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 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 historyGrowing up together
Stronger every day
Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the wayBeing part of something
Knowing what it means
Sharing in the future
Of the great American dreamKnowing where we’re going
Reaching for the sky
Caring for each other
Standing side by sideNow we’re taking pride in Portland
A special place to be
Building for tomorrow
Making historyGrowing up together
Stronger every day
Taking pride in Portland
Believing all the wayTaking pride in Portland
Believing all the wayTaking 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 allIn 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 flightIn the beginning we were truly blessed
Today we stand among the very best
And if tomorrow brings another test
We’ll remember what to doIn 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 apartThis 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 itWe call this town our home
And there’s no better place to be
We’re proud to be part
of this growing familyOur 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 itThis 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 handThe future is now
Love is our thing
Come with us
We’ve got a dreamCaring and sharing along the way
Helping each other grow stronger every dayWe’ve got that feeling the sprit’s alive
Can’t help believing our hearts are open wideWe’ve got a dream
We’ve got a plan
We’re calling on everyone
Lend us a handThe future is now
Love is our thing
Come with us
We’ve got a dreamCome with us
Grow with us
Dream with usWe’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 stayCelebrate today
A-come along and celebrateLots of music to play
songs to sing and we’re on our wayWe always knew
We would find what where looking for
Now opportunity
Is knocking at our doorCome on
Join in
Reach out
And make a friendPortland
We’re growing now
Can’t wait
To show you howCelebrate today
Come on Portland, celebrate
Throw your troubles away
The future’s bright and we’re here to stayCelebrate today
Have some fun and celebrate
Lots of music to play
Songs to sing and we’re on our wayCelebrate, celebrate
Join the party and celebrateCelebrate, celebrate
Come on Portland celebrateCelebrate today
Come on Portland celebrateLots 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 downStand beside her through thick and thin
And just let her know she can trust you like a friendLove your lady
And let her know
Bring us some sunshine
And help her growAlways be patient and try to be kind
When she lays her feelings out there on the lineSometimes we stroll hand in hand
Sometimes we know that we can’t get along
But in the end we remain true friends
Through it allLove your lady
Give her your best
Always be faithful
Don’t ever forgetShe’s something special so way beyond compare
One day you’ll wake up and be glad she’s still thereLove your lady
She’s your town
Just treat her right
Don’t ever let her downLove your lady
She’s your town
Treat her right
Don’t ever let her downLove 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 stopsWe’re looking good today
And tomorrow’s on it’s way
This city’s movingThis city’s moving
It’s your home and mine
This city’s moving
Oh, we can make it shineWe only want the best
We’ll take nothing less
This city’s movingTake’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 movingTurning 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 movingDancing 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 movingRight 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 Here 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 betterOpen your eyes and look
Look at what’s happening here
Don’t be surpised if you
See your dream appearStop take a look around you’ll see
Just how far we’ve come
You’ve got the future here
You need to stayWe’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 betterStop take a look around you’ll see
Just how far we’ve come
You’ve got the future here
You need to stayWe’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.
I can’t believe this…all the way!