In this episode, Portland Oregon’s Fred Van Vactor tells the story behind his song, “Leaving Eugene.”

I remember a piece of sage advice from my 7th grade writing teacher who told the class, “write what you know.” I’m completely familiar with the city of Eugene, Oregon. I’ve spent over 25 years bouncing in and out of this rainy Northwest college town, a town my friends and I nicknamed; “the happy fun bubble.” When you live within the confines of a certain geographic area; faces, characters, places, streets and yearly events, can become almost annoyingly familiar. It’s this sort of “worn out” frame of mind in which the song was written. Eugene became like a favorite concert t-shirt you’ve worn for years; comfortable, familiar, and filled with holes and fond memories. One day, even though it still fits perfectly, you pull it out of the drawer, take a breath, and let it go. As the zen saying goes, “one door closes, another door opens.” In this case, a song was born.

Some songwriter friends of mine sometimes play a songwriting game where somebody picks a word or group of words and each songwriter goes off and writes a new song using the agreed on word (or words) in the song. (usually within 24 hours time) Then everyone gets together and play’s their song for
each other. Pretty much, anything goes. BUT, if you don’t do the assignment, you may get “kicked out of the band,” so to speak. It doesn’t matter if the song completely sucks, what’s important is that you complete something that has the word(s) in it. Then the “winner” gets to pick the new word and it starts all over again.

The game for Leaving Eugene was long over before I got involved playing it. I found a list of old song titles (from past games) and wrote some of them down, to hopefully provide some later inspiration. Several of those ended up on my album; Everything Good All At Once. Leaving Eugene, Pixie Stick Girl, and Falling In Love With Jill Kotowski were all born from that list.

I had my journal that I scribble lyric ideas into and Leaving Eugene had been sitting there for weeks. I didn’t have the usual time limit because the game for it had long been over. I usually tend to start and finish songs fairly quickly, in a matter of hours. This particular song title had been sitting in my consciousness for quite a while. One day I picked up my guitar and came up with the opening riff, it just popped out! I really liked how happy sounding and upbeat the music was. It had this sort of “Brady Bunch” quality to it. The musical riff went against the satyrical and mocking lyric style. Yet it really worked well together. The music and lyrics had a sugar and salt-like relationship, or dare I say, “love and
hate?”

Once the song was finished the next step is to show it off in public. I remember inviting a friend up to hold the new lyrics at a solo acoustic gig in Eugene. The crowd went nuts for it. They totally got it, jokes and all! It was, in my mind, a keeper song. After playing it live in several situations and having it on the CD, it definitely sometimes gets a mixed reaction. Some Eugene folks have came up and asked me, “So, why do you hate Eugene?” So just for the record, let it be known I am definitely not anti-Eugene. It just captures that sugar-salt essence of any long term relationship. It’s like visiting family at Christmas. It’s a feeling everyone can relate to; “We grew up together and I love you, but sometimes you drive me nuts!” Besides, I didn’t move far, I’m just residing in Portland now! One door closes, another door opens!

Fred Van Vactor

LEAVING EUGENE

I’m sick of Eugene. She’s making me ill.
Like an old roller coaster. There’s no more thrill.
I’m so sick of Eugene. She’s bringing me down.
You can really get stuck in this f*cked up town.
Well Eugene, it’s been nice, glad to know ya.
But Eugene, now’s the perfect time to blow ya.

I’m sick of Eugene. I’m stuck in a rut.
In a town so dead, like old king tut.
I’m sick of Eugene. She always repeats,
it’s the same old song in her pot-holed streets.

Oh Eugene, it’s been nice, but now i’m leavin.
And Eugene, if you want me to stay here, well, you’re dreamin.
Eugene, it’s been fun, but it’s all been done.
F*in Eugene, it’s so over, I’m leaving Eugene.

I’m sick of Eugene. There’s no more action.
I don’t smoke the stuff, Can’t get satisfaction
So good ole Eugene, it’s LA or bust,
you’re always raining, I’m covered in lust.
Well eugene, it’s been nice, glad to know ya.
But eugene, now’s the perfect time to blow ya!

I’m leaving Eugene (“he’s leaving Eugene)

I’m sick of Eugene. Got one last verse.
I’ve kissed your lips and felt your curse.
How i love you Eugene, but you make me sick.

I’ll get in this car and i’ll leave so quick!