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In this list of over 100 graduation songs, you’ll find the perfect tune for every kind of grad moment — whether you’re curating the playlist for a party, looking for songs about celebration to play on repeat, or searching for lyrics about graduation that truly speak to this turning point in life. These songs for graduation cross genres, decades, and moods, but all of them share one thing in common: they capture the joy, reflection, and excitement that come with moving forward.

1. “Graduation (Friends Forever),” by Vitamin C

Lyrics you’ll love: “As we go on, we remember / All the times we had together / And as our lives change, come whatever / We will still be friends forever

2. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” by Green Day

Lyrics you’ll love: “It’s something unpredictable / But in the end, it’s right / I hope you had the time of your life”

3. “Firework,” by Katy Perry

Lyrics you’ll love: “‘Cause, baby, you’re a firework / Come on, show ’em what you’re worth”

4. “My Future,” by Billie Eilish

Lyrics you’ll love: “‘Cause I, I’m in love / With my future / Can’t wait to meet her”

5. “See You Again,” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth

Lyrics you’ll love: “We’ve come a long way from where we began / Oh, I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again”

6. “Unwritten,” by Natasha Bedingfield

Lyrics you’ll love: “Live your life with arms wide open / Today is where your book begins / The rest is still unwritten”

7. “Breakaway,” by Kelly Clarkson

Lyrics you’ll love: “I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly / I’ll do what it takes ’til I touch the sky”

8. “Long Live,” by Taylor Swift

Lyrics you’ll love: “I said remember this feeling / I passed the pictures around / Of all the years that we stood there on the sidelines / Wishing for right now”

9. “End of the Road,” by Boyz II Men

Lyrics you’ll love: “Although we’ve come to the end of the road / Still, I can’t let go“

10. “Goodbye,” by Spice Girls

Lyrics you’ll love: “Just a little girl, big imagination / Never letting no one take it away”

11. “Rivers and Roads,” by The Head and the Heart

Lyrics you’ll love: “A year from now we’ll all be gone / All our friends will move away / And they’re goin’ to better places / But our friends will be gone away”

12. “I Hope You Dance,” by Lee Ann Womack

Lyrics you’ll love: “I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance / Never settle for the path of least resistance / Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin'”

13. “Float On,” by Modest Mouse

Lyrics you’ll love: “Already, we’ll all float on / No, don’t you worry, we’ll all float on, alright”

14. “Closing Time,” by Semisonic

Lyrics you’ll love: “Closing time, open all the doors / And let you out into the world”

15. “We Are Young,” by fun. ft. Janelle Monáe

Lyrics you’ll love: “Tonight / We are young / So let’s set the world on fire / We can burn brighter than the sun”

16. “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen),” by Baz Luhrmann

Lyrics you’ll love: “Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle / For as the older you get / The more you need the people you knew when you were young”

17. “Little Wonders,” by Rob Thomas

Lyrics you’ll love: “Let it go / Let it roll right off your shoulder / Don’t you know? / The hardest part is over”

18. “The Climb,” by Miley Cyrus

Lyrics you’ll love: “I may not know it / But these are the moments, that / I’m gonna remember most, yeah”

19. “100 Years,” by Five for Fighting

Lyrics you’ll love: “Hey 15, there’s never a wish better than this / When you only got 100 years to live”

20. “Photograph,” by Nickelback

Lyrics you’ll love: “I miss that town / I miss their faces / You can’t erase / You can’t replace it / I miss it now”

21. “Good Old Days,” by Macklemore feat. Kesha 

Lyrics you’ll love: “I wish somebody would have told me, babe / Someday, these will be the good old days”

22. “Moment 4 Life,” by Nicki Minaj ft. Drake

Lyrics you’ll love: “I wish that I could have this moment for life, for life, for life / ‘Cause in this moment, I just feel so alive, alive, alive”

23. “Sing,” by My Chemical Romance

Lyrics you’ll love: “Sing it out / Boy, you’ve got to see what tomorrow brings / Sing it out / Girl, you’ve got to be what tomorrow needs”

24. “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” by Taylor Swift

Lyrics you’ll love: “From sprinkler splashes to fireplace ashes / I gave my blood, sweat, and tears for this”

25. “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare),” by Kid Cudi 

Lyrics you’ll love: “I’m on the pursuit of happiness and I know / Everything that shine ain’t always gonna be gold, hey”

26. “Dancing Queen,” by ABBA

Lyrics you’ll love: “You are the dancing queen / Young and sweet, only seventeen“

27. “All My Friends,” by LCD Soundsystem

Lyrics you’ll love: “And if it’s crowded, all the better / Because we know we’re gonna be up late”

28. “How Far We’ve Come,” by Matchbox 20

Lyrics you’ll love: “Yeah, well, I believe it all is comin’ to an end / Oh well, I guess we’re gonna pretend / Let’s see how far we’ve come” 

29. “Congratulations,” by Post Malone feat. Quavo

Lyrics you’ll love: “I dreamed it all ever since I was young / They said I wouldn’t be nothing / Now they always say congratulations”

30. “Am I Wrong,” by Nico & Vinz

Lyrics you’ll love: “If one thing I know, how far would I grow? / I’m walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home”

31. “About Damn Time,” by Lizzo

Lyrics you’ll love: “Turn up the music, let’s celebrate (alright) / I’ve got a feeling I’m gon’ be okay

32. “I Can,” by Nas

Lyrics you’ll love: “I know I can (I know I can) / Be what I wanna be (be what I wanna be) / If I work hard at it (if I work hard at it) / I’ll be where I wanna be (I’ll be what I wanna be)”

33. “I Will Remember You,” by Sarah McLachlan

Lyrics you’ll love: “I will remember you / Will you remember me? / Don’t let your life pass you by / Weep not for the memories”

34. “When We Were Young,” by Adele

Lyrics you’ll love: “You still look like a movie, you still sound like a song / My God, this reminds me of when we were young”

35. “It’s Time,” by Imagine Dragons

Lyrics you’ll love: “I’m just the same as I was / Now don’t you understand? / That I’m never changing who I am”

36. “Miles Apart,” by Yellowcard

Lyrics you’ll love: “A new life to start / I may be leaving but you’re always in my heart”

37. “To Sir With Love,” by Lulu

Lyrics you’ll love: “The time has come  For closing books and long last looks must end / And as I leave / I know that I am leaving my best friend”

38. “With a Little Help From My Friends,” by The Beatles

Lyrics you’ll love: “Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends / Mm, I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends”

39. “Lean on Me,” by Bill Withers

Lyrics you’ll love: “Lean on me when you’re not strong / And I’ll be your friend / I’ll help you carry on”

40. “Baba O’Riley (Teenage Wasteland),” by The Who

Lyrics you’ll love: “Don’t cry, don’t raise your eye / It’s only teenage wasteland”

41. “Vienna,” by Billy Joel

Lyrics you’ll love: “But you know that when the truth is told / That you can get what you want or you can just get old”

42. “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2),” by Pink Floyd

Lyrics you’ll love: “Hey, teacher, leave us kids alone / All in all, you’re just another brick in the wall”

43. “Here’s to the Night,” by Eve 6

Lyrics you’ll love: “Here’s to the nights we felt alive / Here’s to the tears you knew you’d cry / Here’s to goodbye / Tomorrow’s gonna come too soon”

44. “Graduation Day,” by Head Automatica

Lyrics you’ll love: “Graduation Day, Graduation Day / We take back everything we said about you”

45. “Going Away to College,” by Blink-182

Lyrics you’ll love: “I haven’t been this scared in a long time / And I’m so unprepared”

46. “School’s Out,” by Alice Cooper

Lyrics you’ll love: “Well, we got no class / And we got no principals (ooh) / And we got no intelligence / We can’t even think of a word that rhymes, well”

47. “Times Like These,” by Foo Fighters

Lyrics you’ll love: “I, I’m a new day rising / I’m a brand-new sky to hang the stars upon tonight”

48. “Tonight, Tonight,” by The Smashing Pumpkins

Lyrics you’ll love: “Time is never time at all / You can never ever leave / Without leaving a piece of youth”

49. “Adventure of a Lifetime,” by Coldplay

Lyrics you’ll love: “Turn your magic on, to me she’d say  Everything you want’s a dream away”

50. “Celebration,” by Kool & The Gang

Lyrics you’ll love: “For there’s a party goin’ on right here / A celebration to last throughout the years / So bring your good times, and your laughter too”

51. “Change,” by Taylor Swift”

Lyrics you’ll love: “And the battle was long, it’s the fight of our lives / But we’ll stand up champions tonight”

52. “Graduate, by Handsome Ghost

Lyrics you’ll love: “We make the same mistakes / Ride this wave until it breaks / Tell me honey when we’re gonna graduate”

53. “Seasons of Love,” by RENT

Lyrics you’ll love: “Let’s celebrate, remember a year / In the life of friends”

54. “You’ve Got a Friend,” by James Taylor

Lyrics you’ll love: “Winter, spring, summer, or fall yeah / All you got to do is call / And I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah”

55. “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” by Simple Minds

Lyrics you’ll love: “Slow change may pull us apart / When the light gets into your heart, baby / Don’t you, forget about me”

56. “Ribs,” by Lorde

Lyrics you’ll love: “This dream isn’t feeling sweet, we’re reeling through the midnight streets / And I’ve never felt more alone, feels so scary getting old”

57. “Don’t Look Back,” by Boston

Lyrics you’ll love: “I finally see the dawn arrivin’ / I see beyond the road I’m drivin'”

58. “Hey Look Ma, I Made It,” by Panic! at the Disco

Lyrics you’ll love: “Hey look ma, I made it / Everything’s comin’ up aces, aces

59. “The Middle,” by Jimmy Eat World

Lyrics you’ll love: “It just takes some time / Little girl, you’re in the middle of the ride / Everything, everything’ll be just fine”

60. “Imagine,” by John Lennon

Lyrics you’ll love: “You may say I’m a dreamer / But I’m not the only one”

61. “Graduation Day,” by The Beach Boys

Lyrics you’ll love: “Graduation day / Though we leave in sorrow / All the joys we’ve known / We can face tomorrow / Knowing we’ll never walk alone”

62. “No Such Thing,” by John Mayer

Lyrics you’ll love: “I just found out there’s no such thing as the real world / Just a lie you’ve got to rise above”

63. “Forever Young,” by Alphaville

Lyrics you’ll love: “Forever young / I want to be forever young”

64. “Memories,” by Maroon 5

Lyrics you’ll love: “There’s a time that I remember when I did not know no pain / When I believed in forever and everything would stay the same“

65. “I Gotta Feeling,” by Black Eyed Peas

Lyrics you’ll love: “I got a feelin’ / That tonight’s gonna be a good night”

66. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” by Journey

Lyrics you’ll love: “Don’t stop believin’ / Hold on to that feelin'”

67. “Extraordinary,” by Mandy Moore

Lyrics you’ll love: “And now I’m ready to be / Extraordinary”

68. “You Get What You Give,” by New Radicals

Lyrics you’ll love: “You’ve got the music in you / Don’t let go / You’ve got the music in you / One dance left”

69. “Good Feeling,” by Flo Rida

Lyrics you’ll love: “Got adrenaline, never giving in  Giving up’s not an option, gotta get it in”

70. “Industry Baby,” by Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow

Lyrics you’ll love: “And this one is for the champions / I ain’t lost since I began, yeah”

71. “This Could Be the Year,” by Ryan Star

Lyrics you’ll love: “This could be the year / This could be the moment you’ve been waiting / Your whole life to show the world the cards you’re holding”

72. “Counting Stars,” by OneRepublic

Lyrics you’ll love: “Old, but I’m not that old / Young, but I’m not that bold / And I don’t think the world is sold / On just doin’ what we’re told”

73. “Life is a Highway,” by Rascal Flatts

Lyrics you’ll love: “To break down the garden gate / There’s not much time left today, yeah”

74. “We Are the Champions,” by Queen

Lyrics you’ll love: “We are the champions, my friends / And we’ll keep on fighting till the end”

75. “Hero,” by Mariah Carey

Lyrics you’ll love: “So when you feel like hope is gone / Look inside you and be strong / And you’ll finally see the truth / That a hero lies in you”

76. “You’re Gonna Miss This,” by Trace Adkins

Lyrics you’ll love: “These are some good times, so take a good look around / You may not know it now, but you’re gonna miss this”

77. “Thank You for Being a Friend,” by Andrew Gold

Lyrics you’ll love: “I’m not ashamed to say / I hope it always will stay this way / My hat is off / Won’t you stand up and take a bow”

78. “Wide Open Spaces,” by The Chicks

Lyrics you’ll love: “She needs wide open spaces / Room to make her big mistakes / She needs new faces/ She knows the high stakes”

79. “I Was Here,” by Beyoncé

Lyrics you’ll love: “I will leave my mark so everyone will know / I was here”

80. “Don’t Blink,” by Kenny Chesney

Lyrics you’ll love: “‘Cause when your hourglass runs out of sand / You can’t flip it over and start again / Take every breathe God gives you for what it’s worth”

81. “Mountains,” by Lonestar

Lyrics you’ll love: “Graveyard shifts, two big tips / Makin’ every quarter count / Was worth it all to see her son / In that cap an’ gown”

82. “Landslide,” by Fleetwood Mac

Lyrics you’ll love: “But time makes you bolder / Even children get older / And I’m gettin’ older, too”

83. “Back Home,” by Andy Grammer

Lyrics you’ll love: “See, we won’t forget where we came from / The city won’t change us”

84. “The Best Day,” by Taylor Swift

Lyrics you’ll love: “And I love you for giving me your eyes / For staying back and watching me shine”

85. “Rise Up,” by Andra Day

Lyrics you’ll love: “And I’ll rise up / I’ll rise like the day / I’ll rise up / I’ll rise unafraid”

86. “Prom,” by Sza

Lyrics you’ll love: “Fearin’ not growin’ up (growin’ up) / Keepin’ me up at night (night) / Am I doin’ enough? (Enough) / Feel like I’m wastin’ time, oh, yeah”

87. “Hall of Fame,” by The Script ft. will.i.am

Lyrics you’ll love: “Standing in the Hall of Fame / And the world’s gonna know your name / ‘Cause you burn with the brightest flame”

88. “Graduation”, by Benny Blanco and Juice WRLD

Lyrics you’ll love: “What I didn’t know was this grown-up world (This grown-up world) / Was just school in a blown-up world (This blown-up world)”

89. “Brave,” by Sara Bareilles

Lyrics you’ll love: “Say what you wanna say / And let the words fall out / Honestly I wanna see you be brave”

90. “On Top of the World,” by Imagine Dragons

Lyrics you’ll love: “Been dreaming of this since a child / I’m on top of the world”

91. “The Best Day of My Life,” by American Authors

Lyrics you’ll love: “I had a dream so big and loud / I jumped so high, I touched the clouds”

92. “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles

Lyrics you’ll love: “Here comes the sun / And I say, it’s all right”

93. “I’ll Be There for You,” by The Rembrandts

Lyrics you’ll love: “I’ll be there for you (When the rain starts to pour) / I’ll be there for you (Like I’ve been there before)

94. “A Little Ray of Sunshine,” by Axiom

Lyrics you’ll love: “My little ray of sunshine has come into the world / My little ray of sunshine in the shape of a girl”

95. “Don’t Stop Me Now,” by Queen

Lyrics you’ll love: “Tonight, I’m gonna have myself a real good time / I feel alive / And the world, I’ll turn it inside out, yeah”

96. “Happy,” by Pharrell Williams

Lyrics you’ll love: “Can’t nothing (Happy, happy, happy, happy) bring me down / My level’s too high to (Happy, happy, happy, happy) bring me down”

97. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” by Whitney Houston

Lyrics you’ll love: “Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody / With somebody who loves me”

98. “Walking on Sunshine,” by Katrina and the Waves

Lyrics you’ll love: “I’m walking on sunshine, woooah / I’m walking on sunshine, woooah / And don’t it feel good!!”

99. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!,” by Justin Timberlake

Lyrics you’ll love: “Ooh, it’s something magical / It’s in the air, it’s in my blood, it’s rushin’ on “

100. “Shake It Off,” by Taylor Swift

Lyrics you’ll love: “But I keep cruisin’  Can’t stop, won’t stop movin’  It’s like I got this music in my mind / Sayin’, ‘It’s gonna be alright'”

101. “Roar,” by Katy Perry

Lyrics you’ll love: “You hear my voice, you hear that sound / Like thunder, gonna shake the ground”

102. “Fight Song,” by Rachel Platten

Lyrics you’ll love: “I might only have one match / But I can make an explosion”

103 “Happy Together,” by The Turtles

Lyrics you’ll love: “The only one for me is you / And you for me / So happy together”

Related Resources on Graduation Songs

No matter what your next step looks like, the right graduation song can help you honor the past and embrace the future. From timeless classics to modern-day hits, these tracks are more than just music — they’re a reminder that every ending is also a beginning. So press play, turn it up, and let the celebration begin.

Additional Resources:

• Graduation Announcements
• Graduation Party Invitations
• Graduation Gifts
• Graduation Party Decor
• Graduation Yard Signs
• Graduation Announcement Wording
• Graduation Quotes

The post 100 of the Best Graduation Songs for 2026 appeared first on Ideas & Inspiration.

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Jump to:

• How To Wear A Graduation Cap
• Graduation Hairstyles to Fit Your Graduation Cap
• What Side Does The Tassel Go On Before Graduation?
• What Can I Use To Decorate My Graduation Cap?

How To Wear A Graduation Cap

Your graduation cap, more formally referred to as your mortarboard, is a “graduation hat” that should be worn flat on your head and parallel to the ground. You’ll want your cap to be worn properly, comfortably and without any mishaps. Follow our step-by-step instructions to make sure your rocking that grad cap cap with style:

1. Practice wearing your cap before the big day.

With practice, you’ll be able to feel certain that you’re wearing the cap just how you’re supposed to be. Trying your graduation cap on before graduation day will also help you make sure it stays put throughout the ceremony, looks great in all of your graduation pictures and if it does get knocked off, you’ll be able to put it back in place without a mirror.

2. Style your hair accordingly.

This isn’t as big of a step for the gentlemen graduates as it is for the ladies but, it is an important thing to consider. There are only a few hairstyles that will work well with a graduation cap. Although you may not be able to wear an up-do or high ponytail, there are a handful of hairstyles that look great under your graduation cap.

3. Put your cap on correctly.

The pointed tip of your cap is meant to go in the front of your head while the elastic band should go behind. The cap should be worn directly on your head and not tilted back and it should lie about one inch above your eyebrows. Keep in mind that your cap will usually distinguish which side goes in the front and which side goes in the back. Simply flip your cap over and you should find the instructions on the under side.

4. Secure your cap on top of your head.

Graduation caps usually feel as if they are going to fall right off your head and with all of the  pomp and circumstance going on during the ceremony, it is even more likely that your cap may get knocked off of your head by a gust of wind or even a fellow graduate. You can secure your graduation cap into place by using a few clips or bobby pins that match your hair color.

5. Brush out your graduation tassel.

Brushing the tassel assures it’s not tangled. Then hook the tassel onto the button at the center of your cap. Once you have attached the tassel and are rocking your graduation year with pride, give the tassel a little tug to assure that it’s in place.

6. Position it to the correct graduation tassel side.

This depends on your level of graduation. There is a graduation tradition called the turning of the tassel. As tradition goes, there comes a time during the ceremony when the graduates are asked to flip their tassel from one side of their cap to another and this signifies the earning of a degree. Be sure you have your tassel on the correct side before the ceremony with the graduation tassel side details below.

7. Wear your graduation cap with pride.

Acknowledge this amazing accomplishment. It’s not everyday that you get to style your outfit with a graduation cap and gown. Embrace your ceremony attire!

Graduation Hairstyles to Fit Your Graduation Cap

Trying to decide on different hairstyles for graduation can be more difficult than usual, especially for female graduates. Aside from other common newly graduate worries like making a resume stand out and where to move after college, another thing you may feel pressured to consider is looking presentable for your graduation photos.

For the male graduates, you can usually style your hair as you do on a daily basis. If that’s not the case, you can always add gel or product to make rocking your cap easier. As for the female graduates, if you’re used to sporting high pony tails or top-knot buns that won’t fit under your square cap, you can use these graduation hairstyle ideas and common trends to try out under your cap for an effortlessly beautiful look.

Short Hair Hat Styles

You may feel limited when it comes to styling options for short hair under a graduation cap, but there are a handful of easy options and different looks you can achieve. Style your pixie cut with sculpting spray or go with a sweeping bang look that will dazzle under your grad cap. You can always play up your make-up for a more formal look that complements your hairstyling.

Mid-Length Hair Styles

A few easy graduation hairstyles for mid-length hair include tight curls, sleek straight hair or if you don’t want to wear your hair down a good solution is a side braid. Simply curl a few pieces and you’ve got the perfect look.

Long Hair Hat Styles

A common graduation hairstyle trend for long hair is to wear loose curls or beachy waves. You can achieve these looks with a curling iron and then combing your fingers through or by wearing your hair in braids overnight and spritzing it with a little hairspray the morning of  so it stays in place.

What Side Does The Tassel Go On Before Graduation?

For purposes of uniformity and celebration, there is a tassel tradition during the ceremony where graduates move their tassel from one side of their cap to another to signify earning a degree. So the question is, what side does the tassel go on before graduation? Graduation cap tassel placement is different for each degree earned and may also depend on your schools tradition.  Follow the instructions below for more specific guidance on your graduation tassel side:

High School Graduation

For a high school commencement ceremony, tassels are worn on the right side of the cap before the ceremony and are then moved from the right side to the left after receiving a diploma or when directed to do so by the graduation speaker.

College Bachelor Degree

For an undergraduate degree, the tassel placement rules are the same as a high school commencement. Tassels are worn on the right side of the cap before the ceremony and are then moved from the right side to the left after receiving a diploma or when directed to do so by the graduation speaker.

College Master Degree

For a college master degree, tassels are worn on the left side of the cap before, during and after graduating. They are not moved from the right side to the left side of the cap.

College Doctor Degree

For a college doctor degree, the tassels are also worn on the left side of the cap before, during and after graduating. They are not moved from the right side to the left side of the cap.

What Can I Use To Decorate My Graduation Cap?

If your school permits graduation cap decoration, you may be looking for fun cap decor ideas. If so, make sure to visit our resource on graduation cap decoration ideas and use your favorites for inspiration. Keep in mind that the best graduation cap decorations help to highlight your success, not distract from you during the ceremony. Additionally, don’t forget about the graduation tassel and plan for a design in which the tassel won’t cover up any important parts.

Resources Related to How To Wear Graduation Cap

Now that you know the in’s and out’s of academic regalia, you can wear your cap and gown with honor, admiration, and style. After the ceremony is over, don’t forget to thank all of those who wished you a happy graduation or sent you graduation gifts. Find the perfect words to say thank you and more with our graduation thank you card sayings and messaging guide.

Additional Resources:

• Graduation Announcements
• Graduation Invitations
• Graduation Quotes
• Graduation Wishes & Messages
• Graduation Announcement Wording
• Graduation Captions
• Graduation Bible Verses
• Yearbook Superlatives
• Graduation Announcement Wording

The post How to Wear a Graduation Cap: What Side Does the Tassel Go On? appeared first on Ideas & Inspiration.