“Do You Realize” Now OK State Song

Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry is signing an executive order making the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize?”  the state’s rock song. The Oklahoma Senate had voted to do so but the House couldn’t muster the required number of votes needed for a majority after one House member objected to band member Michael Ivins’ wearing of a T-shirt with a hammer and sickle on a visit to the Oklahoma State Capitol in March and controversy ensued. Mr. Ivins said the band is not unAmerican and he had been at rehearsal earlier that day where he had worn the shirt. Oklahomans voted overwhelmingly to make the song their state rock song in an online poll. Read more here in an article from the Daily Oklahoman (warning: Audio) and here from the AP.

But don’t worry: “Oklahoma” is still OK’s official state song.