Graduation (Friends Forever)

Speaking to Billboard magazine, Vitamin C revealed the meaning behind the song in April 2000. One Sunday, while she was writing songs, she began to reminisce about the past and think about the future, comparing the mixed emotions of both scenarios. "It became a very emotional song to write and one that wasn't initially about graduation at all," she explained. "I think it represents a template for graduation from high school or college, from job to job, for whenever people move on in their lives." Vitamin C believes the song's message becomes clearer several years after graduating high school, when people become better aware of their emotions and begin to recognize the feeling of detachment.[1]

The song is based on Pachelbel's Canon in D and includes vocals from the NYC All-City Chorus.[2][3] An alternate version of the song features interviews of Lyndhurst High School's (New Jersey) Class of 2000, in which Vitamin C speaks with several students about their friendships and futures.[1][3]

The single reached number 12 on the US Billboard Top 40 Mainstream chart,[4] number 23 on the Billboard Rhythmic Top 40,[5] and number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 30, 2000, becoming Vitamin C's second single to reach the top 40, after "Smile".[6] Worldwide, it reached number 21 in New Zealand,[7] number 13 in Sweden,[8] number seven in Canada,[9] and number four in Ireland.[10] Although it was a hit in Ireland, it did not chart in the United Kingdom.[11] The song found the most commercial success in Australia, where it climbed to number two in December 2000 and was certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).[12][13] It was the nation's 13th-most-successful song of 2000.[14]

The music video for "Graduation (Friends Forever)" was directed by Gregory Dark. It features Vitamin C performing in a high school with various scenes interspersed throughout. Several of these clips feature a blond girl struggling to talk to her crush, which she manages to accomplish before the final school day ends. During the video, Vitamin C dances with cheerleaders, sings with a choir, and watches the girl as she meets up with her crush by his locker. At the end of the video, the students leave the school while the singer stands motionless on the front steps. Once they are gone, she walks back into the empty building.[15]

Credits are taken from the European CD single liner notes.[18]