[For Middle Schoolers] Recommended Classic Songs to Sing at Graduation Ceremonies

DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE "Darling" Official Music Video

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE powerfully sings of the struggles and hopes of youth in this song, released in January 2025.

Created as the theme for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.

GREEN APPLE 18 Festival,” it featured a performance with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds that drew widespread acclaim.

Centered on the importance of living authentically as yourself, the piece delicately portrays the feelings of those weighed down by others’ expectations and social pressure.

Its message—keep moving forward by staying true to yourself and listening to your inner voice—is sure to resonate deeply with graduates taking their first steps toward a new chapter.

Blending an emotional melody with an energetic sound, this song offers courage for the future while looking back on days spent with friends.

spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Spring Melancholy

It’s a graduation song that makes you inevitably look back on your school life.

It’s a track by the rock band Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, included on “Love me, Love you,” released in 2018 as their sixth single.

I’ve heard the vocalist, Omori, wrote it the day after graduating high school, and those emotions are tightly sealed within the piece as they were.

The lyrics carry a message that will especially resonate with teenagers.

By the time you sing the final lines, you might find yourself in tears.

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Kitearashi

ARASHI – Kite [Official Music Video]

Like a kite soaring high on the wind, this song fills you with hope for the future.

Written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu, it was released by Arashi as a single in July 2020.

Created as the “NHK 2020 Song,” it also drew attention for its first performance from the National Stadium during the 70th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen at the end of 2019.

Centered on warm piano and strings, the sound gently supports the feeling of wanting to move forward despite uncertainty.

Rather than flashiness, its straightforward words strike a chord and softly give listeners a push.

It’s perfect for those who want to sing their gratitude to friends who are about to take different paths, or to find the courage to step into a new environment.

When voices come together, you can create a special memory that echoes across the sky at graduation.

Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu

Yuzu “Friend ~The Time of Departure~”

When moving on to high school, there are times when you have to part ways with close friends.

As a song to give to such a best friend, I highly recommend this one.

It’s a track by Yuzu, a musical duo that has long been at the forefront of the Japanese music scene, released in 2013 as their 38th single.

It drew attention when it was selected as a required piece for the 80th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.

The warm sound and vocals are truly soothing.

Try singing it while reminiscing about the school days you spent with your friends.

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OrangeSPYAIR

SPYAIR “Orange” Music Video (Theme Song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle: The Movie)

While carrying the sorrow of parting, yet moving forward with the hope of meeting again—let us introduce a SPYAIR song that captures exactly that feeling.

Released in February 2024, this track was written as the theme song for the anime film Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle.

Its lyrics paint a bittersweet scene reminiscent of a sunset sky, filled with gratitude for the days spent with friends and a positive message that believes in future reunions.

With total streams surpassing 100 million, it’s a song that has captured the hearts of many listeners.

SPYAIR is a band that has collaborated with the Haikyu!! series for many years, and this work could be called the culmination of that partnership.

It’s perfect for those who feel anxious about taking separate paths after graduation, yet want to say with a smile, “Let’s meet again.” Its powerful yet warm rock sound will give you the courage to take a new step forward!

IchibanboshiSnow Man

Snow Man “Ichibanboshi” Rec Video

A cheering song that gently gives you a push while staying close to your weakness and doubt.

Included on the regular edition of Snow Man’s sixth single, “Brother Beat,” released in March 2022, this track quietly makes its presence felt with a message that seeps into the heart, even as the title song drew attention as the theme for the film Osomatsu-san.

It acknowledges that there are nights when you can’t even accept words of encouragement, that you don’t have to reject the version of yourself who ends up in tears, and it carefully scoops up such delicate emotions, ultimately arriving at the warmth of “you’re not alone”—a progression that resonates deeply.

The choral feel of the nine voices overlapping is also perfect for graduation scenes, where you can truly sense the bonds with your companions.

It’s a song that gently stays by the side of those who are anxious about a new environment or feel like things aren’t going well even though they want to do their best.

About meMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Me (Chorus Version) by Kanagawa Prefectural Shonan High School Choir

A grand rock ballad from Mrs.

GREEN APPLE that resonates deeply—an anthem to life.

Centered on themes of self-acceptance and growth, its lyrics strikingly embrace the joys and sorrows of everyday life with positivity.

Released in January 2019, an orchestral arrangement was later featured from November 2022 in the Calorie Mate exam-season support series commercials.

Also used as the support song for the 97th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, this piece is perfect for middle schoolers feeling anxious about new environments.

It’s a graduation-worthy track that gives you the courage to face forward while cherishing your own individuality.