Fall is in full swing in Portland, which means rain, rain, rain all the time.  Yes, this is the time when we Portlanders dig our heels in and head for cover until March.  Or April.  Or maybe July.  Come to think of it, rain is probably one of Portland’s most distinguishing features, and something about which all of us who live here can commiserate.  So this week’s song, “Rainy Day Blues,” is appropriate for this time of year.  That said, the song actually began several months ago, when I was trying to come up with a Portland song and was banging my head against the proverbial wall, having (song)writer’s block.  As I fooled around with the microphone, I recorded a bass line blues riff.  And it sat, and sat, and sat in my files doing nothing, until I pulled it out today.  And then, ultimately, I rerecorded the original bass line anyway.  So much for forethought.

Lyrics:

Got those rainy day blues,

Oh, got those rainy day blues.

The clouds look so drear,

It’s been raining most of the year --

Got those rainy day blues.

Got those rainy day blues,

Those old rainy day blues.

Have you ever seen so much rain?

I think I might go insane --

Got those rainy day blues.

Got those rainy day blues,

Oh, those rainy day blues.

To the south I want to fly,

Maybe I’ll come back in July --

Got those rainy day blues.

Will we ever see the sun again?

I’ll go crawl under my covers till then.

I’m drowning in Portland, there’s nowhere to hide.

Maybe I’ll live my life inside…

Oh, got those rainy day blues.

I’m looking for some different news.

Have you ever heard a cappella

From underneath an umbrella?

Got those rainy day blues.

I have got those rainy day blues

From my wet hair to my soaking shoes.

I need a parka, need a raincoat --

If it keeps raining, I’ll need a boat --

Got those rainy day blues.

Got those rainy day blues,

So tired of those rainy day blues.

Why do we live in Oregon?

It’s the saddest song I’ve ever sung --

Got those rainy day blues.