Oklahoma’s new official state rock song gets national coverage for the state, Flaming Lips

Posted by brandy

on March 4, 2009M at 4:41 pm

Flaming Lips front man Wayne Coyne celebrates Senate Joint Resolution 24 that names “Do You Realize??” as the Official Oklahoma Rock Song. Seated next to Coyne is Lt. Gov Jari Askins, left, and Coyne’s wife Michelle Martin-Coyne, right. (Photo by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman)

On Monday, the Oklahoma State Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 24, declaring the Flaming Lips song “Do You Realize??” the Official Oklahoma Rock Song.

The Senate made it official, but the choice was the result of a vote of the people, with more than 21,000 casting their ballots.

“Do You Realize??,” which won my vote, beat out a field of nine other worthy candidates:

- “Heartbreak Hotel,” co-written by Oklahoma schoolteacher Mae Boren Axton;

- “Let’s Have a Party,” recorded by Wanda Jackson;

- “Walk, Don’t Run,” recorded by the Ventures;

- “After Midnight,” written and recorded by Oklahoman J.J. Cale;

- “Never Been to Spain,” written by Oklahoman Hoyt Axton and performed by Three Dog Night;

- “Home Sweet Oklahoma,” recorded by Leon Russell;

- “Oklahoma,” by the Call;

- “Move Along,” by the All-American Rejects; and

- “Endless Oklahoma Sky,” by John Moreland and the Black Gold Band.

“Do You Realize??” is an incredibly meaningful and beautiful song, with universal themes. I didn’t feel the song needed to be specifically about Oklahoma to represent the state well, and apparently, most voters didn’t either. (Mostly, I’m just relieved that we had a field of genuine rock songs to vote on. Many people in the initial nomination process submitted country or folk songs, but we’ve already got official versions of those.)

Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Pitchfork, A.V. Club and Rolling Stone are among the many national media outlets that have reported on the Lips’ latest honor. Many noted that only a few states are awesome enough to have official state rock songs.

The always helpful guys over at Oklahoma Rock Newsblog have put together a round-up of what people are saying about the choice. Click here to check it out.

Since it saves me the trouble have having to round up all those links myself, I say its just one more reason to bookmark Oklahoma Rock Newsblog. Like right now, guys.

-BAM

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