List of Favorite Coming of Age Songs

Ranked #346 in Music, #7,439 overall

Coming of Age Songs about Teenage Years, Growing Up, Becoming an Adult, College, and Graduation

"Coming of Age" means different things to everyone. I've gathered a variety of songs on this page. Some are pensive and inspirational, while others are rebellious.

Great ideas for putting together a mix CD for that special teen in your life, or for hosting a graduation party. Check out some of these lyrics and listen to these Coming of Age songs on iTunes or Amazon!

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Updated 5/20/2012

Dream On by Aerosmith

A Great Coming of Age Song!

Every time that I look in the mirror
All these lines on my face getting clearer
The past is gone
It went by, like dusk to dawn
Isn't that the way
Everybody's got their dues in life to pay ......

Dream On

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

100 Years by Five for Fighting

lyrics from this song about growing up... being 15 isn't so bad :)

I'm 15 for a moment
Caught in between 10 and 20
And I'm just dreaming
Counting the ways to where you are
I'm 22 for a moment
She feels better than ever
And we're on fire
Making our way back from Mars
15 there's still time for you
Time to buy and time to lose
15, there's never a wish better than this
When you only got 100 years to live..........

The Battle For Everything

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Gravity by Alison Krauss

This Coming of Age song is about Leaving Home at 17

I left home when I was seventeen
I just grew tired of falling down
And I'm sure I was told
The allure of the road
Would be all I found

And all the answers that I started with
Turned out questions in the end
So years roll on by
And just like the sky
The road never ends

Gravity

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd

This song has simple and important advice...

Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day

Oh, take your time don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
Go find a woman you'll find love
And don't forget son there is someone up above...

Simple Man

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Shades of Gray by Keen Robert Earl

Highschool dropouts get in trouble by stealing cows..... but there's a twist!

A fun story song about teenage mischief...

We made Oklahoma a little after 3
Randy, his brother Bob and my old GMC
We had some moonshine whisky
And some of Bob's homegrown
We were so messed up we didn't know
If we were drunk or stoned
Randy was a sad-sack, tall kinda frail
Bob was a raving maniac, crazy in the head
They been kicked out of high school several years ago
For pushin over port-a-cans at the 4-H rodeo
Since then they've done their little dance
Right outside the law
Popped twice in Oklahoma, once in Arkansas
And I don't know what possessed me
To want to tag along
Cause I was raised a Christian
And I knew right from wrong

Complete lyrics here.

Shades Of Gray

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Indigo Girls: Closer to Fine

"The less I seek my source for some definitive, The Closer I am to fine"

This one refers to college, and I consider it a coming of age song because it is about finding yourself.

Closer To Fine

Amazon Price: $1.29 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

When I Grow Up (To be a Man) by Beach Boys

this is a thoughtful song...

When I grow up to be a man
Will I dig the same things that turn me on as a kid?
Will I look back and say that I wish I hadn't done what I did?
Will I joke around and still dig those sounds
When I grow up to be a man?

When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) (2008 Stereo Mix)

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Try it On My Own by Whitney Houston

this coming of age song about growing up and doing it by yourself

I'm wiser now
Im not the foolish girl you used to know
So long ago
I'm stronger now
I've learned from my mistakes which way to go
And I should know
I put myself aside to do it in your way
But now i need to do it all alone

And I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if I'm right or wrong
I'll live my life the way I feel no matter what I'll keep it real
You know
Time for me to do it on my own

Try It On My Own

Amazon Price: $0.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

My Favorite Gift Ideas!

I've hand-picked my favorite gift ideas for high school graduation!

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CDs about "Coming of Age"

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More Coming of Age Song Recommendations

Check out these links

Readers recommend: Coming of age songs
Paul MacInnes: Last week was all about a cry for help. This time we want you to suggest songs about reaching maturity
Does anyone know any great songs about coming of age? - Yahoo! Answers
I am reading a novel on coming of age for english...
Whats a good coming of age song? - Yahoo! Answers
Ok so for my advanced english class we have to...
Coming-of-age movie soundtracks: Oldies but goodies!
Coming of age songs from old movies.
NPR : Jude Johnstone's 'Coming of Age'
Coming of Age is Jude Johnstone's first album, but she's no musical novice. She's already spent 20 very productive years in the record industry. Her songs have been recorded by stars such as Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks and Trisha Yearwood. NPR's Renee Montagne profiles Johnstone on Morni

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What is your Favorite Coming of Age song?

Please let me know, I love discovering new music!

  • JaguarJulie Feb 12, 2012 @ 6:19 am | delete
    Ah, so many great coming of age songs ... today, in memory of Whitney Houston, gone too young ...

    "And I am not afraid to try it on my own
    I don't care if I'm right or wrong
    I'll live my life the way I feel no matter what I'll keep it real
    You know
    Time for me to do it on my own"
  • WriterJanis Nov 10, 2011 @ 1:02 am | delete
    OK, not really thought of by most as a coming of age song, but being the Disney fan that I am, mine is When you Wish upon a Star.
  • Tipi Feb 1, 2011 @ 11:13 pm | delete
    Cool!
  • termit_bronx Dec 5, 2010 @ 4:44 pm | delete
    I like "Dream On"!
  • emmalarkins Nov 1, 2010 @ 11:29 am | delete
    It's an important time in a person's life, something to be celebrated!
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Coming of Age songs are great for graduation parties and other celebrations. You can make a mix CD as a special gift too! Here are some great songs... more »

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