In a vote by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, The Flaming Lips’ song “Do You Realize??” was turned down as the state’s official rock song, despite winning the online public vote. But in swift action, Oklahoma’s Governor Brad Henry has overruled the House’s verdict, giving the Oklahoma natives the credit they deserve.
According to The Oklahoman, the Oklahoma House voted 48-39 against Senate Joint Resolutions 24, which would have made “Do You Realize??” the state’s official rock song. The band barely missed out, as 51 votes are required to win in the House.
Reports said that some representatives were not fond of the band’s outfit selections and their ‘foul mouthed’ language. According to The Oklahoman, Rep. Corey Holland said he didn’t like when “one of the band members wore a red t-shirt with a yellow sickle and hammer on it when the Flaming Lips came last month to the Capitol,” and he was really offended by it. Another Oklahoma House representative, Mike Reynolds also said that the band’s use of obscene language was offensive when they were in Oklahoma City for a street-naming ceremony, a few years back.
Despite specific House representatives’ reservations, Governor Henry has decided to make an executive order to instate “Do You Realize??” as the state’s official rock song, because the citizens of Oklahoma voted on it, and it should be their choice.
The Governor praised The Flaming Lips for their success over the past couple decades, and said they are a truly iconic rock ‘n’ roll band that are proud ambassadors of their home state. “They were clearly the people’s choice, and I intend to honor that vote,” Governor Henry said in his press release.
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April 24th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
now just give wayne coyne a key to the capitol, and his life will be complete…
April 24th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Kudos to Governor Henry for approving the song anyway. 11,000 Oklahomans chose the song, and they should not have been punished because one perpetual adolescent wore a symbol of death and destruction on his T-shirt as an ironically-hip fashion statement.
But can we also agree that it’s high time to stop treating communist symbols as cute? The hammer and sickle represents a boot stomping on collective humanity’s face. Tens of millions of innocents died at the hand of dehumanizing communist regimes.
The hammer and sickle is a hateful symbol. Let’s have the moral courage to call it what it is.
That said, I’m glad the Lips’ song is the new official state rock song of Oklahoma! It’s a great song!