The most popular alternative song around your graduation, by year

Graduation season is upon us, and as the old saying goes: “As we go on… we remember…” With the end of the school year approaching, it’s always fun to reminisce about our own educational endings and the nostalgic tunes surrounding them.

We’ve compiled a list of the top songs from the past 15 years (based on Billboard charts) to help guide you on a trip down memory lane:

“HEATHENS” – TWENTY ONE PILOTS (2016)

We all remember the anti-hero action flick that gave us the most popular Halloween costume of 2016, but its spooky lead single was actually released earlier in the year in June. We can’t say it makes the best dance track for prom, but we were still rocking to it all summer long!

“SHUT UP AND DANCE” – WALK THE MOON (2015)

The 2015 anthem for letting go of frustration and having fun, this power-pop jam was designed to have even the most stubborn punk tapping their combat boot. With its infectious sound oozing with ‘80s vibes, it soared to the top of Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart with critics calling it “full-blown yacht rock.”

“AIN’T IT FUN” – PARAMORE (2014)

Abundant with happy xylophones and rubbery bass lines, this funky final single off the band’s 2013 self-titled release would be the last we’d hear of the Tennessee rockers for the next three years. Still, this was the beginning of a bold new chapter for the band, and the video makes for an irresistibly charming viewing experience!

“RADIOACTIVE” – IMAGINE DRAGONS (2013)

Who could forget that famous gasp and “ahh” that shook our stereos four whole years ago? Imagine Dragons’ major-label debut was a sleeper hit, peaking at No. 3 on the Hot 100 chart, and seamlessly blended alt rock with dubstep. You could say we really wub this track!

“WE ARE YOUNG” – FUN. FT. JANELLE MONÁE (2012)

Nothing like a song titled “We Are Young” to remind you that you’re getting older! This empowering track has been noted as a breakthrough for the indie genre, and it’s undeniably catchy, too. The song’s trippy video reminds us of cafeteria days caught in the eye of the storm, otherwise known as a… FOOOOOD FIIIIIIGHT!

“TONIGHT TONIGHT” – HOT CHELLE RAE (2011)

A pop-rock track brimming with summer anthem potential, HCR’s biggest hit to date is the perfect way to sum up “a really, really messed up week” (or in this case, maybe semester). It shows us that no matter what hardships we face, we always find a way in the end, so don’t sweat about finals too much, okay?

“MY FIRST KISS” – 3OH!3 FT. KESHA (2010)

We all remember our first kiss, but did yours go a little like this? The electronic duo were at the height of the crunkcore movement when this catchy jam hit the charts. It’s the perfect song to celebrate “no more teachers and no more books” and the journey into adulthood!

“NEW DIVIDE” – LINKIN PARK (2009)

With dark lyrics and a digitized, mecha-themed music video, you wouldn’t necessarily associate this song with graduation at first glance. However, the song represents rising up from past difficulties, which can be applied to school in more than a few ways (just with a lot less Transformers!).

“SHAKE IT” – METRO STATION (2008)

The song that helped start the $C3N3 kid revolution: This upbeat hit really sends us back to Myspace days, which may have influenced some of our go-to prom looks back then. But throughout the big plastic diamond accessories and even bigger hairdo’s, this pop track equitably had us all shaking it on the dance floor.

“HEY THERE DELILAH” – PLAIN WHITE T’S (2007)

Can you believe it’s already been 10 years since this acoustic track’s debut? It had every girl living within a 25-mile radius of New York City swooning, and had every guy learning its chord progression to use as the perfect promposal song. It’s arguably one of the best love songs of the 2000s… we swear, it’s true!

“I WRITE SINS NOT TRAGEDIES” – PANIC! AT THE DISCO (2006)

Imagine: You’re pacing the lockers in a school corridor, and you can’t help but to hear an exchanging of words: “Is it summer yet?” One could only hope, but at least you had this early Panic! hit to get you through the remainder of your classes… so technically, your school year was saved!

“HOLIDAY” – GREEN DAY (2005)

Graduation is preceded by senioritis, and senioritis means avoiding studying by going on night drives with your pals. The guys of Green Day take this to a whole new level by driving their ’68 Mercury Monterey convertible around Las Vegas until it runs out of gas… quite similar to our stamina throughout the school year.

“THE REASON” – HOOBASTANK (2004)

While the video might not have anything to do with school or graduation (unless you majored in jewel thievery with a minor in staging car accidents), we all remember this Hoobastank hit for its growling tone and angsty lyrics, reminding us that sometimes it’s okay to “start over new.”

“BRING ME TO LIFE” – EVANESCENCE (2003)

This iconic track is known for many things: dramatic lyrics? Check. An even more dramatic music video? Double check. Reminding us of school days may or may not be on that list… But it’s almost guaranteed if you’re reading this list, this song helped you get through some pivotal phase of your life.

“THE MIDDLE” – JIMMY EAT WORLD (2002)

​This early pop-punk hit is totally relatable, describing a time in the band’s career where they felt invisible and as if nothing would make it better after being dropped from their major label. But as the lyrics preach, some things just take time and eventually “everything, everything will be alright.”