50 States Song Lyrics: Full Versions & Best Way to Learn

Memorizing all 50 states is a rite of passage. Maybe you're a parent helping a third-grader prep for a geography quiz, a teacher looking for a fresh classroom tool, or an adult who just realized you can name 47 states but keep blanking on the last three. Wherever you're coming from, you've landed in the right place. This guide gathers the full lyrics to the most popular 50 states song lyrics out there, breaks down why each version works, and gives you tips for actually getting that list to stick. Because here's the thing: music makes memories. It's the same reason we built a whole platform around turning a photo into a song. When you attach information to a melody, your brain holds onto it differently. Let's find the version that clicks for you.

Table of Contents

• Why a Song Is the Best Way to Memorize the 50 States
• The Most Popular 50 States Songs (Lyrics & Breakdown)
• Which Version Should You Choose? (Quick Comparison)
• How to Teach the 50 States Song (Tips for Parents & Teachers)
• Beyond the Lyrics: Fun State Facts to Pair With the Song
• Frequently Asked Questions About the 50 States Song
• Make Your Own State Song (Yes, You Can!)
• The Bottom Line

Why a Song Is the Best Way to Memorize the 50 States

Think about the last time you got a jingle stuck in your head. You didn't try to memorize it. It just happened. That's the power of music as a learning tool. When you pair a list of words with rhythm, rhyme, and a tune, you're activating multiple parts of your brain at once. The auditory cortex, the language centers, and even the motor regions if you're tapping along all fire together. The result is a memory that's way stickier than anything you'd get from staring at a flashcard.

Research backs this up. Studies suggest that pairing information with a melody can improve retention by up to 60%. For kids, it turns a chore into a game. For adults, it's a surprisingly satisfying brain teaser. And honestly, there's something genuinely fun about rattling off all 50 states without pausing. This is exactly why we believe so strongly in turning photos into songs: music transforms something ordinary into something you carry with you. A list of states becomes a chant you'll still remember decades later. A photo of a road trip becomes a custom song you can play every anniversary. The principle is the same.

The Most Popular 50 States Songs (Lyrics & Breakdown)

There isn't just one "50 states song." A few different versions have made their way into classrooms, Spotify playlists, and living room sing-alongs over the years. Each has its own vibe, pace, and little quirks. Here are the three you're most likely to encounter, along with the lyrics and a quick breakdown of who each one works best for.

"Fifty Nifty United States" (The Classic)

If you learned a states song in elementary school, this was probably it. "Fifty Nifty United States" was written by Ray Charles, the songwriter and choral director, not the legendary soul singer. It's been a staple of school music programs for decades, and the Cooltime Kids version released in 2017 introduced it to a whole new generation.

The song is fast, energetic, and unapologetically patriotic. It opens by naming the 13 original colonies before launching into the full alphabetical list of states. The structure is almost chant-like, building momentum as it goes. By the time you hit Wyoming, you feel like you've accomplished something.

Here's how the lyrics go:

Fifty Nifty United States from thirteen original colonies
Fifty Nifty stars in the flag that billows so beautifully in the breeze
Each individual state contributes a quality that is great
Each individual state deserves a bow, we salute them now

Fifty Nifty United States from thirteen original colonies
Shout 'em, scout 'em, tell all about 'em
One by one till we've given a day in every state in the USA

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

North, South, East, West in our own objective opinion
New Mexico is the best of the Fifty Nifty United States

That last line about New Mexico always gets a reaction. It's a playful, opinionated twist that makes kids laugh and sparks debate. Why New Mexico? Who knows. But it's a fun reminder that even a memorization song can have personality.

This version is best for teachers leading a group, older elementary kids who can handle the speed, and anyone who loves a full-on patriotic anthem. It's not the gentlest introduction, but once you've got it down, you feel unstoppable.

"The 50 States That Rhyme" by Raggs

If "Fifty Nifty" feels like a sprint, Raggs' version is a comfortable walk. "The 50 States That Rhyme" takes a slower, more deliberate approach. Every state name is sung clearly, and the lyrics use end rhymes to link the states together in pairs or groups. That rhyming structure is a powerful mnemonic device, especially for younger kids who are still building their vocabulary.

The song also incorporates a counting mechanism. As it moves through the list, it periodically announces how many states are left. "35 to go," the singer says early on. Later: "Nebraska's 27, number 28's Nevada." This turns the song into a combined geography and counting exercise, which is brilliant for kindergarten through second grade.

Here's a taste of the lyrics:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas
California, Colorado, Connecticut
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky
Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire
New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina
North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina
South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah
Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia
Wisconsin, Wyoming

The song runs just 1 minute and 38 seconds, short enough to loop a few times during a car ride or a quick study break. It has over 1.1 million streams on Spotify, which tells you how many families and teachers have found it useful. If you're working with a child who gets overwhelmed easily, start here. The gentle pace and rhyming patterns make the list feel manageable rather than intimidating.

Dr. Jean's "50 States" (To the Tune of "Turkey in the Straw")

Dr. Jean Feldman has been creating educational songs for young children for years, and her approach to the 50 states is characteristically clever. Instead of writing a new melody, she sets the alphabetical list to the tune of "Turkey in the Straw," a folk song most kids already know. That familiarity is a huge advantage. When the melody is already in your head, you can focus entirely on the words.

Dr. Jean's version also includes interactive elements that get kids moving. After the final state, the song says, "We'll kiss our brains and say, 'Yahoo!'" It's silly, physical, and exactly the kind of thing that makes a preschool or kindergarten class erupt in giggles.

The lyrics follow the same alphabetical structure as the other versions, but the delivery is bouncy and playful. Dr. Jean also provides classroom activity suggestions on her website. She recommends giving each child an index card with a state name and having them hold it up when they hear it sung. You can also have kids stand when their birth state is called or point to states on a map as the song plays.

This version works beautifully for kinesthetic learners, preschool through first grade, and teachers who want a ready-made activity that goes beyond just singing. The combination of a known tune, physical movement, and visual aids hits every learning style at once.

Which Version Should You Choose? (Quick Comparison)

If you're not sure where to start, here's a simple way to decide. For speed and energy, go with "Fifty Nifty United States." It's challenging but rewarding, and older kids tend to love the pace. For younger children or anyone who needs a slower, more repetitive approach, Raggs' "The 50 States That Rhyme" is your best bet. The counting element adds an extra layer of learning without making it feel like work. And if you want a familiar tune that kids can sing on the very first try, Dr. Jean's version set to "Turkey in the Straw" is instantly accessible.

One pro tip: try all three in a single study session. Hearing the same list set to different melodies and rhythms reinforces the information from multiple angles. By the end, the alphabetical order will feel second nature no matter which tune is playing in your head.

How to Teach the 50 States Song (Tips for Parents & Teachers)

Knowing the lyrics is half the battle. The other half is making the learning experience stick. Here are a few strategies that turn passive listening into active learning.

Start with a map. As the song plays, point to each state. Better yet, let the child point. The combination of hearing the name, seeing the shape, and locating it spatially triples the sensory input. That's a lot of memory pathways firing at once.

Print out the lyrics. A free printable PDF of "The 50 States That Rhyme" is easy to find online, and having the words in front of them lets kids follow along even before they've memorized everything. It also helps early readers connect written state names with the sounds they're hearing.

Make it a game. Have kids stand up when they hear their birth state. Or the state where Grandma lives. Or a state they've visited on vacation. Suddenly it's personal, and personal memories are the stickiest kind.

Record them singing. Let kids hear their own voice rattling off all 50 states. It builds confidence and creates a keepsake you'll both treasure. That recording of a seven-year-old proudly stumbling through "Massachusetts" is the kind of thing you'll want to hold onto. It's the same instinct that makes people turn a photo into a song: some moments deserve to be preserved in sound, not just in pictures.

Beyond the Lyrics: Fun State Facts to Pair With the Song

Most 50 states songs stop at the names. But attaching a single memorable fact to each state makes the list come alive. Here are a few to sprinkle into your practice sessions.

Alabama was the first state to celebrate Mardi Gras, back in 1703. Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the United States combined. Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. New Mexico calls itself the Land of Enchantment, and it's the state that the "Fifty Nifty" songwriter playfully declared the best. California has the tallest trees on Earth, the coastal redwoods. Hawaii is the only state made entirely of islands. Kansas is flatter than a pancake, literally: scientists compared it and found the state has less topographic variation than an IHOP pancake.

Try this: write each fact on an index card, shuffle them, and have kids match the fact to the state as the song plays. It turns a memorization drill into a puzzle, and puzzles are way more fun.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 50 States Song

What are the 50 states in alphabetical order song? There are several popular versions. The most well-known are "Fifty Nifty United States," "The 50 States That Rhyme" by Raggs, and Dr. Jean's version set to "Turkey in the Straw." All three present the states in alphabetical order, from Alabama to Wyoming.

How does the 50 state song go? It depends which one you pick. "Fifty Nifty" is a fast, chant-like anthem. Raggs' version rhymes every line and counts down the remaining states. Dr. Jean's uses a folk tune most people already know. Each has its own rhythm and personality.

Can I get a printable version of the lyrics? Yes. A quick search will pull up free PDFs of "The 50 States That Rhyme" lyrics, and you can always copy the lyrics directly from this article.

Make Your Own State Song (Yes, You Can!)

Here's an idea. What if the song you used to teach the states wasn't a generic recording, but something made just for your family or classroom? Picture this: a photo from a summer road trip through the Southwest, or a snapshot of your child holding up their first completed US map. Now imagine that photo turned into an original song with real vocals, original lyrics, and a melody that belongs only to that memory.

That's what we do. You upload a photo, choose the occasion, and in about a minute you have a complete song ready to play, download, and share. It works for teachers who want a unique classroom anthem. It works for parents commemorating a milestone. It works for anyone who believes that the best memories deserve their own soundtrack. Your first song is free with just an email, no password or card required. If you want to send a song as a gift, that's an option too, whether it's for an anniversary, a birthday, or just because.

The Bottom Line

Learning the 50 states doesn't have to be a grind. Set the list to music, and it becomes something you actually want to sing. Whether you choose the classic "Fifty Nifty," the rhyming Raggs version, or Dr. Jean's folk tune, you'll have all 50 names locked in before you know it. And if you ever want to turn a special memory into a song of your own, you know where to find us.