To me, Van is singing about how he's happy day to day, but he's meant for something more. He's reading books about hitting the road and traveling the country, while dreaming of being a musician.
The chorus is key:
"What's my line? I'm happy cleaning windows"
He tells himself and others that he's happy, but it's not the whole story...
"Baby, don't let it slide, I'm a working man in my prime, cleaning windows."
He's spending the best years of his life cleaning windows, when he should be following his heart and passion. He knows deep down that he's meant for more, but for now, he's happy enough cleaning windows.
To me, Van is singing about how he's happy day to day, but he's meant for something more. He's reading books about hitting the road and traveling the country, while dreaming of being a musician.
The chorus is key: "What's my line? I'm happy cleaning windows"
"Baby, don't let it slide, I'm a working man in my prime, cleaning windows."