Most recently, Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for critically acclaimed Atlantic/Roadrunner Records U.K.-based recording act Porcupine Tree, during the In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet, and The Incident world tours. Wesley's versatility shows from his diverse touring background. In recent years he has performed lead guitars and background vocals for White Lion front man Mike Tramp, subbed on lead guitar and bass for Gainsville's Sister Hazel, and as lead guitarist for Scottish neo-prog band Fish on many lengthy European, American and South American Tours and on several U.S. and European Solo dates.
In 2005, Wesley produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver, co-produced by Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree.
He has an official fan website at http://www.john-wesley.com where fans can read lyrics, view photos and preview album clips.
On the 24th August 2007, John Wesley announced that he was making the majority of his solo material available for free download on his website http://www.john-wesley.com, in what he called his "Share the Wes" policy. He will still be offering certain CDs and new releases for purchase at gigs and online.
2. John Wesley was an American soul singer of the 1960s, who released most of his music on the Melic record label. Most of his recordings were credited to John Wesley & The Four Tees, except for a 1966 single called 'Love Is Such a Funny Thing', which was recorded with The Four Tees but credited to Wesley alone.
Rome is Burning
John Wesley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking over the ruins burning still
Where was I for all of this.
Where was I for all of this.
You never looked so bad she said
I didn't know I could do all this she said
I didn't know all this could burn with just a kiss
I didn't know
You didn't notice Rome was burning
You didn't notice you had the flame still in your hands
Why didn't you notice Rome was burning
As the passion filled your eyes
You couldn't see to find the home you'd left behind
Like all the lovers that live blind
Lovers that live blind
No you couldn't see
You didn't notice Rome was burning
You didn't notice you had the flame still in your hands
Why didn't you notive Rome was burning
In John Wesley's song "Rome is Burning," the singer stands atop a hill, surveying the burning ruins below. A female companion remarks that the singer "never looked so bad," to which the singer replies that they had no idea they could cause such destruction, that it could all "burn with just a kiss." The lyrics suggest a passionate relationship that has come to a fiery end, leaving the singer to wonder where they were during the downfall of the relationship. The singer contemplates how they were blinded by their passion, unable to see the truth of the situation until it was too late.
The metaphor of Rome burning serves as a symbol for the destruction of a relationship, where the singer feels lost and unable to understand how it all went so wrong. The lyrics suggest that both parties were at fault, with the singer unable to notice the warning signs, while the other party held onto the destructive flame. However, it is ultimately unclear whether the singer is addressing their former lover or speaking to themselves, reflecting on their own failures in love.
Line by Line Meaning
High upon a hill
Observing from a vantage point
Looking over the ruins burning still
Viewing the destruction that continues to occur
Where was I for all of this.
Expressing confusion and absence during the calamity
You never looked so bad she said
Acknowledging the severity of the situation
I didn't know I could do all this she said
Realizing the personal responsibility for the destruction
I didn't know all this could burn with just a kiss
Expressing disbelief at the destructive power of passion
Burn with just a kiss
Emphasizing the destructive power of passion
You didn't notice Rome was burning
Critiquing a failure to recognize the destructive events
You didn't notice you had the flame still in your hands
Acknowledging the role in the destruction
Why didn't you notice Rome was burning
Questioning the absence of recognition for the calamity
As the passion filled your eyes
Indicating an emotional state of mind
You couldn't see to find the home you'd left behind
Losing sight of what was familiar
Like all the lovers that live blind
Drawing an analogy to the blindness of amorous affection
Lovers that live blind
Repeating the comparison of passionate blindness
No you couldn't see
Acknowledging the literal and metaphorical blindness of the preceding lines
Why didn't you notice Rome was burning
Reiterating the main question and theme of the song
Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.