Rome
Dermot Kennedy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴So, what's the past for?
I'll need it if love don't last long
You can run around infinite in my head
Oh, you can't see, oh, I'd stay if you asked me
Now you know I care, but it's hard to tell when you're scared

But last night
It hurt me to hear you say it felt broken

And even though I tried
All these memories run my mind in slow motion

Do you remember when
Midnight drives when you'd sing
I'd play you songs you were in?
I just want to be there again
Do you remember when
With Rome below us that day
You said, "I wish we could stay"?
I just want to be there again

Remember that first laugh?
All it changed once I had that
Like a hurricane, but I don't care where I land
So, dance carefree, I hope it's easier knowing me
Now, your soul is yours, but I'll help it move if I can

But last night
It hurt me to hear you say it felt broken
And even though I tried
All these memories run my mind in slow motion

Do you remember when
Midnight drives when you'd sing
I'd play you songs you were in?
I just want to be there again
Do you remember when
With Rome below us that day
You said, "I wish we could stay"?
I just want to be there again

Do you remember when? Oh
Do you remember when?

I don't ever wanna leave when you cry
I know I give you reasons to hide
I need you to stay by my side
First shootin' star that you ever saw
We were right on our feet though, right?
Opening the car door for light
I really thought I'd lose you that time

Do you remember when
Midnight drives when you'd sing
I'd play you songs you were in?
I just want to be there again
Do you remember when
With Rome below us that day
You said, "I wish we could stay"?
I just want to be there again

Do you remember when? Oh
Do you remember when?
Do you remember when? Oh
Do you remember when?

Ooh, ah
Ooh, ooh

Overall Meaning

The song Rome by Dermot Kennedy tells a story about a past relationship that the singer deeply misses. The lyrics express feelings of longing, reminiscence, and the strong desire to relive the past. The opening lines, "So, what's the past for? I'll need it if love don't last long," reveal that the singer is unsure about the future of the relationship and is seeking comfort in the past memories. The next line, "You can run around infinite in my head," beautifully captures the idea of how deeply the memories of this person are etched in the singer's mind.

Further, in the chorus, the singer asks the listener if they remember the good times of their past, singing lines such as "Midnight drives when you'd sing, I'd play you songs you were in" and asking about the time when they were in Rome, with the lyrics "With Rome below us that day, you said, 'I wish we could stay'? I just want to be there again." The chorus highlights how much the singer misses the moments they shared with their ex.

The lyric, "I don't ever wanna leave when you cry, I know I give you reasons to hide," hints at possible mistakes or flaws in the singer's behaviour that may have led to the ending of the relationship. However, the deep love and care for the person are depicted in the line, "I need you to stay by my side," conveying the idea that the singer wishes to fix the relationship.

Overall, Rome is a powerful song that captures the longing, regret, and deep feelings of love that arise from the memory of a past relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

So, what's the past for?
Why keep past memories if love doesn't last long?

I'll need it if love don't last long
I'll keep the past memories in case we don't last as a couple.

You can run around infinite in my head
You occupy a big part of my thoughts and imagination.

Oh, you can't see, oh, I'd stay if you asked me
I want to stay with you, but I won't impose myself on you.

Now you know I care, but it's hard to tell when you're scared
I care about you, but it's difficult to show it when you're fearful.

But last night
Referencing the previous conversation/interaction/night.

It hurt me to hear you say it felt broken
Your words pained me when you mentioned feeling broken.

And even though I tried
Despite my efforts to understand and help you.

All these memories run my mind in slow motion
All the memories of us move through my mind as if they are in slow motion.

Do you remember when
Asking if you recall a specific memory.

Midnight drives when you'd sing
Reminiscing about the times we would drive at midnight and you'd sing.

I'd play you songs you were in?
I would play you songs that you felt connected to.

I just want to be there again
I want to relive those moments with you again.

With Rome below us that day
Recalling a memory of being in Rome together.

You said, 'I wish we could stay'?
You mentioned that you wanted to stay there longer.

Remember that first laugh?
Asking if you recall the first time we laughed together.

All it changed once I had that
After that laugh, everything between us changed.

Like a hurricane, but I don't care where I land
Our relationship is chaotic and tumultuous, but I don't care where it takes me.

So, dance carefree, I hope it's easier knowing me
I want you to dance freely and be happy, and I hope I make it easier for you to do so.

Now, your soul is yours, but I'll help it move if I can
You are in charge of your own soul, but I'll do my best to help you make progress.

I don't ever wanna leave when you cry
I never want to leave you alone when you are upset.

I know I give you reasons to hide
I understand that I may be the reason you isolate yourself or hide your feelings.

I need you to stay by my side
I want you to be with me, now and always.

First shootin' star that you ever saw
Recalling the time when you saw your first shooting star.

We were right on our feet though, right?
Although we were caught off guard, we were quick to react and enjoyed the moment.

Opening the car door for light
Remembering the unique way we improvised to get more light.

I really thought I'd lose you that time
Reflecting on a time I was scared I might lose you.

Do you remember when?
Asking if you remember a specific moment.

Ooh, ah
Vocalizations expressing emotion.

Ooh, ooh
Vocalizations expressing emotion.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dermot Kennedy, Scott Harris, Stephen Noel Kozmeniuk

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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