Graduation season is upon us. Don’t start celebrating without the perfect set list!

 

Cue the random tears, bursts of both excitement and nostalgia and your newfound, “don’t give a fudge,” carefree attitude because graduation season is nearly upon us, friends.

 

And with all of the emotions of this time of year, it’s necessary to turn to the one thing that is always there for us: music. We’ve gathered some of the best graduation songs of all time to help you give a soundtrack to this rollercoaster time of year. We recommend listening to these to celebrate your senior trip and to sob into pints of Ben & Jerry’s with your roommates in the dark; both are appropriate settings.

 

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

 

 

The name says it all, and the lyrics say even more. Eighteen years after it was released, this song is still No. 1 on the most important songs to have on your graduation playlist.

 

2. “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts

 

 

Our wish for you is that you listen to this song on graduation day and just try not to get emotional.

 

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

 

 

If it’s good enough to soundtrack Seinfeld‘s farewell broadcast, it’s good enough to help you say farewell to the past four (or five) (or six+) years.

 

4. “Don’t Forget Where You Belong” by One Direction

 

 

Who knows where post-graduation life will take you? No matter where you end up, never forget the place you came from!

 

5. “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

 

 

Graduation means the end of one chapter and the start of another, and this Miley Cyrus song reminds you to enjoy every page turn along the way.

 

6. “Here’s To Never Growing Up” by Avril Lavigne

 

 

The anthem of seniors everywhere. A lot of the “lasts” are happening, and these three minutes and 45 seconds let you escape that reality a little bit longer.

 

7. “Live Like We’re Dying” by Kris Allen

 

 

It doesn’t get much more inspirational than Kris Allen in this one. Live every last moment with these people to the fullest!

 

8. “Rivers And Roads” by The Head and the Heart

 

 

This one slows it down a bit, but it reminisces on all of the changes that are bound to happen after graduation. You might want to grab a few tissues!

 

9. “Whenever You Remember” by Carrie Underwood

 

 

Carrie has brought countless graduates through with this one, and we’ll definitely remember it and her for years to come.

 

10. “On Top Of The World” by Imagine Dragons

 

 

These next few years could be some of the best of your life. Live life on top of the world, and enjoy every moment!

 

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

 

 

It worked for the Breakfast Club, and it’ll work (even better?) for graduation. We won’t ever forget about this song!

 

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

 

 

Lee Ann Womack uses this tearjerker to remind us to stop and take in every moment along this rollercoaster ride of a life.

 

13. “We Are Young” by Fun. featuring Janelle Monae

 

 

While adulthood might seem like it’s just around the corner, this song reminds us that at least for tonight, we’re still young. #Yolo, amiright?

 

14. “Started From The Bottom” by Drake

 

 

It’s not easy to get to the point where you’re handed that sophisticated diploma. Celebrate your achievements and remember how far you’ve come to get here.

 

15. “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars

 

 

Turn this one on and prepare for whatever room you’re in to transform into an instant dance party. “Oh they don’t know? Oh they don’t know? / They gon’ know as soon as we walk in.”

 

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

 

 

A true classic and a true inspiration. These wise words will be quotable on graduation Instagram captions for many years past and many years to come.

 

17. “Youth” by Troye Sivan

 

 

While exciting, this time of year can make you want to escape reality for a bit, and Troye Sivan puts those feels into words with this catchy beat.

 

18. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

 

 

The future can be scary, but Natasha Bedingfield reminds us that it can be so incredibly exciting, too! You get to write your next chapter. Bless up.

 

19. “The Greatest” by Sia

 

 

Graduation gives you even more freedom to be the greatest, and Sia is here to remind you to not give up!

 

20. “Surprise Yourself” by Jack Garratt

 

 

“Speak and open up your mind / It’s something you should do all the time / Keep exploring, seek and find / You know you might surprise yourself” (#blessed)