Meaning of "I Had A Dream" by John Prine

The dream described in the lyrics seems to reflect a sense of longing and nostalgia. The black and white visuals and the smell of gasoline evoke a sense of old-fashioned romance tainted with danger or unpredictability. The imagery of birds flying through a movie screen hints at a sense of escapism and a desire for something beyond reality. The narrator's desire for a chance with someone amidst this dream world suggests a longing for connection or love that may be unattainable in the waking world. Overall, the lyrics capture the bittersweet nature of dreams, where desires and anxieties intermingle in a surreal landscape.