Why does every graduation ceremony seem to use the same song?
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, we explore the surprising history behind “Pomp and Circumstance,” the melody that has become synonymous with graduation season across America. Long before it echoed through school gymnasiums and commencement halls, the piece began as a British military march composed by Sir Edward Elgar in 1901. Over time, the music crossed the Atlantic, found a place in American academia, and evolved into one of the most recognizable traditions in education.
But this episode is about more than the history of a song. It’s also about why traditions matter, how music becomes attached to memory, and why ceremonies continue to carry emotional weight in a culture that rarely slows down. From caps and gowns to shared milestones across generations, “The Song Everyone Knows” reflects on the power of music to mark life’s transitions in ways words often cannot.
“Pomp and Circumstance” courtesy of LAURENT BUCZEK from Pixabay.
Music by Yurii Semchyshyn from Pixabay
