Fun songs about growing up and graduating?

December 9, 2008 7:22 AM

Fun songs for college graduation mix cd?

A good friend is graduating college and I'd like to give her some songs that will help with the coming job search/life changes. Cheesy is ok, but I'd prefer songs that talk about transition, growing up, etc. but are upbeat.

Think: MGMT Time to Pretend

Thanks so much!

posted by ginagina to media & arts (13 answers total)

I'm an Adult Now by The Pursuit of Happiness.
My Old School by Steely Dan
For cheezy, I'd go with
Get a Job by The Silhouettes
posted by rocket88 at 7:39 AM on December 9, 2008

Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen!
posted by Sailormom at 7:39 AM on December 9, 2008

May not be quite of the same ilk, but the end of The Pointless, Yet Poignant, Crisis Of A Co-ed by Dar Williams always leaves me with a giggle.
posted by zizzle at 7:46 AM on December 9, 2008

I find Float On by Modest Mouse to be very upbeat and encouraging, if not graduation-specific.
posted by rachaelfaith at 7:52 AM on December 9, 2008

Not my site, but a quick googling turns up:
http://www.collegecandy.com/cool-stuff/8727

=) Enjoy and congratulations!
posted by aleahey at 7:56 AM on December 9, 2008 [2 favorites]

My answer to all things music related this week is the recently released Suffragette Suffragette by Everything Everything because it's my music crush of the week.

Other than that can any mix concerning graduation be complete without Mrs Robinson?
posted by mandal at 8:08 AM on December 9, 2008

Jim Croce's Workin at the Carwash Blues
posted by General Malaise at 8:41 AM on December 9, 2008

I grouped them roughly in the order I would use. I found it hard, but I limited myself to ones that would go well with Time to Pretend.

Section 22: Running Away by the The Polyphonic Spree.
Keep the Car Running, by Arcade Fire [This would pair well with Time to Pretend]
Mushaboom, by Feist. [about growing up and dreaming for the future, especially while waiting for life to pan out.]
This Time Tomorrow, by the Kinks.
This Year by The Mountain Goats
Don't Stop Me Now by Queen
Pork and Beans, by Weezer [ultimate self-esteem song.]
Another Travelin' Song by Bright Eyes [upbeat, about changing and moving forward through hard times.]
Do You Realize? by the Flaming Lips [=life is brief but worth loving.]
Australia, by the Shins

Bonus that isn't some dance song, but is still a fantastic "moving on with life" one that I like using to close mixes like yours: On the Radio by Regina Spektor. Also, anything like this can benefit from Sufjan Steven's Chicago.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 9:15 AM on December 9, 2008 [1 favorite]

Jeffrey Lewis - Back When I Was Four
posted by backwards guitar at 9:38 AM on December 9, 2008

Some 80's songs:
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
Number One by Chaz Jankel

Also:
Philosophy by Ben Folds Five
posted by sararah at 9:39 AM on December 9, 2008

School's Out by Alice Cooper!

School's Out For-Ever!!
posted by Spyder's Game at 12:00 PM on December 9, 2008

The skits on Kanye West's College Dropout.
posted by Wayman Tisdale at 7:52 PM on December 9, 2008

Thanks for all your input, I'll post the final playlist soon!
posted by ginagina at 10:41 AM on December 10, 2008