A Day in the Life

July 14-20, 2014

Oklahoma: ‘Do You Realize?’

By Becca Bona

becca@dailydata.com

I’ve never been to Oklahoma even though it borders Arkansas, the state I’ve lived in my whole life. That being said, I think it’s alright for me to both criticize and congratulate the land where the wind is sweeping down the plains … in my favorite walk of life: music.

Let’s start with some of the facts. In 2009, over 21,000 Oklahomans voted in a ten-song survey in order to elect one as the official state rock song. The Flaming Lips, a band formed in the early 80s in Norman, Oklahoma, came to the top of the list with their song, “Do You Realize” from the album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.

Although the state Senate unanimously approved the choice, the House of Representatives couldn’t seem to agree due to complaints of lyrical offenses in other Flaming Lips’ songs.

It’s always something – if not one campaign ad, then definitely offensive lyrics.

Nevertheless, then Oklahoma Gov. Brady Henry proceeded to sign an executive order naming the song as the official state rock song.

Now that is congratulatory. Who knew a state could have an official rock song? I vote that this is one bandwagon Arkansas needs to get on – look for my suggestions below.

Once I discovered this about “Do You Realize,” I decided I would refresh my trivia knowledge on a band that I had never really noticed before.

The Flaming Lips begins with Wayne Coyne, lead guitarist, Mark Coyne, initial lead vocalist and Michael Ivins, on bass in their early days – as they searched for a drummer in 1983. By 1990 the psychedelic, sci-fi driven sound-collage of a group had caught the attention of Warner Bros, which they subsequently signed with. Up until that point they released music on an indie label known as Restless.

Wayne would become lead vocalist after his brother departed in the early 80s, and he would also assume a higher vocal range akin to Neil Young in the band’s later work.

In 1997 the band, (after going through a few changes in the musician line-up) would release Zaireeka, a four-disc album meant to be enjoyed by playing all four CDs simultaneously in different players. The idea aims to make music a communal listening experience. Unfortunately I have yet to find enough CD players to try it out myself, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do.

I am more caught up with the album Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, and not just because Oklahoma picked up the song “Do You Realize” as its official state rock song. Another song I have a special place for in my heart, “Fight Test,” also caused a stir. While being more popular in the UK than the US (as was much of The Flaming Lips’ music) there was a plagiarism controversy regarding the song and Cat Stevens’, or rather Yusuf Islam’s 1970 “Father and Son.”

Islam is now receiving royalties following a settlement that seemed amiable enough. Front man Coyne himself went on record apologizing for the whole thing.

Unfortunately for The Flaming Lips, their song was dethroned from the stately position when Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin took office in 2013. A statement from her office claimed a lack of time was the reason for failing to renew the executive order behind the song.

Here’s where I have to give Oklahoma a downward thumb, because honestly, what’s cooler than having a state ‘rock’ song? Nobody in Oklahoma wants to hear, “Oklahoma where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plains…” one more time, now do they?

As for Arkansas, I say we start out with – you guessed it – The Rolling Stones as the contributors of our official state rock song. There’s no way to go wrong with that one.

First of all, Keith Richards loved Arkansas so much he got himself thrown in jail in Fordyce in the 70s, so there’s that lovely gem of a connection.

Plus, with all this mudslinging that accompanies any political race, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” speaks to all parties, in my humble opinion.