i think the key verse to this song is the third one. a land-locked lover can be defined as someone who is very introverted about their environment; they aren't very knowledgeable or aware of what is going on in the world around them and/or they have their own beliefs and explanations that they stand by- true or not- about the world (referring to anchored armor). so its saying to disreguard biased people's claims, or at least that what they say isn't always true.
the first two verses are saying to believe in streetwise angels (someone who is smart in the ways of the world, someone who has good common sense) and book smart devils (people who accel scholastically, who are academically inclined, etc.)
also take note of the use of the words angel and devil; devils are creatures that are "not to be trusted, they cause chaos and destruction" and when paired with book smart, i think it can be implied that they are referring to politicians, corrupted leaders, teachers, etc. so i think its saying that even though they're devils we're forced to believe in them because they have so much influence and impact on out lives, as do the streetwise angels (friends, family, "everyday people"). i think the term angel is applied to streetwise because usually common sense and knowing the ways of the world are used more than book smarts, and are also your saving grace.
the order in which the verses are sung can also be taken into account. in general people believe the streetwise angles more than they do the book smart devils, because the "angels" have more of a personal influence on our lives. the third verse follows it up as a warning that streetwise angels and book smart devils can very well fall into the land-locked lovers category.
the repition of the word sobering sums it all up; the fact that we can't always trust and believe in those who we would like to (or even have to) is a very sobering fact indeed.
i think the key verse to this song is the third one. a land-locked lover can be defined as someone who is very introverted about their environment; they aren't very knowledgeable or aware of what is going on in the world around them and/or they have their own beliefs and explanations that they stand by- true or not- about the world (referring to anchored armor). so its saying to disreguard biased people's claims, or at least that what they say isn't always true.
the first two verses are saying to believe in streetwise angels (someone who is smart in the ways of the world, someone who has good common sense) and book smart devils (people who accel scholastically, who are academically inclined, etc.)
also take note of the use of the words angel and devil; devils are creatures that are "not to be trusted, they cause chaos and destruction" and when paired with book smart, i think it can be implied that they are referring to politicians, corrupted leaders, teachers, etc. so i think its saying that even though they're devils we're forced to believe in them because they have so much influence and impact on out lives, as do the streetwise angels (friends, family, "everyday people"). i think the term angel is applied to streetwise because usually common sense and knowing the ways of the world are used more than book smarts, and are also your saving grace.
the order in which the verses are sung can also be taken into account. in general people believe the streetwise angles more than they do the book smart devils, because the "angels" have more of a personal influence on our lives. the third verse follows it up as a warning that streetwise angels and book smart devils can very well fall into the land-locked lovers category.
the repition of the word sobering sums it all up; the fact that we can't always trust and believe in those who we would like to (or even have to) is a very sobering fact indeed.