Here's Your Totally Fly '90s Graduation Playlist
Listen up kids, an older person is talking. Graduation season is upon us! The class of '14 is closing the chapter on the past and starting a new book on the future. For college students, that's the reality of jobs and making good on all the promises of the future. For high school kids, it's about finding yourself, heading off to college and stepping out on one's own. And while the past few years had delivered us a number of solid songs to capture the last night together, they pare in comparison to the music of the '90s. When us older kids were moving our tassels from the right to the left, we were doing with the greatest soundtrack. We had Eve 6 helping us toast to the night, Vitamin C making us cry at the ceremony and Green Day having us look back on "the best years of our lives." Ultimately we dried our tears and moved on but we still have those mixed CDs (yes, we still had those back then) beholden to our memories.
Presented on shuffle:
"Here's to the Night," Eve 6
The ultimate toast to the evening. Pop the champagne, cheers each other — just make sure to look each other in the eyes — and rock it out.
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"Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," Green Day
Despite what the song may imply, the best days are not behind you. But do have the best time every day.
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"Graduation (Friends Forever)," Vitamin C
For the sap in all of us. Just let the tears out. Go on, you'll feel better.
"Closing Time," Semisonic
It's time to shut it down, go home and think about the future.
"Goodbye," Spice Girls
Like Geri Halliwell, it's time to say goodbye.
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"I Will Remember You," Sarah McLachlan
Tears.
"Take a Bow," Madonna
Take a moment to reflect. You've earned it.
"Seasons of Love," Rent
Because every drama kid sang this in high school.
"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday," Boyz II Men
Almost every Boyz II Men song is appropriate but when it comes to saying goodbye, this one nails it.
"I'll Be Missing You," Puff Daddy
There's no reason to act tough — or change your name — all the time.
"I Hope You Dance," Lee Ann Womack
This song will be played at every prom, spring fling and senior formal until the end of time.
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"I Believe I Can Fly," R. Kelly
Pure inspiration.
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"These Are Days," 10,000 Maniacs
"You are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you." —Stacy Lambe's senior portrait quote, jk
"You Get What You Give," New Radicals
Celebrate your youth! It's too soon to grow old.
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"Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen," Baz Luhrmann
Some of the best advice anyone can give to a graduate. Listen, soak it in and throw it all away. Live your life how you want to live it!
Oh here's a super handy Spotify playlist:
[Photo: Getty]