The first verse is a characterization of the banks and, particularly, the stock market ("walls of clocks"). "Crash Years" literally refers to a (or the) recession but figuratively symbolizes any kind of melancholic time.
In the second verse I believe it is "drab", not "drag". This verse deals with depression from aforementioned event and how we all sometimes hope for more bad in the middle of despair.
The refrain rounds things out and I think the traffic, show, window and mic references are a personal reflection from the perspective of an artist/musician.
The first verse is a characterization of the banks and, particularly, the stock market ("walls of clocks"). "Crash Years" literally refers to a (or the) recession but figuratively symbolizes any kind of melancholic time.
In the second verse I believe it is "drab", not "drag". This verse deals with depression from aforementioned event and how we all sometimes hope for more bad in the middle of despair.
The refrain rounds things out and I think the traffic, show, window and mic references are a personal reflection from the perspective of an artist/musician.