Loretta Lynn had written the music and lyrics to "Portland Oregon" years prior to its recording date.

The song was based on a true event, during a time when Lynn pretended to have a love affair with her guitarist, Cal Smith.

Randy Erickson of the La Crosse Tribune called it "a fun song" with "snaky psychedelic guitar and building drums on the intro.

"[3] Stephen Thomas Erlewine found that Lynn and White's duet partnership "complemented each other" in his review of her 2004 album.

"The record captures the essence of Loretta Lynn's music even as it has flourishes that are distinctly Jack, such as the slide guitar that powers their duet, "Portland Oregon," he wrote.

"[5] Patrick Doyle of Rolling Stone called it "a boozy country epic with one of the greatest intros of the century.

[8][9] To promote the single, Lynn performed the song on several television programs, including the Late Show with David Letterman.