Portlandia Theme Song Lyrics
Behind the Music: Meaning & Story
The Portlandia theme song, titled “Feel It All Around,” is the quintessential anthem of the “chillwave” music movement. Performed by Washed Out (the stage name for Ernest Greene), the track’s hazy, sun-drenched synths and lo-fi aesthetics perfectly mirrored the show’s hip, satirical take on the “dream of the 90s” being alive in Portland. While the song is by Washed Out, the connection to the show’s co-creator and star, Carrie Brownstein, is profound; as a member of Sleater-Kinney and a veteran of the Pacific Northwest music scene, she helped curate the show’s distinct sonic identity.
Premiering on January 21, 2011, on the IFC network, Portlandia used the song to ground its absurd sketches in a very specific, cool-yet-mockable atmosphere. The lyrics—”You feel it all around yourself / You know it’s yours and no one else”—capture a sense of self-awareness and localized identity that the show frequently explored through its many characters, played by Fred Armisen and Brownstein.
Throughout its 77 episodes, the series became a cultural touchstone for its biting yet affectionate commentary on artisan culture and modern eccentricities. By the time the final episode aired on March 22, 2018, “Feel It All Around” had become inseparable from the image of a bicycle-riding, pickling, bird-putting-on-things version of Oregon. It remains a beloved piece of television history that continues to define the “vibe” of an entire decade of alternative comedy.