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A New York University graduate celebrated at the 2009 NYU commencement at Yankee Stadium in New York City, May 13, 2009. Rock out with these graduation songs. Reuters

Graduation is here, and what's a ceremony -- or a party -- without music? Commencement is an age-old tradition recording artists have been using as inspiration for decades. Whether you blare these hits with the windows down or play them softly in your room, these classic, modern and sometimes sad songs will help you remember the good times and prepare you for whatever's next. Here's a YouTube playlist we put together for graduation 2015. Tune in and see the tracklisting below:

Classic ballads:

  1. “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D” by Sir Edward Elgar
  2. “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C
  3. “Graduation Day” by the Beach Boys
  4. “We Are the Champions” by Queen
  5. “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly
  6. “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper
  7. “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan
  8. “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang
  9. “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters
  10. “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey

Modern hits:

  1. “We Are Young” by fun. feat. Janelle Monae
  2. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
  3. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
  4. "How Far We've Come" by Matchbox 20
  5. “New Soul” by Yael Naim
  6. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
  7. "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson
  8. “Defying Gravity” by Idina Menzel in “Wicked”
  9. “It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons
  10. “No Such Thing” by John Mayer

Tearjerkers:

  1. “Seasons of Love” by RENT cast
  2. “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan
  3. “Goodbye” by Michelle Branch
  4. "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack
  5. “Wide Open Spaces” by the Dixie Chicks
  6. “100 Years” by Five For Fighting
  7. “Graduation Day” by Chris Isaak
  8. “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrandts
  9. "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler
  10. "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
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