Most Americans who attended elementary school in the last few decades are likely familiar with a particular song. It’s not a pop hit, nor a traditional folk tune, but an educational jingle that has cemented itself into the cultural consciousness: “Fifty Nifty United States.” Beyond just a catchy melody, the “50 Nifty United States Song Lyrics” serve as a powerful mnemonic device, helping generations memorize the names of all fifty states in alphabetical order.
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 the opening verses about flags and colonies might be less memorable, the part that truly sticks is the rapid-fire recitation of states: “Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut…” This alphabetical roll call, ending with “West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyohhhhhh-ming!” is the earworm that many carry from childhood into adulthood.
For countless individuals, including Broadway luminary Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Fifty Nifty United States” is a nostalgic touchstone of elementary school music classes. Miranda himself fondly recalled it as “my favorite song from elementary-school chorus,” even flawlessly performing the state roll call before a show in September. This widespread recognition begs the question: How did a seemingly simple novelty song from a 1960s variety show become such an enduring and effective educational tool?
The Origins of “Fifty Nifty United States”
The story begins on November 1, 1961, on Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall. This weekly variety show, though not a top-rated program, introduced a segment dedicated to celebrating individual states. For this “state-of-the-week” feature, a new theme song was needed. Enter Ray Charles – not the legendary soul singer, but a prolific composer and arranger for stage and screen. This Ray Charles, who passed away in 2015 at 96, was a behind-the-scenes musical force, known for composing for shows like Three’s Company, Sha Na Na, and The Muppet Show.
Initially, Charles penned a short and sweet theme song, approximately 47 seconds long, for Perry Como’s state tributes. This original version, performed by the Ray Charles Singers, lacked the now-iconic alphabetical state list. Interestingly, Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall only managed to feature 25 states before the segment, and subsequently the show itself, concluded in 1963. This brevity makes the song’s later widespread adoption even more remarkable.
The Song’s Transformation into an Educational Tool
The pivotal moment in the song’s history occurred when someone recognized its potential beyond the television screen and approached Ray Charles about publishing it. As Charles’ son Jonathan explained, “How do you publish a tune that’s only 47 seconds long in its entirety?” This question spurred Charles to create “the add-on” – the alphabetical listing of all fifty states. This decision, driven by practicality rather than rhyme or melody, proved to be the key to the song’s enduring success.
Ray Charles’ personality likely played a role in this alphabetical choice. Described by his sons as “a saver and an archivist” and someone who “loved putting things in alphabetical order,” Charles’ meticulous nature extended to his extensive music collection and, ultimately, to the structure of “Fifty Nifty United States.”
During the mid-20th century, a burgeoning market emerged for sheet music arrangements of popular songs, particularly for school choirs. Choir directors eagerly sought accessible and engaging tunes for their students, moving beyond traditional classical pieces. The publication of “Fifty Nifty United States” tapped into this demand. The publishers correctly anticipated that music educators would embrace a song that was catchy, wholesome, and patriotic, especially one that could serve an educational purpose.
The exact path of the song’s dissemination among educators remains somewhat unclear, but there are hints. In the summer of 1963, “Fifty Nifty United States” was performed at the National Education Association’s annual meeting in Michigan. This performance may have sparked interest among the thousands of educators present. Further solidifying its patriotic appeal, the American Legion Auxiliary, a women’s patriotic organization with many teachers among its members, featured the lyrics in their national newsletter in 1970 as a “suggested patriotic song for October.”
Anecdotal evidence further suggests the song’s gradual integration into classrooms. Ray Charles’ former lawyer recalled learning it in a New Jersey public school in the late 1960s or early 1970s. By 1975, the song appeared in a music conference program performed by an elementary school choir in Ann Arbor, indicating its growing presence in music education curricula.
Why “Fifty Nifty United States” Became So Popular
The reasons behind “Fifty Nifty United States”‘s enduring popularity as an educational tool are multifaceted. Debra Erck, a music teacher who has taught the song for decades, highlights several key factors. She started using it in 1988 when her school district adopted the Music and You textbook series, which included the sheet music for the song.
Mrs. Erck emphasizes the song’s inherent appeal to children. Its “catchy tune, quick rhythms, and of course, the challenge” make it engaging and fun to learn. Furthermore, compared to other patriotic songs, “Fifty Nifty United States” is more accessible to young learners. Its lyrics are contemporary, avoiding archaic language, and the melodic range is manageable for children’s voices, unlike the wide range of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Beyond its musical attributes, the song’s effectiveness as a mnemonic device is undeniable. The alphabetical structure, combined with the rhythm and melody, makes memorizing the states significantly easier. The song transforms a potentially rote learning task into an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Finally, and perhaps surprisingly, the song’s subtle patriotism contributes to its appeal. “Fifty Nifty United States” is not overtly nationalistic or jingoistic. Instead, it presents a simple catalog of the nation’s components – the states themselves. It’s a factual listing, devoid of grand narratives about American exceptionalism or historical events. This understated approach makes it broadly palatable and avoids potential political sensitivities.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Decades after its creation, “Fifty Nifty United States” remains a cultural touchstone. Its intergenerational appeal is evident in the shared experience of learning and remembering the song across different age groups. From elementary school classrooms to casual trivia games, the song continues to be relevant and useful. As Ray Charles himself quipped, knowing the song is a “way to win a bet at the bar.” In an era of instant information access, the ability to quickly recall all fifty states thanks to this catchy tune is still impressive and practical.
While “Fifty Nifty United States” might not be Ray Charles’ most artistically profound work, its enduring legacy as an educational tool is undeniable. In a society that often feels divided, this simple song serves as a unifying cultural artifact, passed down through generations, retaining its catchiness, challenge, and educational value. It’s a testament to the unexpected power of a simple melody and an alphabetized list to become ingrained in the collective memory of a nation.
