I think Thom has said that the primary line of the song "if you try the best you can, the best you can is good enough" came from his wife, who was obviously trying to cheer him up. I don't think the song's title is necessarily ironic: sure there's all kinds of evil and deceit in the world, but we don't have control over all of that. What is (or should be) important is your actions in the view of the people that you love. In this case, all this loved one wants if for you to "try the best you can", and that would satisfy them. It's all that you need.
I think Thom has said that the primary line of the song "if you try the best you can, the best you can is good enough" came from his wife, who was obviously trying to cheer him up. I don't think the song's title is necessarily ironic: sure there's all kinds of evil and deceit in the world, but we don't have control over all of that. What is (or should be) important is your actions in the view of the people that you love. In this case, all this loved one wants if for you to "try the best you can", and that would satisfy them. It's all that you need.