Meaning and Lyrics of Car Trouble by Owl City

Song Lyrics meaning of Car Trouble by Owl City

About Owl City

Owl City is the musical brainchild of Adam Young, an insomniac bedroom producer from Owatonna, Minnesota who rocketed to stardom in the late 2000s.

Young began crafting dreamy, synth-pop confections in his parents’ basement, uploading tracks to MySpace that quickly gained traction. His breakout hit “Fireflies” in 2009 catapulted Owl City into the mainstream, topping charts worldwide with its whimsical lyrics and infectious electro-pop hooks.

Blending elements of indie electronic, synth-pop, and emo, Owl City’s sound is characterized by lush synthesizers, playful melodies, and Young’s distinctive vocals. His lyrics often explore themes of wonder, nostalgia, and social awkwardness with a quirky, sometimes saccharine touch.

While “Fireflies” remains Owl City’s biggest hit, tracks like “Good Time” (featuring Carly Rae Jepsen) and “When Can I See You Again?” have also achieved significant success. The project has released multiple albums, with “Ocean Eyes” (2009) and “All Things Bright and Beautiful” (2011) standing out as fan favorites.

“Car Trouble,” while not one of Owl City’s most well-known tracks, showcases Young’s knack for blending catchy electronic production with relatable, sometimes offbeat lyrics. It’s a prime example of the whimsical, slightly nerdy charm that defines Owl City’s unique place in the pop landscape.

Meaning of Car Trouble by Owl City

“Car Trouble” by Owl City talks about the journey of a protagonist who encounters unexpected challenges while trying to reach their destination. The song starts with the character driving all afternoon, highlighting their determination amidst obstacles they face. The repeated mention of being late and facing difficulties like a broken-down car, flat tires, running out of gas, and bad weather reflect the series of setbacks and frustrations on the road.

Despite these problems, the protagonist finds solace in the thought of reuniting with a loved one, symbolized by a photograph on the dashboard. This connection serves as a source of comfort and motivation during the long and arduous journey. There is a sense of optimism and perseverance in the face of adversity as the protagonist continues to push forward, driven by the anticipation of meeting their loved one.

The lyrics also touch upon themes of love and commitment, as the protagonist expresses their feelings of devotion and eagerness to see their partner. The use of imagery like buying a bouquet of daisies and promising to stay home upon arrival conveys a sense of dedication and longing to be reunited with their loved one.

The song’s bridge delves deeper into the protagonist’s musings about their delayed arrival, questioning if they are unavoidably detained or fashionably late. Despite the challenges faced and the uncertainty of the journey, there is a sense of determination and hope in eventually reaching the destination.

In the end, the song emphasizes the enduring love and excitement of finally reuniting with the loved one, capturing the emotional journey of overcoming obstacles and staying committed to the goal. The catchy rhythm and energetic tone of the song complement the theme of perseverance and anticipation, making it a relatable and uplifting piece for listeners.

Lyrics of Car Trouble by Owl City

Intro
Hey, so it's a really long story
But I've been drivin' all afternoon
(I-I-I-I-I've)
(Drivin', drivin', drivin', drivin')

Verse 1
I've been drivin' all afternoon
But I hate to say it, I won't be there soon
And though I'm late, you know I just can't wait
To come home to my slice of heaven on toast
But my Grand Prix broke down without fail
Another flat tire and another nail
I miss your smile but this could take a while
'Cause this "Road Closed" sign says there's no way around

Chorus
No, first I felt kinda sad but I said out loud
"You know, this isn't so bad?"
Your photograph on my dash knows it's true
It might take me forever, but I can't wait to see you

Verse 2
I've been trudgin' since 2 AM
On the side of this highway, 'cause back there when
I patched that flat, I ran on fumes
And that was a bad move 'cause yeah, I ran out of gas
The heavens opened, the rain came down
Now I'm soaked to the bone, but I'm homeward bound
So I just don't care how much I have to bear
'Cause you'll be there when I walk in through the door

Chorus
So down this road I will run and only stop to buy you
A bouquet for no reason
Hey, it's kinda crazy what daisies can do
It might take me forever, but I can't wait to see you

Bridge
Well hey, I'd say that the real question is
Am I unavoidably detained
Or extremely fashionably late?
There ain't nothing ventured, nothing gained
It just really hasn't been my day
But, I'm on my way
Am I unavoidably detained
Or just unbelievably, insanely, fashionably late?
There ain't nothing ventured, nothing gained
It just really, truly, hasn't been my day
But I'm on my way

Verse 3
If I blew in by daybreak, I'd be in luck
I'd hand you a coffee right when you woke up
But my ETA just jumped to MIA
And I'm so lost, my mind is startin' to stray
Let's say I fly to Kathmandu
To show the whole world I got a lot to prove
But all I find is all these highways wind
And lead back to my slice of heaven on toast

Chorus
Oh, would your heart kinda glow if I held your hand
And I promised to stay home?
Hey, when I blow in that's the first thing I'll do
It might take me forever
It might take me forever
But I love you forever, and I can't wait to see you

Post-Chorus
Yeah

Bridge
Woo! Hey, I'd say that the real question is
Am I unavoidably detained
Or extremely fashionably late?
There ain't nothing ventured, nothing gained
It just really, truly, hasn't been my day
But, I'm on my way

Am I unavoidably detained
Or just unbelievably, insanely, fashionably late?
There ain't nothing ventured, nothing gained
It just really, truly, hasn't been my day
But, I'm on my way, yeah

Outro
I've been drivin' all afternoon
But I hate to say it, I won't be there soon

Discography Owl City

Coco Moon Deluxe

Release: 2024-03-22
Label: Sky Harbor Records
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Adam, Check Please
2. Under the Circus Lights
3. Kelly Time
4. Field Notes
5. Sons of Thunder
6. The Tornado
7. Vitamin Sea
8. Dinosaur Park
9. Learn How to Surf
10. The Meadow Lark
11. My Muse
12. Car Trouble
13. Boston
14. Adam, Check Please (Up North Version)
15. Under the Circus Lights (Live)
16. The Tornado (Instrumental)
17. Dinosaur Park (Instrumental)
Tracklist Collapse

Coco Moon

Release: 2023-03-24
Label: Sky Harbor Records
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Adam, Check Please
2. Under the Circus Lights
3. Kelly Time
4. Field Notes
5. Sons of Thunder
6. The Tornado
7. Vitamin Sea
8. Dinosaur Park
9. Learn How to Surf
10. The Meadow Lark
11. My Muse
Tracklist Collapse

Cinematic

Release: 2018-06-01
Label: Owl City
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Fiji Water
2. The 5th of July
3. All My Friends
4. House Wren
5. Not All Heroes Wear Capes
6. Montana
7. Lucid Dream
8. Always
9. Cloud Nine
10. Winners Never Quit
11. Madeline Island
12. Be Brave
13. New York City
14. Firebird
15. Cinematic
16. All My Friends – Alt Version
17. Montana – Alt Version
18. Firebird – Alt Version
Tracklist Collapse
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Coco Moon Deluxe

Release: 2024-03-22
Label: Sky Harbor Records
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Adam, Check Please
2. Under the Circus Lights
3. Kelly Time
4. Field Notes
5. Sons of Thunder
6. The Tornado
7. Vitamin Sea
8. Dinosaur Park
9. Learn How to Surf
10. The Meadow Lark
11. My Muse
12. Car Trouble
13. Boston
14. Adam, Check Please (Up North Version)
15. Under the Circus Lights (Live)
16. The Tornado (Instrumental)
17. Dinosaur Park (Instrumental)
Tracklist Collapse

Coco Moon

Release: 2023-03-24
Label: Sky Harbor Records
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Adam, Check Please
2. Under the Circus Lights
3. Kelly Time
4. Field Notes
5. Sons of Thunder
6. The Tornado
7. Vitamin Sea
8. Dinosaur Park
9. Learn How to Surf
10. The Meadow Lark
11. My Muse
Tracklist Collapse

Cinematic

Release: 2018-06-01
Label: Owl City
Popularity: 👏👏
1. Fiji Water
2. The 5th of July
3. All My Friends
4. House Wren
5. Not All Heroes Wear Capes
6. Montana
7. Lucid Dream
8. Always
9. Cloud Nine
10. Winners Never Quit
11. Madeline Island
12. Be Brave
13. New York City
14. Firebird
15. Cinematic
16. All My Friends – Alt Version
17. Montana – Alt Version
18. Firebird – Alt Version
Tracklist Collapse
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