Tag: Oklahoma

Why Did God Make Oklahoma?

blake shelton oklahoma

On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union. Oklahoma has more than its fair share of songs about the state, and one of the great songs about Oklahoma is “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma.”

Writing and First Success

Larry Collins and Sandy Pinkard wrote the song, which was recorded by David Frizzell (brother of Lefty) and Shelly West (daughter of Dottie) and released in 1981. Surprisingly, after the song was recorded, every major label declined the song.

But fortunately, Clint Eastwood heard “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” and recognized it for the new classic it was. He added the song to the soundtrack of his movie Any Which Way You Can, and the song became a hit.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton Version

In 2005, CMT put together a 100 Greatest Duets Concert, and the show teamed up Miranda Lambert with Oklahoman Blake Shelton on the song. The two singers first met at the concert.

You can see Shelton falling in love as they sing on stage in the video above. The two soon began dating, and they married in 2011. Lambert, who was born in Texas, moved to Oklahoma with Shelton.  But the two divorced in 2015, and Lambert bought property in Tennessee.

“Rocky Top” Controversy

The song, however, was not without a controversy. Songwriters Felice and Boudleaux Bryant sued the “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” songwriters, claiming the song sounded a lot like the Bryants’ classic song about Tennessee, “Rocky Top.” The Bryants’ won the lawsuit.

Here is “Rocky Top” performed by the Osborne Brothers, who first released the song in 1967. Can you hear any similarities to “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma?”

And that is the story of how a song about Oklahoma caused a legal battle, brought together country royalty (for a time), and connects to another great state song.

Screengrab via YouTube. Do you think “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” is similar to “Rocky Top”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Oklahoma: Brand New State — Gonna Treat You Great!

    Oklahoma movie On November 16 in 1907, Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory joined the United States.  The area became the country’s 46th state of Oklahoma, a state that appears often in popular culture.

    Much of Oklahoma’s pre-state history includes significant events that have been portrayed on film. Such incidents include the arrival of Native Americans forcibly moved to the territory along the Trail of Tears and the big land rush with its early arrivals that provide the name of the University of Oklahoma football team, the Sooners.

    The Oklahoma Land Rush & Far and Away

    Regarding the 1889 land rush, one sees it famously portrayed in movies such as Cimarron (1931) and Far and Away (1992). Check out the scene from Far and Away below.

    Oklahoma!

    While there are plenty of songs relating to the United States becoming a country, one is challenged to think of a memorable song about a territory becoming a state, with one exception. Oklahoma not only has an entire musical set in its final days as a territory, the play and movie versions end with a salute to the territory’s impending statehood.

    Even if you are not a fan of musicals, you probably know and can sing along with the song “Oklahoma!” from the Broadway play and movie Oklahoma! The play was the first musical written by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It is more than OK.

    The classic movie Oklahoma! (1955) starred Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. A 1999 version of the musical starred Hugh Jackman and Josefina Gabrielle. You may compare the 1999 version of the same scene as above.

    Finally, the 1955 movie has the honor of featuring a rare song about a territory becoming a state, but it is also a rare movie musical that itself is mentioned in a popular song. The 1971 album Muswell Hillbillies by The Kinks features the song “Oklahoma USA,” written by Ray Davies. In the song, a young woman reflects on her boring working-class life: “But in her dreams she is far away/ In Oklahoma U.S.A./ With Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae.”

    In honor of the anniversary of Oklahoma’s statehood, we hope that at least for a day you can escape work and can get out in the open and breathe some fresh air. And we hope you’re doing fine.

    What is your favorite movie or song about a state’s early days? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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