05/26/2026
🎵 “K-O-C-E-N” 🎵
(Sung to the tune of Lola by the Kinks)
I met him at a council meet in OP
Where developers drink and the planners all speak
He walked up to the microphone stand
With a zoning map and a folder in hand
Well he talked about roads all night long
Yeah the chip seal gravel was all wrong
He said, “Listen here, this city’s gone astray…”
And then he spoke for twenty minutes straight
He said:
“K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
Apartments and zoning laws for Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen”
Well I’m not the world’s most civic guy
But when Jeff starts talkin’, people stop by
He talks about ethics every week
And transparency in city policy
Well he drinks black coffee and he reads reports
Complains mixed-use is too New York
He said, “Everybody wants more density…”
“But not right here in OP!”
Singin’:
“K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
Keep the suburbs safe for Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen”
Now when the summer heat gets high
Jeff heads to the pool in July
He walks around with a grumpy stare
Complaining kids run everywhere
The splashing noise is way too loud
Too much chaos in the crowd
He mutters, “Pools were calmer back in my day…”
Then files complaints and walks away
They say:
“K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
No fun at the pool for Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen”
Well the kids all groan when Jeff arrives
With sunscreen thick and disapproving eyes
He’s shaking heads by the diving board
Complaining cannonballs should be banned
And though he never got the throne
He still patrols the shallow zone
Some call him the grumbler of the pool
But Jeff keeps acting extra cool
Singin’:
“K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
Poolside complainer, that is Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen”
Well now I know what suburban passion means
It’s PowerPoints and council livestreams
And every Monday twice a month
Jeff arrives prepared for battle once again
Well he may not ever be a rock star man
But everybody knows him in Johnson County land
And when the pool and council both need friends—
You know they’re gonna call on Jeff again
Singin’:
“K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen
Overland Park belongs to Kocen
K-O-C-E-N, Kocen!”
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