Graduation Songs

by Amanda Flinner

Graduation Day, 2002. I remember the airless high school auditorium. I remember the sea of caps and gowns. I remember moving the tassel from right to left (or is that left to right?). I remember the pomp. I remember the circumstance. I don't remember the class song. That one bit of freedom to stray from tradition is completely wiped from my memory. Maybe we went old school with "School's Out" or got sentimental over "I'll Be There For You." Maybe we secretly hated each other and opted for "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" or loved each other and picked it anyway.

In a bid to jog my memory, let's look at some popular graduation songs. Can you separate the fact from the fiction? (And don't forget to tell us your graduation song!)

More Fact or Fiction

Comments: 4

  • Tom Tom from Germanyi Got 7/10
  • Hoogin87 from Mount Desert Island, MaineI’m pretty sure ours was “Now or Never” by Bon Jovi but I could be completely wrong lol there’s more from HS I don’t remember then stuff I do
  • Ian Donaldson from BristolGraduation in thre UK mainly refers to the ceremony of awarding Degree Certificates following university Finals. The concept of "High School Gradusation" is almost unknown in the UK.
    The song I associate with universities is Gaudiamus Igatur - brought to popular notice in the Hollywood film The Student Prince. Singing this song is a German tradition, not a British one.
  • Jim from North Billerica, MaNot sure how some of these songs relate to Graduation, but that is OK, it was fun, although I did have to guess on a few of them. Only one wrong though.

    And Beaver Falls, PA is the birthplace of none Other than "Broadway" Joe Namath
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.