The Flaming Lips have had quite the year. They wrung in 2009 the right way with their second annual New Year’s Eve Freakout. They took the time to record a psychedelic cover of Madonna’s “Borderline” with Stardeath and White Dwarfs for a limited edition Record Store Day release. Wayne Coyne even decided to initiate a little beef with indie rock darlings Arcade Fire.

What must have been the highlight, however, is the announcement that “Do You Realize??” would be proclaimed the official rock song of Oklahoma.

Well, until the Oklahoma House of Representatives attempted to revoke that honor.

The process began in 2008 when several hundreds of nominees were announced for the title of official Oklahoma rock song. On August 4, 2008, the 10 finalists were revealed, including the All-American Rejects, Leon Russell and the Flaming Lips.

It was then opened up for a public vote, and the Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??” came out on top.

That’s when the trouble began.

The Lips rejoiced the win and merely waited for the proclamation to pass through Oklahoma Legislature. It went through the Senate without a hitch, but the House of Representatives were not about to let it pass so easily.

Apparently some of the members were a little offended by the Flaming Lips’ past antics. Rep. Corey Holland was offended by bassist Michael Ivin’s choice to don a red communist t-shirt when visiting the capital for the announcement ceremony in March.

Rep. Mike Reynolds had been disgusted with the language of the band heard during a ceremony dedicating Flaming Lips Alley in Bricktown to the band. He even stated “Their lips ought to be on fire.”

The House rejected the proposition. 51 votes were needed to pass the measure, and it only received 48.

Wayne Coyne sounded slightly defeated but hopeful on the matter in a bulletin posted on MySpace:

"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??' won over 50 percent 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."

That is when Gov. Brad Henry rode in like the white knight.

He decided to override the decision of the House of Representatives with an executive decision signed on April 28.

He believed the matter was a public vote and intended on honoring the public’s choice. Henry declared in a press release "For more than 20 years, Oklahoma’s own Flaming Lips have produced creative, fun and provocative rock music. The music of the Flaming Lips has earned Grammy’s, 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."

“Do You Realize??” is now in its rightful place as official rock song of Oklahoma, and I could not think of any song that represents the beauty, diversity and quirkiness Oklahoma has to offer.