Trent Johnson

Taking Pride in Portland (3-8 of 8)

trentj — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:16:24 +0000

Okay, I’ve lost interest in writing a post for each track so here are the rest of them for your enjoyment, and I might as well post the previous two here for completeness. There’s a lot of awesome here so be careful.

1 – Taking Pride in Portland Lyrics

Taking pride in Portland
A special place to be
Building for tomorrow
Making history

Growing up together
Stronger every day
Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the way

Being part of something
Knowing what it means
Sharing in the future
Of the great American dream

Knowing where we’re going
Reaching for the sky
Caring for each other
Standing side by side

Now we’re taking pride in Portland
A special place to be
Building for tomorrow
Making history

Growing up together
Stronger every day
Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the way

Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the way

Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the way

2 – In the Beginning Lyrics

In the beginning we stood alone
Started with nothing but our faith was strong
Nights were short and the days were long
But we stayed together through it all

In the beginning we tried so hard
That’s what it took to come this far
(Their beliefs?) with good strong ties
Winter, spring, summer, fall.

In the beginning the magic was there
And today you can tell it ’cause we really care
In the beginning we did things right
And our love is flowing as our dreams take flight

In the beginning we were truly blessed
Today we stand among the very best
And if tomorrow brings another test
We’ll remember what to do

In the beginning the magic was there
And today you can tell it ’cause we really care
In the beginning we did things right
And our love is flowing as our dreams take flight

What? This guy isn’t on the album. Why isn’t this a picture of Mike Donahue? He’s the only bona fide Portland celebrity that actually participated in the recording of this album as far as I can tell. Aw well, let’s listen to a couple of the tracks.

3 – This Town Lyrics

We’ve built a town we can be proud of
Neighbor helping neighbor in the spirit of love
It hasn’t been easy. The road’s been long and hard (That’s what she said)
We stayed together and nothing will pull us apart

This town is what we made it
Where we set our sights this town was bound to take us
Shooting for the stars has brought us so far
This town is what we made it

We call this town our home
And there’s no better place to be
We’re proud to be part
of this growing family

Our future’s looking brighter
With the flame of hope ablaze
I can’t wait ’till tomorrow
We’re getting better every day!

This town is what we made it
Where we set our sights this town was bound to take us
Shooting for the stars has brought us so far
This town is what we made it

This town is what we made it
Oh, this town is what we made it

4 – We’ve Got a Dream Lyrics

We’ve got a dream
We’ve got a plan
We’re calling on everyone
Lend us a hand

The future is now
Love is our thing
Come with us
We’ve got a dream

Caring and sharing along the way
Helping each other grow stronger every day

We’ve got that feeling the sprit’s alive
Can’t help believing our hearts are open wide

We’ve got a dream
We’ve got a plan
We’re calling on everyone
Lend us a hand

The future is now
Love is our thing
Come with us
We’ve got a dream

Come with us
Grow with us
Dream with us

We’ve got a dream
Ooh ooh ooh oooooh!
Ooh ooh ooh oooooh!

5 – Celebrate Portland Lyrics

Celebrate today
Come on Portland, celebrate
Throw your troubles away
the future’s bright and we’re here to stay

Celebrate today
A-come along and celebrate

Lots of music to play
songs to sing and we’re on our way

We always knew
We would find what where looking for
Now opportunity
Is knocking at our door

Come on
Join in
Reach out
And make a friend

Portland
We’re growing now
Can’t wait
To show you how

Celebrate today
Come on Portland, celebrate
Throw your troubles away
The future’s bright and we’re here to stay

Celebrate today
Have some fun and celebrate
Lots of music to play
Songs to sing and we’re on our way

Celebrate, celebrate
Join the party and celebrate

Celebrate, celebrate
Come on Portland celebrate

Celebrate today
Come on Portland celebrate

Lots of music to play
Songs to sing and we’re on our way

Okay, seriously where’s Mike Donahue? I know the guys pictured here are prominent Portland businessmen but why should they get a photo? They certainly don’t sing and though I’m willing to bet that Bob Lanphere plays a mean harmonica there isn’t any of that kind of souful goodness on this LP. They must have paid for the privilege. If that’s the case then they certainly got their money’s worth just for this next song alone.

6 – Love Your Lady Lyrics

Love your lady
She’s your town
Treat her right
And don’t let her down

Stand beside her through thick and thin
And just let her know she can trust you like a friend

Love your lady
And let her know
Bring us some sunshine
And help her grow

Always be patient and try to be kind
When she lays her feelings out there on the line

Sometimes we stroll hand in hand
Sometimes we know that we can’t get along
But in the end we remain true friends
Through it all

Love your lady
Give her your best
Always be faithful
Don’t ever forget

She’s something special so way beyond compare
One day you’ll wake up and be glad she’s still there

Love your lady
She’s your town
Just treat her right
Don’t ever let her down

Love your lady
She’s your town
Treat her right
Don’t ever let her down

Love your lady
She’s your town
Treat her right
Don’t ever let her down

7 – This City’s Moving Lyrics

This city’s moving
Right up to the top
This city’s moving
The heartbeat never stops

We’re looking good today
And tomorrow’s on it’s way
This city’s moving

This city’s moving
It’s your home and mine
This city’s moving
Oh, we can make it shine

We only want the best
We’ll take nothing less
This city’s moving

Take’s a lot of prayer (bread) to keep a dream alive
It’s up to me and you to make that dream come true
This city’s moving

Turning like a wheel
This city’s moving
Know how good it feels
There’s magic in the air
We can feel it everywhere
This city’s moving
Oh!

It takes a lot of prayer (bread) to keep a dream alive
It’s up to me and you to make that dream come true
This city’s moving

Dancing in the street
This city’s moving
You can feel the beat
There’s magic in the air
We can feel it everywhere
This city’s moving
Oh this city’s moving

Right up to the top
This city’s moving
The heartbeat never stops
We’re looking good today
And tomorrow’s on it’s way
This city’s moving

8 – We’ll Be There Tomorrow Lyrics

We’ll be here tomorrow you can count on us
We’ll be here forever
We’ll be here cause we believe in what we got
We’ll be here together
Making it better

Open your eyes and look
Look at what’s happening here
Don’t be surpised if you
See your dream appear

Stop take a look around you’ll see
Just how far we’ve come
You’ve got the future here
You need to stay

We’ll be here tomorrow you can count on us
We’ll be here forever
We’ll be here cause we believe in what we got
We’ll be here together
Making it better

Stop take a look around you’ll see
Just how far we’ve come
You’ve got the future here
You need to stay

We’ll be here tomorrow you can count on us
We’ll be here forever
We’ll be here cause we believe in what we got
We’ll be here together
Making it better

I really hope you read this far down because like a (good) M. Night Shyamalan movie I’m about to drop a butt-clenching twist on you. This record was not recorded or produced in Portland. WHAT? I thought we were taking pride here, and isn’t the local music scene something to be proud of, even in 1990? I’m sure Quarterflash would have contributed a song, or maybe even Paul Revere and the Raiders would have been available. (By the way, I’m convinced that Kurt Cobain heard this record and became so enraged that he invented grunge.)

Yes, this was recorded for some get-up called Impact Broadcast Marketing, Inc. located in Nashville, Tennessee. Nowhere on this album does it say anything about being written or recorded in our happy town. What a rip-off. But wait, there’s more!

I got to thinking about how generic these track are and with the exception of “Taking Pride in Portland” and “Celebrate Portland” there is actually no specific mention of Portland most of the songs. You could just as easily call this Taking Pride in Salem / The ‘Couv / Topeka. Huh, Topeka has a nice ring to it. I’d buy that album.

Holy shit! It exists (and tell me that these reflections aren’t fake too.) Wouldn’t it be something if the songs were the same as the ones on our beloved Portland version? But that would mean they would have to change “Portland” to “Topeka” in the title track. Oh, snap. No they di-int! Yes, they did.

Bonus 1 – Taking Pride in Topeka

Bonus 2 – Celebrate Topeka

When I set out upon this journey to document this amazing record I did not realize that I would discover another version for a different town. The internet is truly wonderful. The Topeka image and tracks are courtesy of The M P M.

And one final link. If you want to purchase your own copy of “Taking Pride in Portland,” this guy is selling one for only $52.79. Good luck with that.

Taking Pride in Portland (2 of 8)

trentj — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:21:24 +0000

Surprise! I didn’t tell you in the first post that this record is narrated by the one and only Mike Donahue of KOIN-TV channel 6. He gives us some history about our great city of Portland before each track, and you know he does a fine job of it so I won’t even make fun of him. He’s awesome.

(I’m pretty sure those light reflections in the water are fake, BTW)

At the start of this track he shares some interesting history about our happy little town, going back to the beginning you might say. Oh, what do you know – that’s the name of the track! As usual, the lyrics are an endless stream of cliche about magic, our future, flowing love and staying together which makes it perfect for that slow dance with your special someone.

Track 2 of 8

In the Beginning

In the beginning we stood alone
Started with nothing but our faith was strong
Nights were short and the days were long
But we stayed together through it all

In the beginning we tried so hard
That’s what it took to come this far
(Their beliefs?) with good strong ties
Winter, spring, summer, fall.

In the beginning the magic was there
And today you can tell it ’cause we really care
In the beginning we did things right
And our love is flowing as our dreams take flight

In the beginning we were truly blessed
Today we stand among the very best
And if tomorrow brings another test
We’ll remember what to do

In the beginning the magic was there
And today you can tell it ’cause we really care
In the beginning we did things right
And our love is flowing as our dreams take flight

Taking Pride in Portland (1 of 8)

trentj — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:36:16 +0000

Thursday I was able to leave work a couple of hours early for the holiday and decided to swing by the Goodwill Bins on my way home. This was once a couple-of-times a week routine for me, but the bins ain’t what it used to be so I stopped going. Anyway, I was on the hunt for records and picked up three, but the gem of the collection was a little gatefold LP called “Taking Pride in Portland” and I couldn’t pass it up. Judging by the cover and the 1990 copyright date, I suspected this disc held some cheesy 80s synth goodness. I didn’t listen to it until later that night and I was not disappointed.

This is the first track, and I’ll post them one at a time with the lyrics because I know this will build up some serious excitement in the Portland community. I don’t want to share them all at once because the amount of enthusiasm that oozes out of these tracks is sure to destroy the city that it strives to promote if not taken in moderation. Not to mention that this baby is chock full of horrible lyrical cliches. It’s pretty impressive how many seemingly motivational yet empty strings of words they managed to cram into each track. I bow in admiration.

So, here’s track 1 of 8. Enjoy!

Taking Pride in Portland

Taking pride in Portland
A special place to be
Building for tomorrow
Making history

Growing up together
Stronger every day
Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the way

Being part of something
Knowing what it means
Sharing in the future
Of the great American dream

Knowing where we’re going
Reaching for the sky
Caring for each other
Standing side by side

Now we’re taking pride in Portland
A special place to be
Building for tomorrow
Making history

Growing up together
Stronger every day
Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the way

Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the way

Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the way

It’s So Bad It’s Good.

trentj — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:25:33 +0000

Today from 4-5pm I’ll be a guest DJ on the Satan vs. Sunshine radio show on W+K radio. For this special occasion I’ve chosen to dig through my dusty record collection and pull out some of my favorite “so bad it’s good” albums to share. Part of the fun with these LPs is not only the music, but the album art. When I’m digging through heaps of junk at the Goodwill bins looking for some new tunes, it’s always the cover that catches my eye first and makes me snatch it up, cross my fingers and hope the music is so bad it’s good!

Below are the album covers for the songs that I’ll be spinnin’ today. Be sure to examine them in detail because the visuals add so much more to the listening experience.

Several of these are actually quite well known and you can find them posted elsewhere on the web, but there are a few gems in my collection that I haven’t seen referenced anywhere else on the web. After the show I’ll post some mp3s for your listening pleasure.

Update: Show’s over, folks. Here are the tracks, plus a few extra.

Faith Walkers – They Can’t Take It Away

Belle Barth – Intro Song

Ferrante and Teicher – Man From Mars

Spaced Out Disco Fever – Theme from Star Trek

Bob’s Marriage Repair Kit – Repair that Affair

Rev. Francis Cram and Wanda – There’s Glory In My Soul

MCCSRA – Leaving Home – Darren Casteel and Matt Frigon

Freeway – My Way

The Click Kids – We’re Happy Christians

Burt Reynolds – You Can’t Always Sing a Happy Song

Switched-On Rock – Spinning Wheel

Faith Walkers – Beautiful Love Drops

Ronnie Prophet – Eleanor Rigby

Lena Zavaroni – Ma He’s Making Eyes at Me

The Click Kids – King Jesus

MCCSRA – ‘sgonnabetits – John Bumstead

Bob’s Marriage Repair Kit – Baby Marriage

Scotty Alexander – The Gambler

Rev. Francis Cram and Wanda – Put Your Hand in the Hand

The Click Kids – Gospel Train

Steno Booster – Saginaw, August 9, 1960

Bert and I

Listen to the Satan vs. Sunshine Radio Hour (4-5pm every Friday)

KLSR-TV Commercial

trentj — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:23:40 +0000

This one’s for you, Jen:

Our Oregon is in my heart
And I’m proud to be a part
Of the simple things that mean the most to me

Proud to be part of our community
Our Oregon’s FOX
KLSR-TV

I wish I could find a video of that commercial somewhere. Even more so I’d love to find the Pacific Power Kite Man commercial: “I like frogs.” Going back even further, I’d really love to see the South Park Mall commercial that I remember from Louisiana. “Yeeees you can! At South Park Mall!”

It’s amazing how some of those old TV ads can stick in your brain forever, for better or for worse.

Goodbye, LOST.

trentj — Mon, 31 May 2010 00:58:48 +0000

At some point (I don’t remember the details) I was fed up with LOST and said something like, “If I don’t get answers I’m going to burn this house down!” At the end of that particular season of LOST, Dedrick took it upon himself to construct a model of our house out of cardboard and we burned it that night. We did the same at the series finale of Battlestar Galactica. For the series finale of LOST we had the pleasure of burning a cardboard replica of the entire island. Goodbye, LOST. Watch it burn.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Well, here it is.

trentj — Sun, 30 May 2010 23:33:54 +0000

For a guy who does web development for a living, I’ve been horrible about developing my own web site. Finally I decided to just go for a blog, so I installed WordPress and downloaded a pre-built theme and off I go. It’ll probably take me a little while to post any kind of real content but I’ll get there eventually.