After The Flaming Lips’, “Do You Realize?” had gone through an extensive voting process and was named state’s official rock song (AWESOME), the Oklahoma House of Representatives said NO and shut down the movement of the process. Via the Los Angeles Times:
Rep. Corey Holland, R-Marlow, debated against the resolution, saying he was bothered 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 when results of an online voting contest showed their song to be the clear-cut winner. “I was really offended by that,” Holland said.
Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, also spoke against the measure, saying the band has a reputation for using obscene language, recalling band members used offensive language several years ago when the city of Oklahoma City named an alley after the band.
“Their lips ought to be on fire,” Reynolds said.
Today, Governor Brad Henry interfered and announced he plans on signing an executive order naming the song the official rock song. Being from Illinois, I didn’t realize that governors could make great things happen for people other than senior citizens. What a cool thing for a Governor to do to throw “the people” some power.
The 10 finalists the Flaming Lips were up against:
“Heartbreak Hotel,” co-written by Oklahoma school teacher Mae Boren Axton and recorded by Elvis Presley
“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 and re-released by Eric Clapton
“Never Been to Spain,” by Oklahoman Hoyt Axton and made famous by Three Dog Night
“Home Sweet Oklahoma,” written and recorded by Leon Russell
“Oklahoma,” by the Call
“Move Along,” by the All-American Rejects
“Endless Oklahoma Sky,” by John Moreland and the Black Gold Band
Getting really reved to see the Flaming Lips at Pitchfork. Follow them via Pitchfork Media.
Posted by frumpyali 
