Verse 1 Rain on the windows, sirens downtown, Another door gets boarded, another light shuts down. They tell us things are changing, they tell us good news, But I know what I’m seeing— We’re still smoking the blues. Used to ride these streets without looking behind, Now you learn pretty quickly to keep danger in mind. Another shattered promise, another tired excuse, How long can a city keep Smoking the blues? Pre-Chorus Where did the integrity go? When did expecting better become asking too much? You can polish the numbers, you can soften the truth, But the street outside the window Is still showing you proof. Chorus Is this really the best we deserve? Is this really the best you can do? Another year of “give us time,” Another year of making do. Blue for the sadness, Blue sold to us as hope, Blue for another promise That went up in smoke. Portlanders are tired of losing, Oregonians are too. Nothing changes if nothing changes— And we’re tired of smoking the blues. Verse 2 A man on the sidewalk barely holding on, Another ambulance coming before the morning’s gone. Fetty in the daylight, desperation in view, Tell me how we got accustomed To living like we do. Somebody built these towers, Somebody built this town. Somebody raised a family here And watched the world turn upside down. Now some are packing boxes, Saying, “Maybe it’s time to move.” You can love a place with all your heart And still hate what it’s going through. Pre-Chorus Where did the integrity go? Where did accountability hide? When everybody owns the victory But nobody owns the decline? Don’t give me another slogan. Don’t tell me what I should believe. Show me something getting better Before another neighbor leaves. Chorus Is this really the best we deserve? Is this really the best you can do? Another year of “give us time,” Another year of making do. Blue for the sadness, Blue sold to us as hope, Blue for another promise That went up in smoke. Portlanders are tired of losing, Oregonians are too. Nothing changes if nothing changes— And we’re tired of smoking the blues. Verse 3 Empty windows in the towers, Another storefront gone. People who remember better days Still trying to hold on. Smoke hanging at the station, Trouble riding on the train, Everybody looking forward, Trying not to catch somebody’s rage. How did this become familiar? When did chaos become routine? When did asking for a safer town Become some impossible dream? We can argue over reasons, We can argue over who— But sooner or later somebody Has to answer what we’re going through. Bridge I remember when downtown felt different. Maybe memory paints things bright. But I remember taking that train home Without wondering who might fight. I remember believing tomorrow Would build on what yesterday knew. Now tomorrow keeps asking The same damn question: What happened to you? This isn’t hatred. This isn’t fear. It’s loving somewhere enough To demand something better here. Because compassion without consequence Can become another excuse. And hope without results Is just another shade of blue. Breakdown How many businesses disappear? How many families say goodbye? How many people hit the pavement Before somebody asks us why? How many times can “we’re working on it” Be everything we hear? How many years do promises last Before the meaning disappears? Nothing changes If nothing changes. Nothing changes By pretending everything’s fine. Final Chorus Is this really the best we deserve? Look around and tell me true. Is this the future we were promised? Is this all we’re supposed to do? Blue for the sadness, Blue sold to us as hope, Blue for another promise That went up in smoke. Blue in the headlines, Blue underneath the lights, Blue in a city that remembers What it felt like to feel right. Portlanders are tired of losing, Oregonians are too. Not just elections— Our streets, our towns, And pieces of the life we knew. But Oregon isn’t finished. Portland isn’t through. A city doesn’t have to surrender Just because it’s battered and bruised. Nothing changes if nothing changes. Maybe that’s where change begins: When people stop accepting That losing is the same as living. Outro Rain keeps falling. Morning comes through. Still love this place. Still believe it can do better. Just tired— So damn tired— Of smoking the blues. Nothing changes if nothing changes.
