7GRADUATION new songs to consider for
IT’S NOT The Climb, so go ahead and Breakaway from the cliché. Here are seven songs you actually already know (and won’t have to be glimpsing at from the paper) that need to be seriously considered for graduation.
1Today My Life Begins by Bruno Mars. It does not have to be dusted off from a ’80s/’90s catalogue to be graduation material. Artistes of today are actually diversifying their content and your favourite artiste may just have that one song to make your day special. If you’re a Bruno Mars fan, you may want to consider his 2010 hit, Today My Life Begins, for your big day.
The lyrics: “I will break these chains that bind me, happiness will find me, leave the past behind me, today my life begins, A whole new world is waiting, it’s mine for the taking, today my life begins.”
2Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. Write this one down because it’s going to make a scene. In Unwritten, Natasha sings: “Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.” It’s one of those songs that everybody sort of knows but underutilises when it’s really needed.
3One Step At a Time by Jordin Sparks. Remember her? Back in 2008, Jordin Sparks had a string of really good songs and this is probably one of her best. It’s upbeat and fun but still packed with a powerful message.
The lyrics: “Wanna show the world but no one knows your name yet, wonder where and when and how you’re gonna make it, You know you can if you get the chance. We live and we learn to take one step at a time.”
4Good Feeling by Flo Rida. If you Google this song, you’ll immediately be surprised by how popular it is and how often you’ve heard the chorus, but, beyond that, Flo Rida’s raps are actually super tight and very graduation-appropriate if you’re looking to wake up the audience.
The lyrics: “Yes I can, doubt that I leave, I’m running with this plan. I’ll be the president one day.”
5Moment for Life by Nicki Minaj & Drake. Did somebody say grad party? Again, I’ll say your graduation does not have to be a snooze fest. Moment for Life is one of those songs you can even personalise to fit your situation and add your school name or unique experiences. The lyrics: “It’s a celebration every time we link up, we done did every thing they could think of – greatness is what we’re on the brink of.”
6Fly by Rihanna & Nicki Minaj.
Hope you’re up to those high notes, because this is one of the few songs where Rihanna really demonstrates her vocal range. Make this performance a standout by having a single soloist perform Nicki’s rap verses to really add that wow to this very important moment in your life.
The lyrics: “I came to win, to fly, to conquer, to thrive. To fly, I am not fly, I am levitation. I represent an entire generation.”
7Impact by Alkaline. Not the artiste you were thinking of for this list, right? Let me just say that when dancehall artistes release clean, impactful songs, the end product is 3:30 of pure gold. With lyrics like “From mi likkle mi a seh any time mi get in mi affi mek a impact,” what’s not to love about a graduation turn-up? Save this one for your march, or a part of your recessional, and those four hours of speeches and presentations won’t all seem so dreadful.
PS: Shout-out to the class of 2017 at Morant Bay High who KILLED this song at their graduation recently!