by Karen Ellis

Created on: May 12, 2009   Last Updated: May 20, 2009

The air is filled with promises of the future on graduation day. The songs surrounding the ceremonies are chosen to reflect a bright tomorrow, as well as the completion of an important segment of life and the close relationships built during that time. The melodies and words for some songs have been written specifically for graduation, trying to capture the magical moment, while others have been chosen for their deep and meaningful lyrics.

1. Pomp and Circumstance - This is the first song thought of as the graduation song, probably because it was one of the first songs used during graduation commencement. Played at Yale University in 1905 as a tribute to the composer, Edward Edgar, it is the most popular graduation song.

2. Friends Forever - Vitamin C is the group who composed and sang this popular graduation song. The celebration of the song grew from individuals forming their own emotional memories as they listened to the lyrics.

3. In My Life - This song was released by the Beatles in December of 1965. It has often been chosen as a graduation song, ever since. The melody, alone, has a bitter-sweet quality and the lyrics, speaking of friends that have come and gone, is representative of what flows through the minds of graduates.

4. Schools Out - An Alice Cooper composition, inspired by a single question, What's the greatest three minutes of your life. It was his first hit, reaching number seven on the top 100 billboard, so it must resonate with many people and many graduates to be one of the top songs during commencement.

5. It's My Life - Sung by Bon Jovi and his band, this song became their theme song as it reached number one on the charts, reviving their music careers after a break of five years. A popular graduation song since it's release in 2000, the song seems to be a modern rendition of Frank Sinatra's, I Did It My Way, with a look towards the future. This, of course, resonates with graduates setting their course for the future.

6. A Moment Like This - First introduced, to the public, by Kelly Clarkson on the popular TV program, American Idol, it has been a resounding choice for graduations, ever since. It attests to her popularity and the emotional significance of the song.

7. We Are The Champions - This famous song was written and sung by the late Freddie Mercury and his band, Queen in 1977. Graduates certainly relate the struggle and hope depicted by Mercury's lyrics, We are the champions, my friend. We'll go on fighting to the very end.

8. I'm Not Going to Cry - This is one of those songs actually about graduating high school. Corey Smith relates the emotional experience of remembering, letting go and moving on in a manner that graduates feel.

9. I Will Remember You - Sung by Sarah McLachlan, it allows graduates to speak to each other of their feelings about leaving their friends behind without having to utter the words themselves.

10. I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack sings this popular graduation song. Chosen because of the inspirational message for the future, what ever you do in the future, I hope you dance.

There are probably a thousand great graduation songs, to choose from, for graduation. It will be the melody and lyrics that are burnished into your memory from that time forward. When you hear the song on the radio while you are driving to your job, years later, it all comes back to you. The time, the place, the sounds and smells will flood your present moment and bring, both, a tear and a smile to your face.

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