Popular and recommended graduation songs on YouTube Shorts: a special feature of memorable classics
As graduation season approaches, you see lots of graduation songs on YouTube Shorts, don’t you? Many people are moved to tears by these seasonal, emotional tracks.
In this article, we’ll introduce heartfelt graduation songs—both those popular on YouTube Shorts and ones we especially recommend.
We’re sure these graduation songs that are trending in short videos will resonate with you.
You’re bound to find tracks you’ll want to save on your phone for the graduation season! We hope you discover wonderful, memory-filled songs you’ll want to share with everyone.
Popular and recommended graduation songs on YouTube Shorts: A collection of memorable classics (1–10)
Time ParadoxVaundy
With a musical style that freely crosses a wide range of genres, Vaundy has gained immense support, especially among young people.
Among his songs, this one carries a warm quality that gently resonates with the feelings of graduation season.
Despite its deliberately pared-down, simple arrangement, the melody—somehow nostalgic yet full of hope for the future—truly strikes a chord.
Released in February 2024 as his first CD single, it was written as the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita’s Earth Symphony.
The music video, directed by Vaundy himself and featuring Shota Sometani, also drew major attention.
Its message, which seems to connect the past and the future, makes it perfect for the season of new beginnings.
It’s a heartwarming track you’ll want to listen to while reflecting on the days spent with friends.
spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE
It’s included on rock band Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s sixth single, “Love me, Love you,” released in February 2018.
The song is said to have been written by vocalist Motoki Omori the day after his high school graduation ceremony, capturing his feelings exactly as they were at the time.
There’s a tenderness for days that, in hindsight, went by in a flash, and a loneliness you carry when you can’t quite be honest.
Many listeners may relate to the contradiction of thinking you hate your friends when, in truth, you really love them.
The track also became well known as the song used in Suntory’s “Craft Boss” commercial.
It’s a number that gently stays by your side if you’re feeling the sadness of parting with friends before graduation.
far; distant; by farGReeeeN
I’d like to introduce a moving ballad where the loneliness of leaving home intertwines with a strong will to pursue one’s dreams.
This work by GReeeeN expresses gratitude to the parents who raised us, and every listen warms the heart by reminding us of family love.
Released in May 2009 as their 11th single, it’s also famous as the theme song for the blockbuster film “ROOKIES: Graduation.” By setting aside the rap parts to let the vocals take center stage, the song resonates deeply.
It’s perfect not only for students about to leave home, but also for adults who’ve long been out in society and want to recall their original resolve.
Highly recommended as background music for graduation season or for videos expressing thanks to someone special.
March 9Remioromen
Now a standard graduation song, this is one of Remioromen’s signature tracks.
It’s well known that the song was originally written as a celebration for a friend’s wedding.
Even so, its seasonal mood—where farewells and new beginnings overlap—and its lyrics of gratitude make it a perfect fit as a graduation song as well.
Released as a single in March 2004, it later gained widespread recognition as an insert song in the drama “1 Litre of Tears,” which is how many people remember it.
The way it expresses how the presence of a dear person, who appears when you close your eyes, has given you strength—and the wish to be that presence for someone else—tightens listeners’ chests.
It’s also a popular choice for graduation ceremony choruses, and is a moving number that will continue to be sung for years to come.
Until we meet againHirai Dai
This is a moving ballad by singer-songwriter Dai Hirai, known for his surf music-inspired sound.
It portrays not only the sadness of parting, but also gratitude for having met and hope for meeting again, gently wrapping listeners’ hearts in warmth.
The scene of waving and saying “see you” along the usual tree-lined street is enough to make your chest tighten, isn’t it? The song is included on the album “Slow & Easy,” released in May 2015.
In its lyrics, you can feel the protagonist’s strong resolve to step into the future as the seasons change.
It’s a perfect track to accompany a montage that looks back on memories with dear friends at the moment of graduation—be sure to give it a listen.
Last SongOfisharu Higedan Dism
There’s a song that begins with a gentle, soothing piano tone, capturing the flood of feelings that come at the moment of parting.
It’s not just about loneliness; it’s filled with gratitude for the time spent together and a hopeful “let’s meet again,” which resonates with those about to graduate.
This moving ballad is a track included on Official HIGE DANDism’s album “Traveler,” released in October 2019.
It was also used as a drama insert song, adding depth to the story.
Satoshi Fujihara’s heartfelt vocals have the power to speak the words we can’t express.
Listen to it during your final moments with friends, and it will surely color an unforgettable page in your memories.
HarukaYOASOBI
This is a heartwarming collaboration between YOASOBI and broadcast writer Osamu Suzuki.
Based on the original novel “Tsuki Ōji” (Prince of the Moon), the story unfolds from the unique perspective of a mug that watches over its owner’s life.
The pure joy of having met and the warm love wishing for happiness are sure to make your heart flutter.
Released in December 2020, the song became a hot topic when it surpassed 100 million streams in June of the following year.
It is also included on the album THE BOOK and is familiar as the CM song for Takara Tomy’s “Punirunz.” If you’re facing graduation and feeling the sadness of parting from someone important, listening to this piece will help you once again appreciate the wonderful time you shared and the miracle of having met.
CorrectRADWIMPS
This piece was created for an event where music is made together with 18-year-olds across the country.
How will we face questions that have no fixed answers, unlike those taught in school? The lyrics, which sing about the beginning of a journey to find one’s own “right answer,” are sure to resonate with many people.
The words that portray encounters with irreplaceable friends and the farewells that eventually come also strike a chord, don’t they? The song was composed in 2018 for the NHK program “RADWIMPS 18 Festival” to be performed in chorus with young people, and its structure—unfolding from a beautiful piano-led melody into a grand band sound—is moving as well.
It’s a warm anthem of encouragement that we hope everyone facing the milestone of graduation, with mixed feelings of anxiety and anticipation, will listen to.
We againSG
Singer-songwriter SG, who has gained popularity mainly on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
When it comes to his graduation song, it’s the piece released in April 2021.
The song expresses the hope of “meeting again,” gently embracing the sadness of parting.
Set to a simple rhythm that’s easy to enjoy with handclaps, the lyrics evoke everyday memories—like the day you ate ice cream or the walk home where you laughed together in the rain—making them resonate in your heart.
The track was also featured in a Calorie Mate commercial starting in November 2024.
It’s a warm, encouraging song that makes you want to promise a reunion in the future with friends who are graduating and heading down their own paths.
YELLikimonogakari
An emotionally moving number by Ikimono-gakari, cherished as a staple graduation song.
Its lyrics don’t treat parting as something merely sad, but as a new beginning toward each person’s dreams—words that are sure to bring tears to your eyes.
Even while burdened by anxiety and inner conflict about the future—like having wings but being unable to fly—the image of confronting one’s own weakness and moving forward into tomorrow stirs everyone’s heart.
Released in September 2009 as a double A-side single alongside the bright, poppy “Joyful,” the song was also selected as a required piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.
Though gentle in tone, this powerful track resonates deeply, encouraging those taking a new step forward with the bonds of their friends in their hearts.