The Ultimate Periodic Table Song Lyrics Guide: Tom Lehrer’s Classic Vs. The 118-Element AsapSCIENCE Update

Memorizing the 118 chemical elements is one of the most daunting tasks in introductory chemistry, but thanks to viral musical ingenuity, it’s become a global rite of passage for science students. The "Periodic Table Song" has evolved from a witty, mid-century novelty number into a modern, comprehensive learning tool, with the latest versions ensuring every element up to Oganesson is accounted for. As of late 2025, the debate remains: is the classic version still the best, or is the complete, modern update the only way to go?

This deep dive provides the essential lyrics, historical context, and the key differences between the two most famous renditions: the foundational work by Tom Lehrer and the definitive, 118-element update by AsapSCIENCE. Understanding the structure of these songs is the fastest way to master the entire Periodic Table of Elements.

The Classic Foundation: Tom Lehrer's "The Elements" (1959)

The original and arguably most influential "Periodic Table Song" is "The Elements," written and performed by the American mathematician, musical satirist, and lecturer Tom Lehrer. Released in 1959 on his album An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer, the song is a brilliant piece of musical comedy that quickly became an unexpected educational staple.

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Lehrer’s version lists all the chemical elements known at the time—a total of 102 elements—reciting them at breakneck speed. The song’s melody is famously borrowed from the "Major-General’s Song" from Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, *The Pirates of Penzance*.

The Elements: Tom Lehrer's Original Lyrics (Excerpt)

Lehrer’s lyrics are not in order of atomic number, but rather are rhymed and grouped for rhythmic effect, which adds to the chaotic, humorous nature of the song. The final element mentioned is Nobelium (element 102), which was the last confirmed element when the song was written.

Verse 1 (Opening):

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• There's antimony, arsenic, aluminum, selenium,
• And hydrogen and oxygen and nitrogen and rhenium,
• And nickel, neodymium, neptunium, germanium,
• And iron, americium, ruthenium, uranium,
• Europium, zirconium, lutetium, vanadium,
• And lanthanum and osmium and astatine and radium.

The Final Lines (Ending at 102):

• ...And holmium and helium and hafnium and erbium,
• And phosphorus and francium and fluorine and terbium,
• And manganese and mercury, molybdenum, magnesium,
• Dysprosium and scandium and cerium and — Nobelium!

This song cemented the idea of using music as a powerful mnemonic device for scientific facts, inspiring generations of educators and students.

The Modern Standard: AsapSCIENCE’s "The New Periodic Table Song" (118 Elements)

While Lehrer’s version is a classic, it became chemically obsolete as new elements were discovered and officially named. The need for a complete, updated song led to the creation of "The New Periodic Table Song (In Order)" by the popular YouTube educational channel AsapSCIENCE (created by Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown).

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First released in 2013 and officially updated in 2018 to include the four newest elements, the AsapSCIENCE version is the current gold standard for memorizing all 118 elements. Crucially, this song lists the elements in strict order of their atomic number (Z=1 to Z=118), making it a true educational map of the table.

The tune for this modern update is the highly recognizable and energetic "Can-Can" from Jacques Offenbach’s *Orpheus in the Underworld*, giving it a fast-paced, memorable rhythm.

The New Periodic Table Song: AsapSCIENCE Full Lyrics (Excerpt)

The AsapSCIENCE lyrics are structured to help students visualize the table, mentioning key concepts like the p-block and the transition metals, and explicitly listing all 118 elements. The 2018 update solidified the names approved by the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) for the final four elements.

The First Period (Z=1 to Z=10):

• There's Hydrogen and Helium
• Then Lithium, Beryllium
• Boron, Carbon everywhere
• Nitrogen all through the air
• With Oxygen so you can breathe
• And Fluorine for your pretty teeth
• Neon to light up the signs

The Transition Metals (Excerpt):

• Scandium, Titanium, Vanadium and Chromium
• And Manganese! This is the transition metal block!
• Iron and Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, Zinc!

The Final, Heaviest Elements (Z=113 to Z=118):

The song concludes by listing the elements that filled the seventh row, highlighting the most recent additions to the table:

• Nihonium, Flerovium, Moscovium, Livermorium,
• Tennessine, and finally, Oganesson!
• And then we're done!

Why These Songs Are the Ultimate Chemistry Mnemonic Device

The enduring popularity of the periodic table songs highlights a crucial aspect of learning: the power of music to aid memory. Both Lehrer’s and AsapSCIENCE’s versions function as highly effective mnemonic devices, but they serve slightly different educational purposes.

1. Topical Authority and Key Entities

An in-depth analysis of the lyrics reveals a wealth of chemistry entities that are essential for topical authority and a deeper understanding of the Periodic Table, originally organized by Dmitri Mendeleev. Incorporating these terms naturally connects the song to the broader subject of chemistry:

• Groups and Blocks: The AsapSCIENCE song implicitly guides listeners through the s-block (Alkali Metals and Alkaline Earth Metals), the d-block (Transition Metals), and the p-block.
• Key Families: Elements like Noble Gases (Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, Radon, Oganesson), Alkali Metals (Lithium, Sodium, Potassium), and Halogens (Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, Astatine, Tennessine) are all included.
• The Inner Transition Series: The song must accommodate the Lanthanides and Actinides (the two rows often separated at the bottom), which span elements 57-71 and 89-103, respectively.
• Recent Discoveries: The modern song includes the newest synthetic elements like Moscovium (115) and Tennessine (117), which are vital for a current understanding of the table.

2. The Power of Order vs. The Joy of Rhyme

The main difference lies in structure:

• AsapSCIENCE (Order): By listing all 118 elements sequentially by atomic number, the song directly maps the listener's memory to the table's physical arrangement. This is invaluable for students needing to recall the exact order of elements, their chemical symbol, or their position on the table.
• Tom Lehrer (Rhyme): The strength of Lehrer’s version is its rapid-fire, clever rhyming scheme. It’s a pure feat of memorization and linguistic dexterity that proves that even the most obscure elements can be made catchy. While not a practical tool for the modern table, its cultural impact is undeniable.

In conclusion, while Tom Lehrer’s "The Elements" remains a beloved cultural artifact and a testament to the power of musical satire, the AsapSCIENCE "New Periodic Table Song" is the definitive, practical, and up-to-date educational resource for anyone looking to master the 118 elements of the periodic table in 2025 and beyond. Whether you prefer the classic Gilbert and Sullivan rhythm or the energetic Can-Can, these songs prove that learning chemistry can be a truly musical experience.