“Good Old Days” by Macklemore and Kesha

“I wish somebody would have told me, babe / Someday, these will be the good old days.”

As graduation approaches, many seniors are beginning to realize that the moments they once rushed through in high school are now turning into nostalgic memories. Macklemore and Kesha’s song, “Good Old Days,” captures that exact feeling. 

Released in 2017, the song blends Macklemore’s reflective verses with Kesha’s chorus, creating a nostalgic message about appreciating life in the moment. The uplifting pop sound contrasts with sentimental lyrics and piano, accentuating both the excitement of growing up and the sadness that comes with leaving meaningful places behind. 

For students, this song serves as a reminder to slow down and take in every moment in your hometown before it’s gone. Whether it was crowded lunch tables, stressful final weeks or late-night drives with friends, “Good Old Days” captures the bittersweet realization that these ordinary experiences may someday be the moments that seniors hold onto the most.

“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day

“It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right / I hope you had the time of your life.”

Released in 1997, Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” has become one of the most recognizable graduation songs of all time. Unlike many of the band’s punk-rock hits, this song features a softer acoustic guitar tune that gives it an emotional tone.

The lyrics focus on accepting change and appreciating memories, even if there is uncertainty and fear about the future. Its timeless message has made the song appear in graduation slideshows, campfire sing-alongs and senior events decades after its release. 

“Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog

“Where’d all the time go? It’s starting to fly.”

Originally released in 2010, Dr. Dog’s “Where’d All the Time Go?” gained a new wave of popularity after being featured in season two of Netflix’s “Outer Banks” and becoming a viral TikTok sound in 2021. The indie rock style quickly became associated with nostalgia-focused “then vs. now” videos across social media.

The track includes mellow instrumentals and repetitive lyrical syntax to emphasize how quickly life seems to progress. Using a relaxed sound, the emotional weight of the message lingers, making it feel both comforting and bittersweet. As seniors prepare to move into entirely new routines, the song captures the disbelief that comes with realizing how fast high school passed. Listening to the song feels like looking through old photos or replaying childhood memories that suddenly feel distant.

“I’ll Always Remember You” by Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana)

“I always knew this day would come / We’d be standing one by one / With the future in our hands / So many dreams, so many plans.”

Although it may seem unexpected among the other songs, Hannah Montana’s “I’ll Always Remember You” perfectly depicts the emotional side of graduation. For many students, the song carries an added layer of childhood nostalgia because they grew up hearing it, and are now living the message of graduating.

Originally featured during the final season of “Hannah Montana,” the ballad focuses on friendship, change and remembering people who shaped different stages of life. In recent years, the song has resurfaced as a social media trend at Redwood. On college commitment day, students often wear merchandise and point to where they will attend while the song is playing in the background, using the song as a soundtrack to reflect on the memories they are leaving behind.

Together, these songs reflect many emotions seniors struggle to put into words: excitement for what comes next while mourning the countless memories that are now ending. Music has a way of preserving the feelings ingrained in every stage of life. As graduation approaches, these songs serve as a reminder that although high school may be concluding, the memories created during the “good old days” will continue long after seniors walk across the stage.