Here we are, folks!  The final song of the One Year of Portland Songs Blog!  Let me say, briefly, that I really appreciate those of you who took the time to listen this year.  Though I don’t find myself wanting to go on for one more year, I’ve had a great time.

One little plug: I did put together a CD of twenty of my favorite songs from the Portland Songs blog, called “The Portland Songs Project.”  You can read about it on this site here, and you can also order it from CD Baby and digital distributors like iTunes (just search for “Doescher”).

The final song of the One Year of Portland Songs Blog is “Should Have, Could Have, Would Have,” a look back at the year and at all the songs that *could have* easily appeared, but didn’t.  This song probably could have been five hours long -- there’s that much to write about in the Rose City.  But I kept it to a sane length.

Once again, thanks to all of you who listened!

Lyrics:

It’s been such a long year,

And one thing’s crystal clear:

I really didn’t come near

To covering everything here.

Portland’s so grand, Portland’s a hit,

Fifty-two weeks can’t do justice to it.

And though this week is when I have to quit,

I’ve left some stuff out, I have to admit…

There should have been a song about the Centers:

Convention, Expo and Lloyd.

There could have been a song about the parts of town

Urban planners like to avoid.

There would have been a song about the Blazer Dancers

But my wife would just be annoyed.

Should have, could have, would have --

It’s been a heck of a year, Portland knows!

There should have been a song about the Esplanade,

How it brightens up our life.

There could have been a song about the new border bridge

And how it’s causing interstate strife.

There would have been a song teasing Kulongoski,

But then he went under the knife.

Should have, could have, would have --

It’s been a heck of a year, Portland knows!

There’s so much I could have written about.

I could go on for years, I have no doubt,

Singing songs about Portland till my voice goes out.

The Puddle City doesn’t make for creative drought.

(No creative drought!)

There should have been a song about the 24-Hour

Church of Elvis in town.

There could have been a song about the Velveteria,

The strangest show around.

There would have been a song about our per capita strip joints,

But that just makes me frown.

Should have, could have, would have --

It’s been a heck of a year, Portland knows!

So many songs would have been so much fun,

I could turn fifty-two into a thousand and one.

And though the ideas have only begun,

I have to admit, I’m not sad to be…

It’s kind of a shame, but I’m glad to be…

When you heard this song, you knew I had to be…

Done!