Western Music Entrance/Graduation Song Rankings [2026]

PhotographNickelback26rank/position

Nickelback – Photograph

Just hearing the beginning of the song is enough to move you deeply.

The vocals are wonderfully resonant—husky and seasoned, yet they sink straight into your heart.

With straightforward expression, this track sings of a beautiful past and a future that promises to be just as beautiful.

What Was I Made For?Billie Eilish27rank/position

Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For? (Official Music Video)

A song perfectly suited to color a new beginning is Billie Eilish’s signature track “What Was I Made For?”.

Released on July 13, 2023, it was created for the film Barbie and strongly reflects that world.

It embodies the movie’s message through music, prompting each listener to question their own life and aiding in self-discovery.

Wondering what we were born for is something everyone experiences, and young people in particular often struggle with their identities.

While it might feel somewhat somber for an entrance ceremony, Billie’s wistful yet emotional vocals and melody, along with the lyrics, will gently encourage teenagers who are carrying various anxieties.

StarlightMuse28rank/position

Muse – Starlight [Official Music Video]

MUSE often has relatively dark themes and tones.

However, I think their melodic sense shines most in brighter songs.

Their sound design, which evokes new departures and fresh beginnings, is something I’d love to hear at an entrance ceremony.

While it doesn’t have much speed, it’s a track that leaves you feeling refreshed.

You Get What You GiveNew Radicals29rank/position

New Radicals – You Get What You Give (Official Music Video)

A song that blows away any anxieties.

A simple beat, an irresistibly pop sound, and a distinctive, floating melody.

Just listening to it makes you feel happy.

It’s perfect for entrance ceremonies and the start of new days.

FlyNicki Minaj ft. Rihanna30rank/position

Nicki Minaj – Fly ft. Rihanna

A true collaboration of today’s Black singer queens, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna.

It’s a song that celebrates hard workers who strive to move forward, even though the path is surely not an easy one.

It’s also a perfect track for freshmen about to embark on a new chapter.