Kiroro’s “Best Friend” is an indispensable song for graduation ceremony BGM.

Along with the joy of a new beginning, painful and lonely farewells inevitably arrive.

This song gently embraces those feelings and offers hope for the future.

Used as the theme song for the drama “Churasan,” it resonated with many people.

It’s perfect for singing with gratitude to friends, teachers, and parents, and its melody is friendly and easy to sing at karaoke.

A heartwarming classic I highly recommend to every high school student stepping into graduation.

pupilŌhara Sakurako

Sakurako Ohara – Hitomi (Music Video Short ver.)

I think graduating and moving on to a new path can make you feel anxious.

At times like that, listening to this song will make you feel, “It’s okay, let’s do our best.” Sakurako Ohara’s gentle yet powerful voice lifts your spirits and makes you feel positive.

I felt that if you listen to this song with your friends during graduation season, it will make everyone think, “Even if we go our separate ways, let’s keep doing our best.”