Oklahoma is looking for an official rock-n-roll song, a state rock tune. By commission of the Oklahoma Historical Society, lawmakers today approved a proposal that calls for the society to take nominations and then put the songs up to a vote of the people.

There will be a process by which an approved panel would narrow the list down to 10 finalists. We the people would vote on it from Sept. 1 through Nov. 15, and it would then be put forth to the Legislature in 2009.

The official Oklahoma rock song.

What shall it be? A lot of the hip, alternative crowd would point to the Flaming Lips, and to that, I say a hearty "right on," but for me, they're just not popular enough. Not mainstream enough. Not even rock enough.

I absolutely think the state rock song of Oklahoma should be a tune recognizable by at least 60 percent of the populus. However, upon initial research, I could not really find much in the way of a tie between Oklahoma and rock-n-roll.

Not an obvious one. Our ties are with country music, mostly, although I suppose we could nominate Chris Gaines, the rock alter ego to Garth Brooks. I kid. I still say that was the best album Garth ever did.

However, there is a duo whose ties to both Oklahoma and to the roots of rock-n-roll are so pure that I think immediately to them when I think of rock-n-roll's history in the Sooner State.

That's right. I think of Hoyt Axton and his momma, Mae Boren Axton. And while I'm sure the OHS will get plenty of terrific nominations, I already have my three -- all with a tie to the Axton family tree and, therefore, to Oklahoma.

No. 3: "Joy To The World" -- Three Dog Night

Penned by Hoyt Axton, this has the temperment of a song I think most Oklahomans could get behind. It's happy. It's fun. It's definitely rock, and Oklahomans have been singing this at karaoke bars for the past 20 years.

No. 2: "Heartbreak Hotel" -- Elvis

Written by Hoyt's mother, this tune skyrocketed Elvis Presley to fame. I'm not sure the downer sentiment will fly with voters, the whole bluesy heartbreak vibe, but there is a major historical tie between Oklahoma and this song.

No. 1: "Never Been To Spain" -- Three Dog Night

First, this is technically a country song. However, Three Dog Night is a classic rock band, with a bit of West Coast country before the Eagles made that sound come alive.

However, read along with the words. I can only choose to interpret what Hoyt might have meant when he wrote, Well, I never been to heaven ... but I been to Oklahoma, and it's one of my favorite lyrics in all of music.

If it were totally up to me, this would be the official Oklahoma rock song:

Now, there is no rule that the rock song has to have anything to do with Oklahoma or have any tie to the state, but my hunch is that the historical society would prefer if the song had some element about it related to our state.

With that said, is there somebody obvious I'm missing? Besides Hanson and All-American Rejects? On a more serious note, how about Leon Russell or Elvin Bishop?

I could vote for Tight Rope ...