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Supporters play ‘Roadrunner’ as testimony urges making the song Massachusetts’ official rock song
Summary
Representative Winski and Senate sponsor supporters asked the committee to report H.3383 favorably to designate “Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers as the Commonwealth’s official rock song; Representative Winski played a short excerpt for the committee.
Boston — Representative Winski told the committee H.3383 would designate “Roadrunner,” the Modern Lovers’ 1976 single, as the official rock song of the Commonwealth.
“This committee has reported this bill out favorably several times in the past, and I know that this will be the year that Roadrunner makes it to the governor's desk,” Winski said, describing the song’s Boston roots and cultural resonance. He argued the lyrics and the late‑night drive imagery “embody what it was like for my generation growing up in the Massachusetts of the 1970s and 1980s.”
Winski, who said he worked with former Boston mayor Marty Walsh and others on the initiative, asked the committee for permission to play a few seconds of the song; the chair granted that request and Winski counted off before playing an excerpt. A senator on the panel and other lawmakers noted prior bipartisan interest in the bill and expressed informal support.
Ending — The committee heard the lighthearted, culturally focused testimony; no vote or formal committee action was recorded during the hearing.
