Graduation Day (The Four Freshmen song) explained

Graduation Day
Type:	single
Artist:	the Four Freshmen
Album:	Freshman Favorites
B-Side:	Lonely Night in Paris
Genre:	Jazz, pop
Length:	3:01
Label:	Capitol
Composer:	Joe Sherman
Lyricist:	Noel Sherman
Prev Title:	Angel Eyes
Prev Year:	1956
Next Title:	He Who Loves and Runs Away
Next Year:	1956

"Graduation Day" is a song composed by Joe Sherman with lyrics by his brother Noel Sherman.^[1] and was a 1956 hit song by the Four Freshmen.

Background

The song is about nostalgia^[2] and was an important influence in the early rock era.^[3]

Chart performance

In the US, the Four Freshmen recording reached number 27 on the Best Sellers in Stores chart.^[4] in 1956. The version by the Canadian vocal group, The Rover Boys (named after the popular college-themed literary characters), reached number 16 on the U.S. charts.

Cover versions

• Bobby Pickett released his own version of the song in 1963.^[5]
• The song was a concert staple of the Beach Boys, who were deeply influenced by the Four Freshmen.^[6] A recording of it was featured on the live Capitol Records album Beach Boys Concert (1964), and a studio version was included as a bonus track on the 1990 Today! & Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) compilation CD.^{[7] [8]}
• In 1967, The Arbors, recorded their version and included on their, The Arbors Sing Valley Of The Dolls LP.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Original versions of Graduation Day written by Joe Sherman [US1], Noel Sherman]. Secondhandsongs.com. 28 April 2021.
2. Book: Continuities in Popular Culture: The Present in the Past & the Past in the Present and Future. 9780879725938. Browne. Ray Broadus. Ambrosetti. Ronald J.. 1993. a single from the Capitol album Freshman Favorites,
3. The Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era p218
4. Book: Whitburn, Joel . Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012 . Joel Whitburn . 2013 . Record Research . 312.
5. Bobby Pickett, 44177 Graduation Day, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxvEqZaAQNE
6. Beach Boys - Graduation Day, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YGXJH1KjSs
7. Graduation Day (Live / 2001 Remastered), YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujPojOwEgn8
8. Web site: The Beach Boys – Today & Summer Days And Summer Nights (1990, CD) . Discogs . 2024-04-10 . 2024-05-21.
9. Web site: The Arbors Sing Valley Of The Dolls. Discogs.com. 1967 . February 3, 2021.