Five for Fighting’s ‘100 Years’ Earns Graduation Playlist
Ondrasik’s song '100 Years' makes graduation playlists also striking chords in gowns alike
Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.
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Track Earns Graduation Playlist Spot
John Ondrasik, better known by his stage name Five for Fighting, is celebrating after The Today Show included his hit single “100 Years” in a curated list of “30 Graduation Songs that Deliver all the Pomp and Circumstance.” In a recent Instagram post, Ondrasik thanked the morning program and joked, “Don’t play this one for the parents — it gets them every time.” The song’s wistful reflection on the rapid passage of life struck a chord with the Today Show producers and now joins other anthems of commencement season.
Song’s Origin And Legacy
“100 Years” first appeared on Five for Fighting’s 2004 album The Battle for Everything. Co-written and produced by Ondrasik, the piano-driven ballad climbed to No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, cementing its status as a milestone in his catalog. On his Wikipedia page, Ondrasik is credited with crafting introspective, piano-based pop songs that bridge personal storytelling and universal themes—qualities that helped “100 Years” become a go-to choice at graduations, weddings and reflective milestones.
Artist’s Reaction On Instagram
In the May 2024 Instagram update (@fiveforfightingmusic), Ondrasik shared a screen grab of The Today Show’s segment, adding gratitude to his caption: “Thank you @todayshow for including ‘100 Years’ in your list of 30 Graduation Songs that Deliver all the Pomp and Circumstance!” His playful warning—“Don’t play this one for the parents”—acknowledges the song’s knack for evoking nostalgia among older listeners.
Live Performances Keep The Song Alive
Ondrasik’s recent gigs have kept “100 Years” firmly in the spotlight. In a May 2025 post, he recreated a 2018 snapshot at City Winery Atlanta, this time joined by his longtime bandmates the Christian Family. The #thenandnow photo, tagged #100years, shows the musician still pouring heart into live renditions of the track. Fans on Instagram praised the performance, noting how the song’s lyrics—“I’m 15 for a moment”—mirror life’s accelerating pace even two decades after its release.
Why It Resonates At Commencements
At its core, “100 Years” is a meditation on life’s chapters—youth, adulthood and beyond. Ondrasik reflects on his own journey through lines like “I’m 33 for a moment, still the man, but you see I’m very aware how fast the time goes.” That candid look at aging and aspiration makes it a fitting soundtrack for graduation ceremonies, when students stand on the threshold of the next big phase.
Ongoing streaming numbers confirm the song’s staying power: it boasts over 200 million Spotify plays and remains a fixture on Spotify’s “Graduation Classics” playlist. Its blend of simplicity and emotional heft clearly continues to connect with both graduates and their families.
Whether it’s a proud parent wiping away a tear or a cap-and-gown crowd humming along, “100 Years” has earned its place among the season’s defining moments. Ondrasik’s thankful post on Instagram underscores not only the song’s durability but also its unique ability to capture the bittersweet reality of time.
With this latest nod from The Today Show, Five for Fighting’s ballad will undoubtedly score countless future ceremonies—reminding every generation that life’s milestones, while fleeting, deserve a soundtrack that lingers long after the diplomas are handed out.
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