[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 Tearjerkers (41–50)
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!
[Recommended for High School Students] New Graduation Songs & Classic Tearjerkers (51–60)
cherry blossomKobukuro
Sakura, with its gentle twin vocals that feel like they’re celebrating the start of a new chapter at graduation, is a song released by Kobukuro in 2005.
There are times in the season when cherry blossoms dance that make you feel a twinge of sadness, aren’t there? Songs that stay close to unspoken feelings and sorrow can be what nudges us into adulthood.
The lyrics, which highlight the beauty of the Japanese language, are also captivating, letting you sense tenderness within a sentimental mood.
Brimming with the atmosphere of the transition from winter to spring, this track is highly recommended for anyone approaching graduation!
proofflumpool
A single by flumpool released in 2011, “Akashi” (Proof).
The song was written as the set piece for that year’s NHK National School Music Competition, junior high division.
When we think of graduation, what comes to mind is, of course, parting with friends.
Friendships continue even after graduation, but the feelings are still sad and hard to accept, aren’t they? And many people probably feel too shy to seriously express their feelings to friends and have never actually done it.
If you feel embarrassed, it might be nice to send them a song like this instead.
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.”
I’m glad I met you.Inoue Sonoko
It’s a song I want many people to hear, because the lyrics are relatable both as a song to someone you’re romantically interested in and as a song to a dear friend.
Sonoko Inoue’s voice is so cute that listening to it makes me feel happy.
It’s wonderful to feel that even though being apart is lonely, you’re glad you were able to meet.
OrangeSPYAIR
A song by SPYAIR that has become a hot topic as the theme for the film Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle.
With its heartwarming message and moving melody, it has captivated many listeners.
Centered on encounters, bonds, and partings within limited time, it conveys the importance of not saying goodbye, holding onto the hope of meeting again, and continuing to move forward while carrying big dreams.
Released on February 14, 2024, this track marks SPYAIR’s fourth collaboration with the Haikyu!! series.
It’s perfect as a graduation song or a retirement song for school clubs, reminding us to keep facing forward no matter what.
It’s a song that resonates with listeners across genres—be sure to give it a listen.
Bridge of Gloryyuzu
The song “Eikou no Kakehashi” (“Bridge of Glory”) makes you feel that the days you’ve overcome and all your hard work were never in vain, making it a perfect track for those graduating.
Its lyrics remind us that the times we were on the verge of breaking and shed tears have actually made us stronger and given us the courage to move forward.
Since its release in 2004, it has been loved by many.
It makes you feel that the joys and sorrows you experienced in school were what connected you to tomorrow.
It’s a song that gives a gentle push to those stepping into the next chapter.