Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” To Become Official Rock Song of Oklahoma In Less Than Two Minutes

As an Oklahoma transplant here in Los Angeles last fall I took it upon myself to instigate what may, with hindsight, ultimately be considered a brutal email harrassment campaign of my friends and family from Oklahoma — those who grew up there, and those that live there still — urging them to vote for their favorite State Rock Song in an online poll. (“Vote Alice in Chains! Vote ‘Cocaine’ by Clapton, that one really screams Oklahoma! – ohshitnowaitjesus vote Jackson Browne! … ” etc ad infinitum) Following said inbox pummelling, the Flaming Lips eventually and somewhat predictably appeared victorious in the poll, their nominated 2002 hit “Do You Realize??” now slated to become the first and possibly only official state rock song of Oklahoma. All ten finalists sans Jackson Browne can be found here. Where was I going with this? Oh, right:

Fuck Yeah Motherfuckers Oklahoma Has A State Rock Song. One Rodgers-and-Hammerstein-penned state song in this day and age simply doesn’t cut it. Call me selfish, but as a former resident I’d also like to see a State Country Song, State Punk Song, State Movie, State ABC Television Series, State Fast Food Chain (obvs Sonic [nasdaq: SONC]), State Domesticated Housepet, State OU-Fan-Driving-A-White-Dualie, and State Gravy. Hell, why not.

Assuming you weren’t one of the people slammed with best rock song campaign slogans-in-the-inbox by yours truly last fall, you may still have already heard about the vote and today’s impending ceremony from the Lips’ email list, myspace and/or various media outlets, including the BBC’s implied suggestion that Oklahoma politicians might just be a bunch of uptight assholes (not disagreeing; just noting the BBC’s coverage). In a nutshell the Lips’ song basically progressed from being one of roughly 500 open song submissions, to becoming a vote on the floor of the State Senate as worthy of becoming the State Rock Song of Oklahoma. Fun twist: The more-or-less assumed affirmation-of-the-song passed the Senate, but was then actually blocked by the Oklahoma House of Representatives (allegedly due to the fact that Michael Ivins likes to wear hammer-and-sickle T-shirts) before being overturned by Governor Brad Henry via executive order, which will be signed, hopefully with a flourish, at today’s event. LESSON: ROCK PREVAILS OVER POLITICS. From the myspace and email list:

On Tuesday, April 28, at 2:00pm, the Oklahoma History Center will host a Gala event celebrating the signing of the executive order proclamation by Governor Brad Henry declaring “Do You Realize??” the OFFICIAL OKLAHOMA STATE ROCK SONG as well as FLAMING LIPS DAY in the great state of Oklahoma. Statements will be made by Governor Brad Henry, Dr. Bob Blackburn, Executive Director of the Oklahoma History Center; Jill Simpson, Director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Commission, State Representative Joe Dorman, Senator Mike Schultz and of course, Wayne Coyne of THE FLAMING LIPS.

The Oklahoma History Center is located at 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, and anyone is welcome to show up and show their support, so come on down. (source)

Raise a glass to the first Flaming Lips Day and the rock that is the State of Oklahoma this eve. Won’t you?

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» The Flaming Lips @ The Petco Park Parking Lot, San Diego, 8/25/07
» Mr. T Visitor Guide: Wayne Coyne Incident, SXSW (2007)
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