I live in Portland and love music. Here are some songs I like that mention the Rose City or the beautiful state of Oregon.

  1. Operator by Grateful Dead This is a Pigpen tune from the timeless American Beauty. The song’s character is riding a bus “out of Portland, talking to the night.”

  2. Portland, Oregon by Loretta Lynn and Jack White Strange combo, great song. Apparently Loretta Lynn’s family didn’t like this album so it is a bit hard to find, or at least it was.

  3. Cinnamon and Lesbians by Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks The lyrics to this song are pretty wild and the guitar is an ode to the Dead’s St. Stephen. Me likey.

  4. Oregon by Clutch This song rules. Grimey, sludgy, and weird. “It wasn’t weird enough, so I went west to Oregon.” Yes, sir!

  5. The Portland Water by Neal Casal The late Neal Casal wrote this quirky tune.

  6. Don’t Take Me Alive by Steely Dan Why the hell hasn’t Phish covered Steely Dan? That’s what I want to know. ‘Oregon’ isn’t pronounced right, but we’ll let it slide in this case.

  7. Oregon by Briston Maroney Catchy alt-rock. “Don’t let this town get ya down.”

  8. Portland by The Jauntee Another quirky tune, paying homage to Portland’s ever present rain and weirdness.