Obviously this song is about spreading rumors or just badmouthing things/people and not wanting to hear it. Dragging names through the mud could also mean muckraking. Basically it's saying gossip(the devil, tall tales, hogwash, stone-throwing) is everywhere(in the air, within shouting distance, on the front page), but he is not one of those "rubbernecks" buying into it, no matter how popular. He says to "keep an ear to the ground" because he does not want other people to hear the gossiping about himself. Tell me a story... not to worry (not wanting to worry about other people/ their "problems") or pick up the phone (spread the rumors to others).
The song most likely represents the shift of focus to pop culture from knowledge and faith.
It's obviously a religious song as well with references to the devil, praying, and the church itself (these walls). It promises that within the walls of the church, one will be saved from gossip and verbal abuse.
Obviously this song is about spreading rumors or just badmouthing things/people and not wanting to hear it. Dragging names through the mud could also mean muckraking. Basically it's saying gossip(the devil, tall tales, hogwash, stone-throwing) is everywhere(in the air, within shouting distance, on the front page), but he is not one of those "rubbernecks" buying into it, no matter how popular. He says to "keep an ear to the ground" because he does not want other people to hear the gossiping about himself. Tell me a story... not to worry (not wanting to worry about other people/ their "problems") or pick up the phone (spread the rumors to others).
The song most likely represents the shift of focus to pop culture from knowledge and faith.
It's obviously a religious song as well with references to the devil, praying, and the church itself (these walls). It promises that within the walls of the church, one will be saved from gossip and verbal abuse.