As the class of 2023 prepares to walk across the stage and say their final goodbyes to St. Joe’s, may these songs act as a bandage that mends the wound of saying goodbye.

“I’ll Always Remember You” – Hannah Montana

We must pay homage to one of the most inspirational figures of our youth, the one and only Hannah Montana. The TV sitcom ended just as the class of 2023 was preparing to enter middle school, but this song from the final season of the show has held up for over a decade. We were warned that this day would come: “we’d be standing one by one with our future in our hands, so many dreams, so many plans.”

“Vienna” – Billy Joel

As soon as that first piano note chimes in this song, you know you’re about to fall into your feelings. This song is the pinnacle of celebrating big life changes. When we face an ending, Joel reminds us that it is simply a new beginning. Hopefully you have realized by now that Vienna waits for you.

“Long Live” – Taylor Swift

This fantasy-narrative song still holds the same sentiment in reality: goodbyes are tough. But as we look back and reminisce on the dragons we fought and the mountains we moved, we will see that we had the time of our lives.

“Slipping Through My Fingers” – ABBA

Everyone says college goes by so fast, who knew they were right? Each time we think we are close to knowing, we keep on growing. These four years have slipped through our fingers. School bag in hand, we will leave with a diploma in the other.

“Rivers and Roads” – The Head And The Heart

This gut-punch in song form must be reserved for all graduation playlists. Within the lyrics, The Head and the Heart hurtfully reminds us that “our friends will move away,” but we’re all off to better places. Class of 2023, I will miss your faces like hell.