Oklahoma Picks Official Oklahoma Rock & Roll Song
Contact: Oklahoma Film and Music Office, Jill Simpson
(405) 233-8440
Contact: Oklahoma Historical Society, Michael Dean
(405) 522-5241
Oklahoma City, OK
March 2, 2009
For Immediate Release
The Oklahoma State Legislature will vote today on Senate Joint Resolution 24. Sponsored by Senator Mike Schulz and Representative Joe Dorman, the bill names “Do You Realize??” by the Flaming Lips as the Official Oklahoma Rock Song. The selection of an official rock and roll song recognizes the outstanding achievements of Oklahomans in the genre which dominated the last half of the twentieth century.
A planning meeting between the Oklahoma History Center and the Oklahoma Film & Music Office generated the idea for an official Oklahoma rock song. Jeff Moore, Director of Exhibits for the Oklahoma History Center, recalled “we were discussing Oklahoma’s impact in Rock and Roll and it became clear that there are so many artists, landmark venues, and business connections that Oklahoma needs to formally recognize this remarkable heritage.”
Jill Simpson, Director of the Oklahoma Film & Music Office, expressed "The legislature's official naming of "Do You Realize??" as Oklahoma's Official Rock Song is the culmination of an almost two year process. I don't think any of us involved anticipated just how tough this choice was going to be for both our panel of judges and the voting public. Each of our ten finalists has had a huge impact on rock and roll. It's a testament to the depth of musical talent coming out of Oklahoma."
Nominations for the rock song were collected from February-July 2008. More than 2,498 nominations were submitted for 458 songs. After verifying that each recommendation had an Oklahoma connection, the Oklahoma Historical Society then set forth a final list of nominations to the Official Oklahoma Rock Song Advisory Panel. With members appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Pro Tempore, the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Oklahoma Film & Music Office, the Official Oklahoma Rock Song Advisory Panel included Phil Bacharach, Oklahoma City; Ronnie Kaye, Oklahoma City; Lacey Lett, Oklahoma City; Steve Ripley, Tulsa/Pawnee; Ryan LaCroix, Norman; Dr. Hugh Foley, Stillwater; and Angie Devore-Green, Tulsa.
The Advisory Panel met at the Oklahoma History Center in August of 2008 and narrowed the expansive list of nominated songs down to the ten finalists. They chose songs that represented the different decades of rock and roll in Oklahoma and the wide range of influence Oklahomans have had on the genre. Spanning six decades, the chosen songs represent the pervasive influence of Oklahoma and Oklahomans on the continuous development of the rock and roll genre. The finalists were “Let’s Have a Party” by Wanda Jackson (1958); “Do You Realize??” by the Flaming Lips (2002); “Walk Don’t Run” by The Ventures (1960); “Endless Oklahoma Sky” by John Moreland and the Black Gold Band (2008); “Home Sweet Oklahoma” by Leon Russell (1971); “Move Along” by the All-American Rejects (2005); “Never Been to Spain” written by Hoyt Axton (1971); “Oklahoma” by The Call (1986); “Heartbreak Hotel” written by Mae Boren Axton (1956); and “After Midnight” by J.J. Cale (1965).
These ten finalists are representative of the pervasive influence of Oklahoma and Oklahomans on the development of rock and roll. The songs are written or performed by Oklahomans and show the massive contributions of Oklahomans to the development of rock and roll in the twentieth and into the twenty-first century.
After being announced in a press conference on September 2, 2008, the ten songs were put to a public vote on the website oklahomarocksong.org. Before the polls closed November 15, 2008, 21,061 votes were cast, 10, 738 (or 51%) of which went to the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” from their album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Voters submitted many reasons for their selection of the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” for the Official Oklahoma Rock Song. With visible pride in their Oklahoma roots, innovative and modern artistry, and a long-standing commitment to rock and roll, the Flaming Lips enjoy a deep connection with the citizens of their native state. Voters submitted a variety of reasons for their selection of “Do You Realize??” for the Official Oklahoma Rock Song.
“Not only are the Flaming Lips from Oklahoma, but the song ‘Do You Realize??’ also makes for an excellent state song. The song is universal and very unifying, with a great message,” remarked one fan.
Another stated “The beauty in the message of ‘Do You Realize??’ perfectly suits the beautiful state of Oklahoma.”
Yet another wrote “‘Do You Realize??’ is one of the greatest songs ever written and The Flaming Lips are a fine example of the brilliance that the state of Oklahoma has produced. The song and the band are timeless. The sentiments expressed in ‘Do You Realize??’ are universal and would project Oklahoma in a positive and endearing light.”
The selection of the Official Oklahoma Rock Song is part of a greater effort of the Oklahoma Historical Society to celebrate the state’s rock and roll heritage with an exhibit entitled “Another Hot Oklahoma Night,” slated to open May 2, 2009 at the Oklahoma History Center.
The History Center is actively collecting stories and artifacts related to rock and roll in Oklahoma. For more information, please contact the museum staff at (405) 522-0798 or visit the exhibit website at anotherhotoklahomanight.org.