[Recommended for High School Students] New Graduation Songs & Classic Tearjerkers Collection
Going on to university or junior college, getting a job… Once you graduate from high school and begin walking your own path, some of you may leave your hometown.
You might feel uneasy or lonely at times.
At graduation—the final moments spent with the friends you shared so much time with—your heart is sure to swirl with many emotions: gratitude toward classmates, teachers, and parents, and the joy of stepping closer to adulthood.
In this article, we introduce graduation songs that will be right there with your feelings.
These timeless tunes that resonate with your heart are sure to shine a bright light on your future.
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[Recommended for High School Students] New Graduation Songs & Classic Tearjerker Song Collection (21–30)
road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE
This song by EXILE was released in 2007.
The original version is cool, but the choral arrangement is also powerful and wonderful.
It really shows how much a song’s image can change depending on who’s singing it and how many people are performing.
The piano accompaniment is also moving.
What’s more, this song has been selected by the National Karaoke Business Association as a “Recommended Song for Graduation Season,” so it might be one of the ultimate graduation songs.
The choral version was arranged by Kan Wakamatsu.
far; distant; by farGReeeeN
This song by GReeeeN, released in 2009 as the theme for the film ROOKIES -Graduation-, has a title that says it all, and its content makes it a perfect fit for graduation.
Singing it at a graduation ceremony is sure to get everyone excited and turn it into a lifelong memory.
The choral arrangement has become a staple at junior high school graduation ceremonies across Japan.
It reportedly became a million-seller as a ringtone in June 2009 and as a full-length ringtone in October, which shows just how popular it is.
[Recommended for High School Students] New Graduation Songs & Classic Inspirational Songs (31–40)
Thank youFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
As you graduate, it’s important to sing about friendship, hope, and anticipation, but isn’t it even more important to express gratitude—to say thank you—to the people who have supported you up to now? This 2013 release by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS is a song that straightforwardly conveys such thanks.
When performed as a choral piece, it becomes even more powerful and memorable, so why not have all the third-year students sing it together, filled with gratitude for all the people who have been there for you?
CHARMWANIMA
WANIMA, known for their straightforward lyrics and Japanese rock sound, is popular across a wide range of generations.
This song is included on WANIMA’s third single “Gotta Go!!,” released in 2017.
WANIMA is well-loved for friendship-themed songs and tracks that lift you up when you’re feeling down; this song, too, conveys feelings toward friends, and will likely resonate with those approaching graduation.
Though there may be various anxieties, by the time you finish listening you’ll feel refreshed—truly a song that serves like a “good-luck charm.”
bookmarkkuriipuhaipe
Originally written and composed by CreepHyp’s Seikai Ozaki as a campaign song for FM802 and TSUTAYA in 2018, this track is included on the album “Nakitakunaru Hodo Ureshii Hibi ni.” Its lyrics juxtapose the image of falling cherry blossoms with a “bookmark” tucked into a half-read book, evoking lingering feelings for a relationship one isn’t ready to end—sentiments many graduates may relate to.
While the song portrays the sorrow of parting, the music itself is a bright, fast-paced rock tune.
That contrast gently pushes listeners forward into the future, even as they hold on to their loneliness.
It’s an emotional track that tenderly accompanies the wavering heart at the milestone of graduation.
Let’s go together.GReeeeN
A song by the four-member music group GReeeeN, also featured in au’s Santaro (Three Taro) commercial series.
We don’t know what lies ahead, but let’s keep running as usual—this uplifting message is sung over a driving, fast-paced performance.
It’s a fresh and bright number that’s perfect as a graduation song for the energetic high school years.
Sakura, Bloom!arashi
Amid many cherry blossom songs that bring tears, this one is a very bright, hope-filled track about sakura.
Its forward-looking lyrics—don’t look back, keep your eyes ahead, you can change the future with your own power—are perfect for the spring season.
It seems versatile as a transition piece after a quiet ceremony.
It’s a graduation hype song packed with Arashi’s energy and cheerfulness!