by Sean Poliakoff

Created on: May 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 19, 2009

Every year, a new graduating class celebrates the end of high school or college with graduation parties, slideshows, and memories. Music plays a key role in invoking tender memories for most graduates.

There are songs that stand above the rest in reminding students of their pasts:

1. Graduation (Friends Forever) - Vitamin C

Considered the biggest hit by pop singer Vitamin C, Graduation is driven by a classic orchestral riff from Pachelbel's Canon in D that is sure to stir emotions. The song's lyrics are heavily based on the thoughts going through most students' minds, particularly high schoolers. Specifically, the song deals with the thoughts of leaving friends and entering a new, uncertain environment.

"And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives/
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25/
I keep thinking times will never change/
Keep on thinking things will always be the same/
But when we leave this year we won't be coming back/
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track/
And if you got something that you need to say/
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day."

2. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day

Green Day, who is more known for their heavy punk sound, came out with this acoustic song when lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong was dealing with the end of a relationship. According to Armstrong, he was trying to be understanding about the break up and not be too bitter over it. Despite the sad influences to the song, many graduates relate to the feeling of sudden change and uncertainty that is expressed in the song.

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road/
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go/
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why/
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time."

3. Photograph - Nickelback

Chad Kroeger, frontman for alternative rock band Nickelback, wrote Photograph as a retrospective look at his childhood. The premise of the song is that Kroeger begins looking through an old photo album and reminisces about different events in his life, which many graduates will do when looking at old photographs from their lives.

"Every memory of looking out the back door/
I had the photo album spread out on my bedroom floor/
It's hard to say it, time to say it/
Goodbye, goodbye."

4. It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - REM

Many graduates have familiarized themselves to the world that they have lived in for the past few years, and

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