From classic tunes to some less well-known songs, this list is guaranteed to make all the memories of your high school journey flood back into your mind as you celebrate the day you’ve been waiting for throughout the past four years- your graduation! Listen alone in your room on the night of your, at a graduation party, or driving down a highway with the windows down with your best friends. No matter where or how you listen, expect some overwhelming emotions to hit you as you reminisce on the past and look into your bright future.
Congratulations Class of 2016- this one’s for you.
Good Riddance by Green Day: This song is probably the most cliché graduation song out there, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good one! It will definitely make you remember all the memories you made throughout the past four years and make you have a whole new appreciation for them.
Closing Time by Semisonic: Another classic about moving on after high school that talks about making friends and new beginnings- because evry new beginning really does come from some other beginning’s end.
Tonight Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins: A song to remind you of how fast high school went by and how much you’ve changed since freshman year.
Another Night on Mars by The Maine: A tribute to all the friends who have been there for you and all that you have done together; a tribute to old memories and new memories to come.
Kill Your Heroes by Awolnation: An upbeat tune to remind you not to “let your fear decide your fate” and to live in the moment in everything that you do.
Rivers and Roads by The Head and The Heart: A sad song that describes exactly how you’re feeling right now and how much you will be missing your friends, but also how much distance you will cross just to see them again.
In a Week by Hozier: A song to help you reflect on time spent throughout high school
My Tears are Becoming a Sea by M83: A song that belongs in a movie soundtrack to make your heart heavy and to help the tears flow.
King of the World by Young Rising Sons: This song will launch you into your upcoming success and encourage you to keep working hard to achieve all your goals.
Coda: A Burn Scar in the Shape of the Sooner State by Los Campesinos: An unfortunately unknown yet extremely nostalgic song that is sure to make the happy tears flow and your heart to swell.
It All Starts Here by Magic Man: A “smile-to-yourself” song to encourage you not to look back and take a breath straight into your new beginning.
Tongue Tied by Grouplove: A classic and permanent “song of the summer”, perfect to listen to with friends that will remind you of all the times you spent together and how hard it is to say goodbye.
Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups: A song to remember how long you have been waiting for graduation day and how it feels now that it’s finally here.
Twin Size Mattress by The Front Bottoms: A perfect song to yell into the sky with your friends. It’s an ode to you, your possibly not-so-good past, and a much better future.
Safe and Sound by Capital Cities: To remind you that no matter where you end up, you will have support and you are perfectly safe and sound.
Shake Me Down by Cage the Elephant: This relatively well-known tune will lead you into your future with great advice to “keep [your] eyes fixed on the sun” no matter what the situation is or what has happened in your past.
Such Great Heights by The Postal Service: An inspiring song to show you where you’re sure to be in college- “waving from such great heights”.
Young Blood by The Naked and Famous: Another tribute to the friends you have made and will always remember.
Do or Die by 30 Seconds to Mars: To remind you that your life is just beginning and that after high school, “the story goes on”, although you will never forget where you came from.
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall by Coldplay: A perfect song to dance to with friends- or by yourself- to make you smile and laugh with how far you’ve gotten in life thus far.
Featherstone by The Paper Kites: A calming tune about new beginnings and waking up a new person than you were yesterday.
Mr. Brightside by The Killers: No playlist is complete without this classic- a necessary song to include since it’s probably one of the only songs that your entire high school graduating class just has to know.
We’re Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes: A song that will remind you of all the first days of school you’ve had and bring you back to being a little kid again.
Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve: The title says it all; a perfect description of exactly how you’re feeling right now.
Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap: A perfect summary of your high school career and a perfect conclusion to this playlist; “a moment, a love, a dream aloud, a kiss, a cry, rights, wrongs”.
