Fly On A Windshield

Genesis' song 'Fly On A Windshield' paints a vivid picture of existential dread and the overwhelming nature of modern life. The opening lines, 'There’s something solid forming in the air, and the wall of death is lowered in Times Square,' suggest an impending doom or a significant, ominous change. Times Square, a symbol of bustling modernity and commercialism, becomes a backdrop for this foreboding event, highlighting the contrast between the everyday hustle and the looming threat. The indifference of the people, 'they carry on as if nothing was there,' underscores a sense of disconnection and apathy prevalent in society.

As the song progresses, the imagery becomes more intense and personal. 'The wind is blowing harder now, blowing dust into my eyes,' evokes a sense of discomfort and helplessness. The dust settling on the skin, forming a crust, symbolizes the layers of societal pressures and expectations that weigh down individuals, making it difficult to move or act freely. This metaphorical crust represents the constraints and burdens that people accumulate over time, often without realizing it.

The final lines, 'And I’m hovering like a fly, waiting for the windshield on the freeway,' encapsulate the feeling of being trapped and powerless. The fly, a small and insignificant creature, represents the individual in the vast, impersonal machinery of modern life. The windshield on the freeway signifies an inevitable, crushing force that one cannot escape. This powerful imagery reflects the existential angst and the sense of impending doom that many feel in the face of an overwhelming and indifferent world.