After Loretta Lynn passed away, I spent the night listening to her Van Lear Rose album and finding again how great that album is. I would recommend taking a listen to this song. It works for country, rock, and pop. I love the opening line… Well, Portland, Oregon and sloe gin fizz, If that ain’t love then tell me what is, uh huh, uh huh.
She did a lot for women in the business and paved the way for later stars. Songs like The Pill and X Rated were largely ignored by country radio at the time but that didn’t stop them from hitting No 1. She was one of the best songwriters in country history.
– Loretta Lynn and Jack White – Portland Oregon – PowerPop.blog
Fellow music blogger Max (above) spoke about his time meeting Loretta Lynn:
When I was eight years old, my mom took me to Loretta Lynn’s ranch. I actually had breakfast with Loretta Lynn. My mom knew someone who knew her… we were at her Ranch that was just opened to the public. She saw us and pointed and said “come in here” and we sat at the table and ate with her. She was very nice. She kept asking if I needed anything and if I was having a good time.
She was one of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met. Even though I was young, she didn’t talk down to me…she talked to me. It was a wonderful experience and even I knew at that age it was special…that this didn’t happen all of the time.
She wrote about real-life situations with women during her career. Her songwriting was honest and pure.
[Verse 1-Loretta Lynn]
Well, Portland, Oregon and sloe gin fizz
If that ain’t love, then tell me what is, uh-huh uh-huh
Well I lost my heart, it didn’t take no time
But that ain’t all, I lost my mind in Oregon
[Verse 2-Jack White & Loretta Lynn]
In a booth in the corner with the lights down low
I was moving in fast she was taking it slow, uh-huh uh-huh
Well, I looked at him and caught him looking at me
I knew right then, we were playing free in Oregon
[Verse 3-Jack White & Loretta Lynn]
Next day, we knew last night got drunk
But we loved enough for the both of us, uh-huh uh-huh
In the morning when the night had sobered up
It was much too late for the both of us in Oregon
[Verse 4-Loretta Lynn & Jack White]
Well, sloe gin fizz works mighty fast
When you drink it by the pitcher and not by the glass, uh-huh uh-huh
Hey bartender, before you close
Pour us one more drink and a pitcher to go
References:
1. Portland Oregon (song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
This is cool….
Yep it sure is.
Thanks Matt… What an incredible lady she was… not to even mention being one of the best female songwriters of the 20th Century. She was writing about things that I am surprised that country radio let play…they did ban some of her songs but that made the sell more.
I first just wanted to relay your thoughts on the song, but that account of yours meeting was too good to pass up. I’m afraid I know next to nothing about her, but I hope I hear more from her.
I went on a Don Williams binge this morning because of this post and your personal connection. Cheers buddy.
She was a country girl but would write songs about “The Pill” and other songs that would rile the country community up…but she was so damn graceful that she was always respected and well loved. My mother was as conservative as you could get…but loved her.
Thanks Matt!
I see. What’s not to love. Thanks for the added insights Max.
Great song that resulted from an intriguing inter-generational partnership. If I see this correctly, Loretta Lynn was 76 at time of the recording, while Jack White was 29.
Max’s personal encounter and experience with Lynn is priceless and one illustration of her apparent kindness.
Thanks for relaying your thoughts on this track and Max’s experiences with Lynn. I appreciate it Christian. I wish my response to you here was more prompt, but family time has taken priority the last little while. Cheers.