seymore1965, Tulsa (3/2/2009 3:28:33 PM)

Good state song... I think.

Travis, Tahlequah (3/2/2009 3:37:47 PM)

For those who care.

(.)you tube(.)com/watch?v=fk76rsV71S0&feature=related

Bullhead, Nicut (3/2/2009 3:38:15 PM)

I was hoping to hear that in the 2008 legislative session, the Legislature approved a plan for our state highways to be fixed and DHS to be re-worked or for more money to bring down meth labs.

Oh well.

God Bless our Troops, Small town (3/2/2009 3:39:32 PM)

There is really nothing more important than a "State Song"?

Have that, America (3/2/2009 3:42:18 PM)

Is there a state 'country' song??

because this group of songs is pretty much a very very weak representation of the music from this state...

jett rink, (3/2/2009 3:44:11 PM)

Great song...but what exactly does it have to do with Oklahoma other than inspiring hope "...that everyone you know someday will die", including the Okies who turn out to elect Republican morons to political office?

Frites and Mayo, Tulsa (3/2/2009 3:46:57 PM)

Catchy tune.

God Bless our Troops, Small town (3/2/2009 3:48:16 PM)

Wow just listened to the song, did 21,000 stoners wait in line to vote on this song? Seriously?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!

Tbone, (3/2/2009 4:03:50 PM)

Great pick! Gotta love these guys! When Oklahoma City was talking about naming a road after the band, they talked it over and settled on an alley instead.

Tulsa World Music Reporter Jen Chancellor, Tulsa (3/2/2009 4:10:53 PM)

CONGRATS, GUYS! The Flaming Lips is one of the most influential bands of my generation, this honor is deserved. :)

Also, check out video of the song on my Barrelhouse Beat Blog, tulsaworld DOT com SLASH barrelhousebeat

xo,
-- Jennifer Chancellor, Tulsa World Music Reporter

KBear, Glenpool (3/2/2009 4:12:05 PM)

You truly must be kidding! I agree that it must have been the stoners....but, in reality it was all the "text messaging" kids! There were such good choices which were good representation of Oklahoma --"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. How could they actually legislate such a joke as a state song? Nothing against the Flaming Lips. They are good musicians with a strong following, but not representative of Oklahoma. I guess we truly are a bunch of Okies to let the kids decide what represents Oklahoma.

Mr. Larry Still, (3/2/2009 4:18:57 PM)

It's an awesome choice. Flaming Lips are great Oklahoma musicians. I just wish they had nominated Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, because I know that it'd be tragic if those evil robots win!

Eric, Tulsa (3/2/2009 4:24:34 PM)

And for those old fogies like me who have barely heard of the Flaming Lips, let alone never even heard this song, how about a free download of this tune on iTunes to celebrate?
...
..
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Ayo, T-Town (3/2/2009 4:25:37 PM)

Stop dissing the Flaming Lips!! They've done a lot of positive things for this stupid, thankless state. These guys were popular enough to move on to more progressive states and more beautiful states, but kept their roots firmly planted.

I love Johnny Cale too, and he has written some great......really great songs. Leon Russle is probably one of the top songwriters of the 20th century. Both from Tulsa. Both have many, many songs recorded by other people.

But the Flaming Lips were one of the underground's or the earlier bands out of the more punk/alternative movement that began in the 70's, and they deserve more respect than you stupid old f arts are giving them.

How can they NOT represent Oklahoma? They are from OK, and they stayed!

This isn't about some mainstream, media-blitzed country singer. There is more to OK than some canned country.

Ayo, T-Town (3/2/2009 4:27:28 PM)

Gawd..........I'm loving this!!!!!

Now this is MY Oklahoma. Ha!! One up for us.

Tulsa World Music Reporter Jen Chancellor, Tulsa (3/2/2009 4:33:33 PM)

KBear,
Depending on when you grew up here, I'd say the Flaming Lips are absolutely representative of Oklahoma music.
Some background:
Their sound has dominated and greatly influenced the music scene, especially college radio play, since the 1980s. This IS the "next generation" following the Tulsa Sound legacy.
The band is a leaders in helping to establish the music industry in Oklahoma. Their manager, Scott Booker, now runs the new "School of Rock," ACM@UCO in Oklahoma City. Their legacy is one of peace and creativity and community. The Flaming Lips ARE Oklahoma.
The band has lived in Oklahoma its entire life, too. The lead singer has even helped to restore the run-down area of Oklahoma City where he and his family grew up.

Obviously, I love this band.

rghton, (3/2/2009 4:36:46 PM)

God Bless Our Troops - I think they were waiting for Dan Sullivan's gender-abortion nonsense legislation to get through before the tackled this one.

Righton - let's hear it for the druggies and stoners! Like the Flaming Lips, Leon Russell, Waylon and Willie, Hank Williams I, II and III, Ray Stevens, Michael Phelps, Mozart, and Rush Limbaugh!!

A great choice - doesn't dwell in the past and its a hopeful, beautiful song.

Bubba, Bixby (3/2/2009 4:40:58 PM)

FINALLY! A State rock song!

BabaBooey, (3/2/2009 5:02:53 PM)

I'm not a fan so I listened to the song at the band's website. I must say, it's a bad choice for a state song. The vibe is akin to Pink Floyd's "The Wall"---way too stoner-trippy. For a state song, I'd expect something more uplifting, energetic, full of life. The song "do you realize" makes me want to yawn and fall asleep. Therefore, once again, Okies got it all wrong. Nothing against the band. It's just the wrong song man!

God Bless our Troops, Small town (3/2/2009 5:45:05 PM)

I really fail to see how a group that wrote a song about VASELILNE can be a great Oklahoman icon... Oh wait... I forgot, it is Oklahoma that we are talking about. We are the butt of the joke with everything else, why not for wasting legislation time on a song too!

I think a more fitting state song would be something like Dueling Banjos...

McTavish, tulsa (3/2/2009 5:49:39 PM)

Musically possibly the least deserving song on the list. I have been playing Rock and Roll in Oklahoma since it was invented. I don't know a single working musician who has any of their records; they are good amateur players at best. The song charted at #32 in England. It did not chart in the U.S. It's a safe bet that one in 10,000 Oklahomans has heard this song.
The legacy of Mae & Hoyt Axton, J.J. Cale and Leon Russell will long outlast this pedestrian stoner band. Would The Rolling Stones sing about Pink Robots? How precious! Oh well, every county went for McCain. Go figure.

ADD, (3/2/2009 5:55:27 PM)

They're joking, right? After listening to this song on Youtube, I'm of the opinion that this group couldn't make it past Round One of American Idol. They're talentless - the poor lead singer couldn't stay on key if his life depended on it. None of the other songs in contention for this title are on my favorites list, but at least they did have some artistic merit.

Norm, (3/2/2009 5:55:49 PM)

Once again - good to see the legislature all over the pressing issues of the day.

Oklahoma was in danger of losing jobs to other states that had already selected their official rock songs.

I guess they ran out of time to vote on the state's official "turn-on's", and "favorite color"

Lawrence, Tulsa (3/2/2009 6:04:09 PM)

puke, puke, puke. I think I'm gonna throw up. The absolute worst of the choices.

Just sayin'

rghton, (3/2/2009 6:30:58 PM)

McTavish - you watch, these guys will be up next to Leon Russell and JJ Cale. Their reputation will be long lasting. And unlike Hoyt Axton and Leon, they made their career IN Oklahoma (nothing against Hoyt or Leon). They never left (except for some world tours). And I know many, many working musicians all over the country that have many Flaming Lips records. Check out Chris Martin (of Coldplay - many Grammies) on 60 minutes - he was wearing a Flaming Lips T-shirt. And the Rolling Stones would sing about Pink Robots if they thought they could make money off it.
ADD - you can keep your American Idol schlock, this has nothing to do with who does the best rendition of a cover song on the TV. This is about creating new music.
By the way, I love Leon Russell and JJ Cale.