Matthew Kiel April 27th, 2009 - 2:05 PM
After Yoshimi standout “Do You Realize??” was voted Oklahoma’s official rock and roll song, attempts were made to overturn the song’s landslide victory. These were resolved by Oklahoma governor Brad Henry releasing the following statement:
Office of Governor Brad Henry
State of Oklahoma
State Capitol – Oklahoma
City OK 73105
405-521-2342
Gov Henry Overrides House, Honors People’s Choice of Lips Oklahoma City — Gov. Brad Henry will sign an executive order Tuesday, April 28th, naming the Flaming Lips song, “Do You Realize??,†as the official rock song of Oklahoma.
In a statewide Internet vote held late last year, that song was the choice of 51 percent of more than 21,000 votes cast. Senate Joint Resolution 24 sought to codify that vote, but was narrowly defeated.
For more than 20 years, Oklahoma’s own Flaming Lips have produced creative, fun and provocative rock music,†Gov. Henry said. “The music of the Flaming Lips has earned Grammys, glowing critical acclaim and fans all over the world. A truly iconic rock ‘n’ roll band, they are proud ambassadors of their home state. They were clearly the people’s choice, and I intend to honor that vote.
The signing of the executive order will be held at 2 p.m. April 28th at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
In response, The Flaming Lips issued their own statement:
“As many people around the world know, The Flaming Lips are proud to be from Oklahoma. We want everyone to understand that only a minority of the representatives voted against this law. The facts are that “Do You Realize??â€, won over 50% of the popular vote in the original poll, passed unanimously in the Senate, and won over a majority of the Representatives in the House (48 were for the law passing, 39 against  14 were absent from the vote  you need 51 to pass the law). Regardless of what the minority in the House of Representatives wish, the Flaming Lips remain proud ambassadors of the state. We are honored that the majority of the people who voted, hoped to have “Do You Realize??†be The Oklahoma State Rock Song. Perhaps there is still a way it can be.â€
