The official state song of Oklahoma is “Oklahoma!” from the Rogers and Hammerstein play of the same name. It extols the virtues of the state’s agricultural industry and prairies. It reached number one on the Billboard charts in 1955 and is certified double platinum. Oklahoma has four other officially recognized state songs.
The official state song of Oklahoma is the theme song to the Rogers and Hammerstein play of the same name. With lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II and soundtrack composed by Richard Rogers, the song Oklahoma! was adopted as the official state song in 1953. Adapted from the play Green Grow the Lilacs, the Broadway musical production of Oklahoma! opened in 1943 and closed in 1948. While the musical production featured numerous songs portraying life in the Oklahoma Territory in the early 20th century, the theme song Oklahoma! it extolled the virtues of the state’s agricultural industry and the vast prairies. As such, Title 20, Sections 25 through 94.1 of the Oklahoma State Statutes, adopted 94.3 May 11, names the hit by Rogers and Hammerstein as the official state song of Oklahoma.
According to the state chapter 3, title 25 of the statutes, which name the official Oklahoma state song and its details, the lyrics and music of Oklahoma! they are both the official song and state anthem. Additional statutes, most notably Statute 25-94.2, mandate the state librarian to maintain official documentation and a recording of the song. A separate section of the statutes — specifically state statute 25-94.3 — provides an official line-by-line, verse-by-verse record of the lyrics for the Oklahoma state song.
Oklahoma! is one of the few officially recognized status songs to have enjoyed a position on the Billboard music charts. Released as a commercial recording in 1955, the soundtrack included Oklahoma! teased the release of a film adaptation of the Broadway musical. Billboard history shows that the song reached number one on the charts in September 1955. For four consecutive weeks, the Official State Song of Oklahoma held the top spot, followed by another 305 weeks further down the list. Certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, Oklahoma! he also enjoyed several Academy Awards in 1955.
Except Oklahoma! as Oklahoma’s officially recognized state song, four other songs enjoy official status in Oklahoma’s state statutes. Adopted in 1988, the song Faded Love is Oklahoma’s official country song. For younger residents, the state has adopted Oklahoma, My Native Land as its official children’s song. Folk song enthusiasts were rewarded in 2001 with the addition of Oklahoma Hills as an official folk song. The years 2009 and 2011 saw the introduction of Do you realize? and Swing Low, Sweet Chariot as the first rock and roll genre, and then as Oklahoma’s official state song of the gospel genre, respectively.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
