Songs About Mathematics have been created across various genres, proving that numbers and music share a deep connection.
From pop songs that play with numerical patterns to educational tracks designed to teach mathematical concepts, these songs make learning more engaging.
Artists have long used math as inspiration, incorporating sequences, ratios, and equations into their lyrics and rhythms.
Whether it’s a song celebrating the beauty of geometry or a track exploring the mysteries of infinity, math-themed music adds a unique twist to storytelling.
In this list, we explore a diverse collection of Songs About Mathematics that highlight the fascinating relationship between numbers and melody.
1. “Mathematics” by Mos Def (1999) – Perfect Conscious hip hop Song About Mathematics
About this song:
- Album: Black on Both Sides
- Released: 1999
- Artist: Mos Def
- Genre: Conscious hip hop
- Key Lyric: “You want to know how to rhyme you better learn how to add. It’s mathematics.”
Released in 1999, “Mathematics” is a thought-provoking track by Mos Def from his critically acclaimed debut album, Black on Both Sides.
The song was produced by DJ Premier, who created a distinctive beat that complements Mos Def’s sharp lyricism about numbers and their role in society.
Through clever wordplay, Mos Def highlights how statistics reflect deep social inequalities, touching on crime rates, economic disparity, and systemic oppression.
By using numbers metaphorically, he underscores how mathematics governs daily life, whether in music, finances, or racial profiling.
The song remains one of the most politically charged hip-hop tracks, proving that mathematics isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the reality we live in.
2. “Don’t Tell Me to Do the Math(s)” by Los Campesinos! (2008) – Best Pop Song About Mathematics
About this song:
- Album: Hold on Now, Youngster…
- Released: 2008
- Artist: Los Campesinos!
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, French Indie, Pop
- Key Lyric: “Please don’t tell me to do the math. Please don’t tell me to do the math.”
Los Campesinos! released “Don’t Tell Me to Do the Math(s)” in 2008 as part of their energetic and witty debut album, Hold on Now, Youngster….
The song plays with the idea of avoiding rationality in relationships, using mathematics as a metaphor for overanalyzing emotions.
By rejecting the notion of calculating love, the lyrics suggest that emotions cannot be broken down into simple formulas or predictable outcomes.
The fast-paced instrumentation and expressive vocals reflect the youthful rebellion against logical constraints in romantic experiences.
With its playful approach to the idea of mathematics, the song captures the tension between logic and emotion in human relationships.
3. “God Bows to Math” by Minutemen (1984) – Recommended Punk Song About Mathematics
About this song:
- Album: Double Nickels on the Dime
- Released: 1984
- Artist: Minutemen
- Genre: Punk
- Key Lyric: “In a tomb of Enoch. In the queen’s chambers.”
Minutemen’s “God Bows to Math” is a brief but intense punk track from their landmark album Double Nickels on the Dime, released in 1984.
The song is an abstract reflection on the power of numbers, hinting at the idea that even divine forces must acknowledge mathematical truths.
Minutemen’s politically charged style is evident in the cryptic lyrics, which allude to ancient wisdom, sacred geometry, and the universal nature of numbers.
With its rapid tempo and minimalist instrumentation, the song challenges listeners to reconsider the role of mathematics in both science and spirituality.
Though short in length, its message is powerful: mathematics is an undeniable force that shapes the world around us.
4. “Music Is Math” by Boards of Canada” by Boards of Canada (2002) – Awesome Dance Song
About this song:
- Album: Geogaddi
- Released: 2002
- Artist: Boards of Canada
- Genre: Dance/Electronic, Halloween music
- Key Lyric: “The past inside the present. Yellow ball.”
Boards of Canada released “Music Is Math” in 2002 as part of their critically acclaimed electronic album Geogaddi.
The song emphasizes the connection between music and mathematical patterns, showcasing how rhythm and harmony are based on numerical relationships.
With its hypnotic beats and ambient textures, the track creates an immersive experience that mirrors the structured yet fluid nature of mathematical equations.
Boards of Canada are known for their experimental soundscapes, and this song perfectly encapsulates their fascination with numerical sequences and symmetry.
By blending haunting melodies with precise electronic production, “Music Is Math” serves as a testament to the hidden mathematical structure within music.
5. “A Song About Pi” by Lucy Kaplansky (2013) – Remarkable Folk Song About Mathematics
About this song:
- Album: A Song About Pi
- Released: 2013
- Artist: Lucy Kaplansky
- Genre: Folk
- Key Lyric: “From Euclid to Pythagoras. From Gauss to Anaxag’ras.”
Lucy Kaplansky’s “A Song About Pi” is a unique folk song released in 2013 that celebrates the beauty of mathematics through music.
The lyrics pay tribute to famous mathematicians like Euclid, Pythagoras, and Gauss, weaving their contributions into a poetic narrative.
Kaplansky’s gentle voice and acoustic instrumentation give the song a warm and inviting feel, making complex mathematical concepts accessible to all listeners.
By highlighting the infinite nature of pi, the song illustrates how numbers hold a mysterious and endless fascination for humanity.
This track stands out as a rare example of folk music embracing mathematics, making it a delightful blend of art and science.
6. “Never Ending Math Equation” by Modest Mouse (1999) – Stunning Folk Song
About this song:
- Album: Building Nothing Out of Something
- Released: 1999
- Artist: Modest Mouse
- Genre: Alternative/Indie, French Indie, Folk
- Key Lyric: “The universe works on a math equation. That never even ever really even ends in the end.”
“Never Ending Math Equation” delves into themes of infinity and the cyclical nature of life, mirroring mathematical concepts in its lyrics.
Frontman Isaac Brock infuses the song with his signature philosophical musings, questioning existence through an abstract, mathematical lens.
The repetitive structure of the track mirrors the endless nature of numbers, reinforcing the idea of an ongoing equation without resolution.
Although the lyrics remain open to interpretation, the song captures a deep existential uncertainty, much like trying to solve an unsolvable equation.
With its raw instrumentation and hypnotic energy, Modest Mouse creates a sonic representation of the infinite loops and patterns found in mathematics.
7. “Finite Simple Group (of Order Two)” by The Klein Four (2005) – Excellent Math Rock Song About Mathematics
About this song:
- Album: Musical Fruitcake
- Released: 2005
- Artist: The Klein Four
- Genre: Math Rock
- Key Lyric: “I’m losing my identity. I’m getting tensor every day.”
The “Finite Simple Group (of Order Two)” is a clever mathematical love song packed with references to group theory and algebra.
Performed by The Klein Four, a cappella group made up of math students, the song turns high-level mathematics into witty, relatable lyrics.
The title itself refers to a specific concept in abstract algebra, playfully intertwining love and identity with rigid mathematical structures.
Its upbeat melody contrasts with the complex equations mentioned in the lyrics, making it an entertaining blend of academia and humor.
For those with a background in mathematics, the wordplay and puns add an extra layer of enjoyment, making it a cult favorite among math enthusiasts.
8. “Pi” by Kate Bush (2005) – Wonderful Art Rock Song
About this song:
- Album: Aerial
- Released: 2005
- Artist: Kate Bush
- Genre: Art Pop, Art Rock
- Key Lyric: “In a circle of infinity. But he must, he must, he must put a number to it.”
Kate Bush’s “Pi” is a mesmerizing ode to the infinite decimal, weaving its numerical sequence into the song’s hypnotic melody.
Bush sings a long sequence of the number π, evoking the endless, irrational nature of the mathematical constant.
The track reflects on the obsessive nature of mathematicians who dedicate their lives to uncovering patterns in infinite numbers.
Its dreamlike atmosphere and unconventional structure give it a unique place in music, capturing the abstract beauty of numbers.
By incorporating pure numerical recitation into an ethereal composition, Bush transforms mathematics into a poetic and emotional experience.
9. “Nonagon” by They Might Be Giants (2008) – Ideal Children’s Music Song About Mathematics
About this song:
- Album: Here Come the 123s
- Released: 2008
- Artist: They Might Be Giants
- Genre: Children’s Music
- Key Lyric: “Nonagon, lets in a guest who has shown up late. Its name is Octagon and its sides add up to eight.”
“Nonagon” is a delightful introduction to geometry, turning mathematical shapes into whimsical characters through catchy lyrics.
They Might Be Giants, known for their educational songs, bring a playful energy to this track, making learning about polygons engaging.
By personifying the nonagon and octagon, the song creates an imaginative way for children to remember the properties of these shapes.
The rhythmic structure and repetitive melody make the song memorable, reinforcing the mathematical concepts in a fun way.
This track proves that math-themed music isn’t just for the classroom—it can be entertaining for kids and adults alike.
10. “Lobachevsky” by Tom Lehrer (1953) – Amazing Easy Listening Song
About this song:
- Album: Songs by Tom Lehrer
- Released: 1953
- Artist: Tom Lehrer
- Genre: Vocal/Easy Listening
- Key Lyric: “Who made me the genius I am today. The mathematician that others all quote?.”
Tom Lehrer’s “Lobachevsky” is a humorous tribute to the Russian mathematician known for his work in non-Euclidean geometry.
The song playfully exaggerates the concept of plagiarism in academia, turning it into a satirical look at how ideas spread.
Lehrer, a mathematician himself, uses his signature wit to make complex mathematical history both educational and hilarious.
Despite its comedic nature, the song indirectly highlights Lobachevsky’s real contributions to geometry and theoretical math.
With its clever wordplay and lively piano, it remains a timeless classic for math lovers and satire enthusiasts alike.
Conclusion
Songs About Mathematics showcase the incredible link between numbers and music, making learning both fun and memorable.
Whether used for education or artistic expression, these songs prove that math is more than just formulas—it’s a rhythm that shapes our world.
From catchy tunes to thought-provoking lyrics, they highlight how numbers influence melody, harmony, and creativity.
No matter your musical taste, there’s a math-inspired song that can spark curiosity and appreciation for the beauty of mathematics.
Explore these Songs About Mathematics and discover how numbers and music come together in perfect harmony.