Young also records under the names Sky Sailing, Port Blue, Color Therapy, Insect Airport, Seagull Orchestra and his own name, Adam Young.
Young started out making music in 2007 in his basement in his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota, United States, later developing a following through his MySpace profile before being signed to Universal Republic. Young has released seven albums under the Owl City moniker: "Maybe I'm Dreaming" (2008), "Ocean Eyes" (2009), "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (2011), "The Midsummer Station" (2012), "Mobile Orchestra" (2015), "Cinematic" (2018), and "Coco Moon" (2023). Young's 2009 single "Fireflies" reached #1 in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and The Netherlands. His second major hit, 2012's "Good Time" featuring Carly Rae Jepsen reached #8 in the US and #1 in New Zealand.
He was also once a member of Windsor Airlift and Swimming with Dolphins, both of which he is no longer involved with.
Firebird
Owl City Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I would hop into your red Firebird
And, man alive, we would drive just to drive around, town
'Cause in your car we understood and figured out
That everything changes
Everything changes
Tell me why I look back and I wanna cry
You and I had the time of our younger lives
Sometimes I sigh and think about the past
But it's alright, 'cause everything changes
A basement full of boys building homemade bombs
AJ cut his finger and said "go get your mom"
I saw it all through the windshield of my white truck, Troy
Lots of ups, lotsa downs, lots of growing up
'Cause everything changes
Everything changes
Tell me why I look back and I wanna cry
Sometimes I feel like we grew up too fast
You and I had the time of our younger lives
Sometimes I sigh and think about the past
But it's alright, 'cause everything changes
Hey Billy, remember when
It was just us (it was just us)
Pretending we were Nash and Coral
On the school bus
I wouldn't change a thing, 'cause everything changes
Life is different now and that's okay with me
I moved away and you started a family
But deep inside you and I are still the same, kids
'Cause you're my brother and that won't ever change
Even though everything changes
Tell me why I look back and I wanna cry
Sometimes I feel like we grew up too fast
You and I had the time of our younger lives
Sometimes I sigh and think about the past
But it's alright, yeah it's alright
There's a new guest room in my parents' home
The carpet got replaced a couple years ago
Because it isn't my bedroom anymore
There's new photographs on the freezer door
But it's alright, 'cause everything changes
(Everything changes)
We should talk all night and not say a word
('Cause everything changes)
Let me hop into your red Firebird, again
The lyrics to Owl City's song Firebird describe reminiscing on past memories with a close friend or family member. The Firebird car serves as a symbol for the freedom and carefree attitude of youth, and the time spent driving around aimlessly represents the carefree nature of that time in life. The lyrics speak to a sense of loss and nostalgia for that time, as the singer looks back and wishes they could return to the past. However, the lyrics also suggest a sense of acceptance and gratitude for the changes that have occurred since those times, acknowledging that things can't stay the same forever.
The lyrics also reference a group of friends growing up together, including a moment where one of them injures themselves and they rely on each other for support. This illustrates the bond they share and the importance of friendship during the ups and downs of growing up. The lyrics also reference the changes that occur as people grow older, including moving away and starting families, but ultimately, the bond between them remains unchanged.
Overall, the lyrics to Firebird showcase a longing for the past, while also accepting and appreciating the changes that have occurred over time. It serves as a reminder to hold onto close relationships and memories, even as life continually evolves.
Line by Line Meaning
We used to talk all night and not say a word
We enjoyed each other's company so much that words didn't matter.
When I would hop into your red Firebird
I loved being in your car that was a symbol of freedom and happiness.
And, man alive, we would drive just to drive around, town
We enjoyed driving without any destination and exploring the town without any specific plan.
'Cause in your car we understood and figured out
Being together in your car helped us understand and figure out the things that we couldn't by just talking.
That everything changes
We realized that everything in life changes and that's inevitable.
Tell me why I look back and I wanna cry
When I look back at those memories, I feel emotional and nostalgic.
Sometimes I feel like we grew up too fast
Sometimes I feel like we missed out on certain things in our childhood because we grew up too fast.
You and I had the time of our younger lives
Our younger days were full of fun and joy when we were together.
Sometimes I sigh and think about the past
Sometimes I feel a sense of longing and nostalgia when I think about the past.
But it's alright, 'cause everything changes
Even though everything changes, it's okay because change is part of life.
A basement full of boys building homemade bombs
We were young and reckless, and had fun doing dangerous things like building bombs in the basement.
AJ cut his finger and said "go get your mom"
One of us got injured while building a bomb and needed medical attention, so we went to get our mom.
I saw it all through the windshield of my white truck, Troy
I witnessed everything that happened from the safety of my truck parked outside.
Lots of ups, lotsa downs, lots of growing up
We went through many ups and downs together and we grew up together as well.
Hey Billy, remember when
Hey Billy, let's reminisce about the memories we shared.
It was just us (it was just us)
We had each other and that was enough for us to have fun and enjoy life.
Pretending we were Nash and Coral
We had fun pretending to be someone else and experiencing their lives through our imagination.
On the school bus
We had fun together even during mundane activities like riding the school bus.
I wouldn't change a thing, 'cause everything changes
Even though everything changes, I wouldn't change a thing about the memories we shared.
Life is different now and that's okay with me
Our lives have changed in many ways but I have accepted that and it doesn't bother me.
I moved away and you started a family
Our lives have taken different paths and we have different priorities now.
But deep inside you and I are still the same, kids
No matter how old we get, we will always be the same kids who had fun and enjoyed each other's company.
'Cause you're my brother and that won't ever change
We are family and our bond is unbreakable even though everything else changes.
There's a new guest room in my parents' home
Things have changed at home and there are new additions to the house.
The carpet got replaced a couple years ago
Even the small details like the carpet have changed over time.
Because it isn't my bedroom anymore
My old room has changed and is now used for something else.
There's new photographs on the freezer door
We have created new and different memories over time.
We should talk all night and not say a word
We should make the most of our time together and enjoy each other's company like before.
('Cause everything changes)
Even though everything changes, we still have the present moment to create new memories.
Let me hop into your red Firebird, again
Let's relive the memories we shared in your car and create new ones like before.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Adam Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind