In the realm of educational songs, few tunes are as enduring and effective as the “United States 50 States Song,” often affectionately known as “Fifty Nifty United States.” This seemingly simple song, born from a 1960s variety show, has embedded itself into the cultural consciousness of generations of Americans, serving as an unforgettable mnemonic device for learning the fifty states in alphabetical order. While many may recall the rapid-fire recitation of state names from their elementary school days, the story behind this song’s creation and unexpected rise to national prominence is as engaging as the melody itself. Let’s explore the history of this earworm and uncover why the “United States 50 States Song” continues to resonate and educate.
From Variety Show Novelty to Classroom Staple: The Unexpected Journey of “Fifty Nifty United States”
The origin of the “United States 50 States Song” can be traced back to November 1, 1961, on Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall. This weekly variety show, a popular television fixture of the era, introduced a segment dedicated to celebrating individual states. To accompany this feature, a catchy theme song was needed, and thus, “Fifty Nifty United States” was born. Penned by Ray Charles (not the iconic soul singer, but a prolific composer and arranger for stage and screen), the initial version was a brief and spirited tribute.
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
Let’s salute one now!
While this introductory verse is charmingly patriotic, it’s the subsequent alphabetical listing of the states that truly cemented the song’s legacy. This state roll call, starting with “Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,” and culminating in “West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyohhhhhh-ming!” became the defining characteristic of the song, transforming it from a simple jingle into a powerful educational tool.
The Composer Behind the States: Ray Charles, the Unsung Musical Architect
Ray Charles, the composer of “Fifty Nifty United States,” enjoyed a long and successful career in show business, crafting music for various platforms including television and stage. Despite his prolific output, which included composing the theme song for Three’s Company and contributing to Sha Na Na and The Muppet Show, Charles remained largely unaware of the widespread adoption of “Fifty Nifty United States” in classrooms across the nation. In a 2008 interview, he expressed surprise at the song’s enduring popularity as an educational aid, revealing he only became aware of its use in schools about a decade prior.
The initial version of “Fifty Nifty United States” written for Perry Como’s show was concise, lasting only around 47 seconds and lacking the now-iconic alphabetical state list. Interestingly, Perry Como’s state-of-the-week segment itself fell short of its ambitious goal, only highlighting 25 states before the show’s conclusion in 1963. This makes the song’s subsequent journey to becoming a ubiquitous educational tool even more remarkable.
The Accidental Mnemonic: How Alphabetical Order Secured the Song’s Immortality
The transformation of “Fifty Nifty United States” into the mnemonic device we know today was a result of a practical decision rather than intentional design. According to Ray Charles’ sons, Jonathan and Michael, the song’s expansion occurred when someone approached Charles about publishing the piece after its appearance on Kraft Music Hall. Faced with the challenge of publishing a song under a minute long, Charles opted to extend it by adding the alphabetical list of states.
This decision to list the states alphabetically, rather than attempting to rhyme them, proved to be a stroke of unintentional genius. Jonathan Charles described his father as meticulous and organized, an “archivist” who “loved putting things in alphabetical order.” This organizational inclination inadvertently created a perfect mnemonic device, tapping into the inherent structure of alphabetical order to aid memorization.
From Airwaves to Education: The Spread of “Fifty Nifty United States” in Schools
The mid-20th century witnessed a surge in popularity of choral groups and a growing market for accessible sheet music arrangements. Music publishers recognized the opportunity to cater to school choirs, who were eager to incorporate contemporary and engaging songs into their repertoire. The publication and distribution of “Fifty Nifty United States” capitalized on this trend, offering music educators a catchy, wholesome, and patriotic song perfectly suited for classroom learning.
While the precise mechanisms of its widespread adoption remain somewhat unclear, certain events offer clues to the song’s dissemination. In the summer of 1963, “Fifty Nifty United States” was performed at the National Education Association’s annual meeting, potentially exposing thousands of educators to its mnemonic potential. Furthermore, in 1970, the American Legion Auxiliary newsletter, widely read by patriotic women, many of whom were teachers, featured the lyrics as a suggested patriotic song for October. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that some teachers began incorporating the song into their curriculum as early as the late 1960s and early 1970s.
A promotional image for Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall TV show, highlighting the program where “Fifty Nifty United States” debuted.
The Enduring Appeal: Why “Fifty Nifty United States” Sticks in Our Heads
The enduring popularity of “Fifty Nifty United States” as an educational tool stems from several factors. Debra Erck, a music teacher who has taught the song for decades, emphasizes its “catchy tune, quick rhythms, and of course, the challenge” as key elements of its appeal to children. She also points out its accessibility compared to other patriotic songs, noting the contemporary lyrics and manageable melodic range, unlike the more demanding “Star-Spangled Banner.”
Beyond its musical attributes, the song’s effectiveness as a mnemonic device is undeniable. The alphabetical structure combined with the rhythmic delivery makes memorizing the states significantly easier and more engaging than rote learning from a list. The song transforms a potentially tedious task into a fun and memorable experience, contributing to its lasting impact on generations of students.
More Than Just a List: The Cultural Significance of “Fifty Nifty United States”
In a landscape of often complex and sometimes divisive patriotic expressions, “Fifty Nifty United States” stands out for its simple and inclusive nature. It avoids overt jingoism, focusing instead on a straightforward catalog of the nation’s constituent parts. As Ray Charles himself noted, the song is “just a catalog of our nation’s contents—an indisputable list of ingredients for America.”
In an increasingly polarized society, “Fifty Nifty United States” serves as a rare point of shared cultural experience, passed down through generations without losing its appeal or relevance. It’s a testament to the power of a simple, catchy tune to not only educate but also to unite, offering a shared understanding of the fundamental components of the United States. So, the next time you find yourself humming “Alabama, Alaska,” remember the unexpected journey of this little song that could, and its enduring place in American culture and education.
Ray Charles, the composer of the “Fifty Nifty United States” song, pictured in a promotional shot.
