“We’re All in This Together” from High School Musical? (Sappy, I know-- but it was played at one of D’s school’s graduation events last spring, and the kids had fun with it.)
Honestly, I would ask some of the kids for their preferences. . .
@techmom99 It’s not that I don’t think they are aware of songs before they were born it’s that this project is about them and their own lives/memories. I was watching mindhunter and it features music from my high school/college days. The memories those songs bring back are so strong. Its really amazing. And Studies have shown that most people have the greatest afinity for the music of their own youth.
Has anyone suggested “These Are Days” by 10,000 Maniacs yet? One of my faves for things like this.
Here comes the sun.
George Harrison/Beatles
I agree that polling the kids would be useful. Many have strong ideas about music.
I’m with Maya54. Not because she likes my choice, though, lol. I just think most kids will connect with more recent songs that they spent their high school years listening to.
Last night I did a YouTube search of “graduation songs” and there were a lot of videos that had a list of several good suggestions - you can look at the comments to see how kids reacted to them.
Here’s also Rolling Stone’s nominations for the best grad songs from the past 20 years.
BTW, my 16 year old voted for Green Day’s “Time of Your Life” even though it was released in 1997 - four years before she was born. She also liked Unwritten although she said boys probably wouldn’t like it. She thought a couple on the list^ sounded like funeral music. She said See You Again, would definitely be a tearjerker.
My Wish (by Rascal Flatts)
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you,
and wants the same things too
How about “A Whole New World” from Aladdin? They had that as kids.
Back When I Could Fly by Trout Fishing in America
Gets me every time.
I love 100 Years, Five for Fighting
It is a beautiful song, and the lyrics are a wonderful comment on the fleetingness of life…
Only problem is the opening line is, “I’m 15 for a moment, Caught in between 10 and 20…”
and your kids are likely 17 and 18.
I love that song!^
Stand by Me.
Sample of lyrics:
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No I won’t be afraid, no I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
[Chorus]
So darlin’, darlin’, stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Stand stand by me, stand by me
[Verse 2]
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry, no I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
There was a thread a few years ago looking for music to play for a graduation slideshow, some of the suggestions there are the same, but some might be new:
My 19 year old suggested this one - I like it but it’s peppy.
Ben Rector - Brand New Another good peppy but oddly sentimental one.
Little Wonders - Rob Thomas, really pretty song.
Did not read the entire thread to see if anyone suggested Stressed Out by 21 Pilots. 
Apologies if it was mentioned.
If people are already emotional, Andrea Bocelli’s Time to Say Goodbye might flood the room with tears.
Just something to keep in mind also (i forgot to mention this) the songs and the slideshow I put together are supposed to be a surprise (that is the tradition)