8 Recommendations For Graduation Songs That Aren’t By Vitamin C

Vitamin C’s “Graduation” will always reign supreme but I cannot listen to “Good Riddance” one more time. Here are some nominations for an alternative. Submit your own in the comments.

Riff Raff – “Time”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSaVoZauuJc]

“Cause time, time goes by, it goes on, and it don’t stop.”

Using what sounds like the opening guitar part to the Plain White T’s’ “Hey There Delilah,” Riff Raff has created a masterpiece that makes you think about the true nature of time passing by.

Graduation Song Score: A

Justin Timberlake – “Mirrors”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuZE_IRwLNI]

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow’s a mystery.”

This might be a bit too much of a love song but it certainly sounds like something you could graduate to.

Graduation Song Score: C+

Rihanna – “Diamonds”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWA2pjMjpBs]

“So shine bright tonight, you and I, we’re like diamonds in the sky”

So this is about Molly etc etc but your parents probably don’t know that. Your the diamond of their eyes and this song will seem right to them.

Graduation Song Score: B

College & Electric Youth – “A Real Hero”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DSVDcw6iW8]

“Back against the wall and odds, with the strength of a will and a cause, your pursuits are called outstanding”

This way you can all feel like Ryan Gosling as you’re graduating. I can’t think of a more comforting feeling. If we’re all Ryan Gosling, we’re all going to make it.

Graduation Song Score: B+

Real Estate – “Fake Blues”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHx8ZhYsigQ]

“Just last year seems so long, when I used to live alone”

His voice might be a bit too muffled to be a “great graduation song” that will need to be blasted across a whole gym arena, but I still think it has a bit of potential.

Graduation Song Score: C

Beach House – “Wishes”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS6duOoxctw]

“The contact that you make, the moment when a memory aches”

All graduations should be more like this video. I think the song works great as well but really the video inspiration for the graduation ceremony is the real selling point here.

Graduation Song Score: A

The Killers – Mr. Brightside

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGdGFtwCNBE]

“I’m coming out of my cage and I’ve been doing just fine.”

Perhaps this is also a bit too much of a love song and lyrics about undressing girls aren’t ideal for graduation, but singing this song at shouting volume with a group of friends is a ton of fun. If you want everyone to actually get into the singing this is the way to go.

Graduation Song Score: B

MIA – Bad Girls

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYs0gJD-LE]

“Live fast, die young, bad girls do it well”

This isn’t really a serious suggestion, I just think it would be perfect in its own way. There’s really no song I’d rather graduate to.

Graduation Song Score: D / A+

Make sure to suggest your own.