The Ultimate Guide To The 50 States Song Lyrics: From Animaniacs To Modern Education

The quest to memorize all 50 U.S. states and their capitals is a rite of passage for American students, and for decades, the most effective (and catchiest) tool has been a song. As of late 2024, the undisputed king of these musical mnemonic devices remains a fast-paced, witty number from a classic animated series: "Wakko's America." This song, which lists every state and its capital in a dizzying two-minute performance, has cemented itself as the definitive "50 States Song" for an entire generation.

The enduring popularity of the *Animaniacs* tune speaks to the power of music in memory, but it’s not the only game in town. Modern educational resources, like those from Kids Learning Tube and Have Fun Teaching, offer fresh, updated takes on the geography challenge, often in alphabetical or regional order for easier learning. Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or just trying to win a trivia night, here is the complete, definitive breakdown of the most popular 50 States Songs and their iconic lyrics.

The Iconic Lyrics: Wakko's America (The 50 States and Capitals Song)

The "Wakko's America" song, formally titled "The 50 State Capitols," first aired in 1993 as part of the *Animaniacs* series, in the episode "Hercule Yakko." The song is a geographical tour-de-force, listing all 50 states and their capitals, often rhyming the capital with an unrelated phrase or a fun fact. The lyrics were penned by the legendary *Animaniacs* songwriter Randy Rogel, and the melody is based on the traditional folk tune "Turkey in the Straw."

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The brilliance of the song lies in its rapid-fire delivery and clever rhyming, which helps create a strong mnemonic link between the state and its capital. The song is performed by Wakko Warner, voiced by Jess Harnell, who manages to pack a tremendous amount of information into a short, unforgettable musical segment.

Full Lyrics to Wakko's America

The song is structured as Wakko's answer to a "Jeopardy!"-style Daily Double question, listing the states and their capitals in a non-alphabetical, geographically scattered order that creates a unique flow.

(Verse 1)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Indianapolis, Indiana
And Columbus is the capital of Ohio.
There's Montgomery, Alabama, south of Helena, Montana
Then we go to Kansas City, Kansas? No, it's Topeka, Kansas!
And then there's Salem, Oregon; Phoenix, Arizona
Lansing, Michigan; and then there's Trenton, New Jersey.

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(Verse 2)
South Dakota, Pierre; and Augusta, Maine
Concord, New Hampshire, just a quick stop on the train.
There's Boise, Idaho; and then there's Lincoln, Nebraska
And then there's Madison, Wisconsin; and then there's Cheyenne, Wyoming.

(Verse 3)
And then there's Sacramento, California; and then there's Denver, Colorado
And then there's Nashville, Tennessee; and then there's Austin, Texas.
And then there's Salt Lake City, Utah; and then there's Honolulu, Hawaii
And then there's Providence, Rhode Island; and then there's Jackson, Mississippi.

(Verse 4)
And then there's Des Moines, Iowa; and then there's St. Paul, Minnesota
And then there's Raleigh, North Carolina; and then there's Columbia, South Carolina.
And then there's Bismarck, North Dakota; and then there's Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
And then there's Frankfort, Kentucky; and then there's Richmond, Virginia.

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(Verse 5)
And then there's Albany, New York; and then there's Charleston, West Virginia
And then there's Hartford, Connecticut; and then there's Boston, Massachusetts.
And then there's Little Rock, Arkansas; and then there's Carson City, Nevada
And then there's Juneau, Alaska; and then there's Dover, Delaware.

(Verse 6)
And then there's Springfield, Illinois; and then there's Jefferson City, Missouri
And then there's Annapolis, Maryland; and then there's Atlanta, Georgia.
And then there's Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and then there's Montpelier, Vermont
And then there's Olympia, Washington; and then there's Helena, Montana.

(Verse 7)
And then there's Santa Fe, New Mexico; and then there's Trenton, New Jersey
And then there's Tallahassee, Florida; and then there's Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
And then there's Columbia, South Carolina; and then there's Richmond, Virginia
And then there's Austin, Texas; and then there's Nashville, Tennessee.

(Coda)
That's all the capitals there are! Whew!

Modern Alternatives: Educational 50 States Songs of 2024

While "Wakko's America" remains a cultural touchstone, many educators and parents prefer a more structured approach to learning. The modern landscape of educational songs, often found on YouTube, focuses on alphabetical or regional organization to make the task less daunting for younger children. These songs provide a valuable, up-to-date alternative to the rapid-fire *Animaniacs* classic.

The Alphabetical Approach: Kids Learning Tube

Kids Learning Tube (KLT) is a popular educational channel that features a "50 States of America" song. This version is a fresh and unique take where each state literally sings about itself and its capital city. This personification of the states helps children connect a voice and personality to the geography, which is a powerful memory aid. The song often lists the states in alphabetical order, beginning with Alabama and Alaska, making it easier to track progress and recall the sequence. This method is highly effective for systematic memorization.

The Regional Approach: Have Fun Teaching

Another highly-rated and current educational song is the "50 States Song (Find It On The Map)" by Have Fun Teaching. This song was recently re-released or updated, with one version noting a September 2024 release date, ensuring its freshness. This version often groups the states by region—Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West—encouraging students to learn not just the names, but also the relative locations on a map, a crucial geography skill. The lyrics are simple and catchy, designed for classroom sing-alongs and easy repetition.

The Science of Memorization: Why These Songs Work

The reason the "50 States Song" and its variations are so effective lies in the field of cognitive psychology, specifically through the use of Mnemonic Devices.

• Musical Mnemonic: The melody and rhythm of a song act as a powerful anchor. By associating a piece of information (the state and capital) with a specific beat and tune, you create multiple pathways for retrieval in the brain. If you forget the name, the melody can often cue the memory.
• Rhyme and Alliteration: Randy Rogel’s genius in "Wakko's America" uses rhyme extensively (e.g., "Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Indianapolis, Indiana"). Rhyming is a classic mnemonic technique that forces a connection between two disparate pieces of information, making them easier to recall as a pair.
• Chunking: Educational songs often group states alphabetically or regionally. This technique, known as "chunking," breaks down the massive list of 50 items into smaller, more manageable groups (e.g., the New England states, the "A" states), which reduces the cognitive load on working memory.
• Repetition: Most of these songs are designed for repeated listening, which reinforces the neural pathways associated with the information. The more you sing the song, the more the knowledge transfers from short-term to long-term memory.

Whether you prefer the nostalgic, high-speed challenge of "Wakko's America" or the systematic, modern approach of an alphabetical song, incorporating a musical mnemonic is the most powerful way to conquer the challenge of memorizing the 50 states and capitals. The enduring legacy of these songs proves that sometimes, the best way to learn is to sing!