The Official Oklahoma Rock Song

There's an "official" just-about-everything for the state of Oklahoma, from flower to fruit, so why not an official Oklahoma state rock song as well? After all, say historians, few recognize Oklahoma's rich rock & roll heritage. So, this hard-hitting issues was conquered by the 2008 legislative session, and the question of the official Oklahoma state rock song was put to the people of our great state.

Initial Nominees

2008 Concurrent Resolution 1047 established a committee in charge of reviewing rock song submissions from anyone and everyone beginning in the spring. The nominations flooded in, representing a number of Oklahoma native bands and songwriters such as All-American Rejects and the Flaming Lips.

The committee, appointed by the Governor, legislature and the Oklahoma Historical Society, included:

• Former journalist and press secretary Phil Bacharach
• Radio disc jockey Ronnie Kaye
• Radio host Lacey Lett
• Musician and producer Steve Ripley
• Oklahoma music expert Ryan LaCroix
• Rogers State University professor Dr. Hugh Foley
• And promoter/music festival organizer Angie Devore-Green

Finalists Named

In August of 2008, the official Oklahoma rock song committee released its list of 10 finalists. They were:

• "Move Along" - The All-American Rejects (2006)
• "Oklahoma" - The Call (1986)
• "Do You Realize?" - The Flaming Lips (2002)
• "After Midnight" - J.J. Cale (1965)
• "Endless Oklahoma Sky" - John Moreland & the Black Gold Band (2008)
• "Home Sweet Oklahoma" - Leon Russell (1971)
• "Heartbreak Hotel" - Elvis Presley, co-written by Oklahoma school teacher Mae Boren Axton (1956)
• "Never Been to Spain" - Three Dog Night, written by Oklahoman Hoyt Axton (1971)
• "Walk, Don't Run" - The Ventures (1960)
• "Let's Have a Party" - Wanda Jackson, backed the Poe Cats with fellow Oklahoman Big Al Downing on piano (1960)

Voting

Final voting for Oklahoma's official state rock song ran from September 1, 2008 through November 15, 2008. Voters could listen to all of the final nominees and vote online. The winner was then submitted to the legislature in February of 2009.

Official State Rock Song Named

In early March of 2009, the legislature passed Senate Joint Resolution 24 declaring "Do You Realize" by the Flaming Lips as the Official Oklahoma Rock Song. The song, a single from the 2002 album "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" was chosen after 21,000 people voted. At a press conference following the announcement, Flaming Lips singer Wayne Coyne said of the experience, "It's a very absurd moment, but a beautiful, strange event in our lives."