Meaning of "Summer... It's Gone" by Grandaddy

The lyrics of "Summer... It's Gone" by Grandaddy seem to reflect a feeling of disorientation and melancholy as a period of enjoyment and light-heartedness comes to an end. The protagonist appears lost and adrift, unable to navigate his way forward or make sense of the world around him. The mention of hearing voices in dreams that beckon him to look one way, only to find nothing of substance when he looks, symbolizes the elusive nature of guidance or purpose. The imagery of roads, dead ends, and crowds of fools with common colds alludes to a sense of futility and frustration in trying to find one's way in a world that seems devoid of meaning. The repeated mention of people living in cars that don't run, fighting with phones, and despising the sun hints at a society that is disconnected, technology-dependent, and disconnected from nature. Ultimately, the refrain emphasizing that the sun of summer is gone reinforces the idea of loss and the passage of time, leaving the protagonist feeling adrift and alone.