OT: New Okla. State Song by Flaming Lips; Controversy

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Go Wayne!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090425/ap_ ... _rock_song

Okla. governor intervenes in Flaming Lips flap
AP

Sat Apr 25, 6:40 am ET

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma lawmakers who voted against making a Flaming Lips tune the official state rock song represent a minority of "small-minded religious wackos," the band's lead singer says.

Most state House members voted for a resolution recognizing 2002's "Do You Realize??," but conservatives who said they were offended by the band's clothing and language mustered enough votes to keep it from being adopted.

"Me, I just say look, it's a little minority of some small-minded religious wackos who think they can tell people what kind of T-shirts and what kind of music they can listen to, and the smart, rational, reasonable people of Oklahoma are never going to buy into that," frontman Wayne Coyne told Tulsa World in an interview Friday.

Gov. Brad Henry resolved the issue by announcing he would sign an executive order proclaiming "Do You Realize??" the official rock song of Oklahoma. The song earned more than half of the 21,000 votes cast in an online contest.

The Grammy-winning group, formed in Norman in 1983, is known for its psychedelic rock and lyrics.

Rep. Corey Holland, R-Marlow, was offended when band member Michael Ivins wore a red T-shirt with a yellow hammer-and-sickle emblem, a traditional symbol of the Communist Party, during a visit to the Capitol last month.

"The great thing about this country is he has the right to make whatever statement he wants to make," Holland said. "I have the right to be offended by that."

The shirt was a Christmas present to Ivins from Coyne's wife, and he wore it to a rehearsal earlier that day, said Coyne, who was offended by Holland's implication that the band is un-American.

Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, also denounced Coyne for using an expletive at an event.

Despite the criticism, Coyne said he always expected state residents to stand up for their native sons.

"People would have a reason to really fight for us and say, `No, this isn't what Oklahoma is all about,'" Coyne said. "And I think the governor is very cool, how he's come to our rescue."

[smudge]

I'm going to have to re-read that tomorrow, because I'm not sure I believe it right now.

I believe that stuff about a representative being unhappy (although he nailed the definition of freedom of expression in an admirably concise manner), but the fact that a state legislature makes a decision about their official state rock song, and the Gov signs off on it.

I'm pretty confident that Sutton Borough Council wouldn't entertain such a notion, and even if they did, they'd choose something crap.

[DirtyMartini]

I commented this elsewhere, but honestly I'm so confused by a. we have state songs? In particular, official state rock songs? and b. OK, the Flaming Lips are from OK, but how does "Do You Realize??" represent any state? And how Oklahoma in particular? that I can't even get to c. the content of the article.

[smudge]

I've had a think about this. I'm going to exploit the fawning, populist tendencies of english local government, with the objective of getting 'Feel Good Hit of the Summer' adopted as 'Town Song' somewhere in Surrey. I very much doubt they'll listen to the words until it is too late....

[GinaSuperCat]

I'm just gonna roll with the state rock song thing (it gives me a little hope), but as for why that song I think it may be pretty simple: it's one of their most popular, it's relatively straightforward as a standalone song, it doesn't travel to the farther reaches of psychedelia, outer space, or fighting the 'fanatical f***s, which makes it relatively divested of controversy, to boot.

The Lips have not only been one of the hugest things out of OK, but they have done a relative pant-load for Norman and for OK in general...so it goes beyond (but includes, certainly) just laying claim to being the home of the Lips, they really have done an awful lot locally...

[DirtyMartini]

[quote="GinaSuperCat"]as for why that song I think it may be pretty simple: it's one of their most popular, it's relatively straightforward as a standalone song, it doesn't travel to the farther reaches of psychedelia, outer space, or fighting the 'fanatical f***s, which makes it relatively divested of controversy, to boot.

The Lips have not only been one of the hugest things out of OK, but they have done a relative pant-load for Norman and for OK in general...so it goes beyond (but includes, certainly) just laying claim to being the home of the Lips, they really have done an awful lot locally...[/quote]

Yup, that I fully acknowledge, and add a Rock On. I think you're right about the reasoning, though, in particular the comparative merit: "Do you realize that everyone you know someday will die" is certainly more appropriate than "those evil-natured robots, they're programmed to destroy us."

[GinaSuperCat]

unintentionally/accidentally subversive works for me <grin>

[smudge]

[quote="DirtyMartini"][quote="GinaSuperCat"]as for why that song I think it may be pretty simple: it's one of their most popular, it's relatively straightforward as a standalone song, it doesn't travel to the farther reaches of psychedelia, outer space, or fighting the 'fanatical f***s, which makes it relatively divested of controversy, to boot.

The Lips have not only been one of the hugest things out of OK, but they have done a relative pant-load for Norman and for OK in general...so it goes beyond (but includes, certainly) just laying claim to being the home of the Lips, they really have done an awful lot locally...[/quote]

Yup, that I fully acknowledge, and add a Rock On. I think you're right about the reasoning, though, in particular the comparative merit: "Do you realize that everyone you know someday will die" is certainly more appropriate than "those evil-natured robots, they're programmed to destroy us."[/quote]

I apologise if my flippant post seemed to denigrate the excellence of either the song or the state. I agree that 'evil-natured robots' would be a harder sell.

I associate it (Do You Realise) with Wiltshire. Specifically heading over a crest in the road, on the way to Glasto, with Stonehenge popping into view just as a car full of us managed the key change at joyful high volume.

Good choice OK.

[DirtyMartini]

[quote="GinaSuperCat"]unintentionally/accidentally subversive works for me <grin>[/quote]

Haha. It's got my vote.

[GinaSuperCat]

[/quote] I associate it (Do You Realise) with Wiltshire. Specifically heading over a crest in the road, on the way to Glasto, with Stonehenge popping into view just as a car full of us managed the key change at joyful high volume. [/quote]

If you ever feel the need to recreate that scene, gimme a ring!! Any other year but this one <grin>

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Heh. Was just listening to "Punk Rockers Taking Acid" and remembering a particularly splendid rendition of 'Jesus Shootin' Heroin' circa 1987....That song pretty much used to be the centerpiece of their entire set.

Personally, I'd vote for 'Unconsciously Screamin'' if only for the jury-rigged set of Christmas lights they used to use behind it....(Poor Gina's already heard this story 50 times)

[SambucaSubaru]

I think the notion of a "state rock song" is kinda dumb -- almost anything they choose is going to look dated in five years, much less fifty years! And if I read the story right, the state is pretty much just colluding with a promotion run by some radio station.

If they want to honor local boys made good, that's fine. Declare "Flaming Lips Day" and give them the key to the city. Or something.

But then there's this line, which seems to be the heart of the controversy:

>>Rep. Corey Holland, R-Marlow, was offended when band member Michael Ivins wore a red T-shirt with a yellow hammer-and-sickle emblem, a traditional symbol of the Communist Party, during a visit to the Capitol last month.<<

That *is* pretty offensive! Why would the state honor people who are so obtuse they don't get the offense? By way of comparison, I doubt people would be equally sanguine about Ivins showing up in a swastika T-shirt, or a Klan T-shirt.


S.S.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Have we seen said t-shirt? For all we know it's got George Bush holding it or something...

Hey, I'm just sayin'. I live in an area where conservative lawmakers are always trying to demonize one artist or another to kowtow to fundie voters and supporters.