Biography

For years fans of Boston born singer/songwri… Read Full Bio ↴Biography

For years fans of Boston born singer/songwriter Lily Holbrook all had one thing in common...a subway token! Lily was a regular fixture inside the Park Street Subway Station, performing to ever increasing enthusiastic crowds of commuters.

With the 2008 release of her new album, "Wicked Ways," an opening performance for Brian Wilson and a slot at New Jersey's "All Points West" festival headlined by Radiohead, Lily is no longer an underground sensation. Her music has caused pedestrian traffic jams in Boston's Harvard Square and Newbury Street, Santa Monica's famed Third Street Promenade and, more recently, in San Francisco's Castro area.

Lily first unleashed her voice on a wider audience with her independent debut "Running from the Sky" in 2000. Described by fans as "a somber fairy tale" the ethereal vocals and dark lyrics quickly earned a cult following resulting in the street singer selling over 20,000 copies as an unsigned artist. With her steady street buzz she was a natural choice for the film, "Playing for Change"-a rocumentary highlighting the lives of 16 street musicians across the country. The film struck a chord with audiences and was added into rotation on the Sundance Channel, the Independent Film Channel and Comcast On Demand. It also secured Lily her first record deal and in 2005 BackPorch/Virgin released her second album "Everything Was Beautiful and Hurt."

Describing her music as melancholic rock, Lily's influences have always been diverse, ranging from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd to Tori Amos, PJ Harvey and The Cure. Of her latest album the artist says "This is my most accomplished work and fully represents who I am as an artist." As legendary producer Glen Ballard (Alanis Morisette, No Doubt, Michael Jackson) says: "Lily Holbrook is the real deal!"

Lily now calls San Francisco her home and has begun working on her fourth album. Her passion for causes such as LGBTQI rights, animal welfare, at risk youth and women's issues has her donating her musical talents to various charitable organizations throughout the bay area. She continues to busk and delight fans, locals and tourists with her impromtu concerts.

When In Rome
Lily Holbrook Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When in Rome do as the Romans do
When in Rome do as the Romans do
'Cause girl you've gotta pad your bra
Then you're gonna be a real big star
He said, "When in Rome do as the Romans do"

You think there's nothing else I'd rather do
Than sit here and sell myself to you

Well boy you've got some world view
Thinking I owe my soul to you
When in Rome do as the Romans do

And I wanna say to you
And I wanna say to you
You should have tried for another's dignity
'Cause you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me

You think there's nothing else I'd rather do
Than sit here and spread my legs for you
Well boy you're gonna waste your time
Thinking that I ain't got no mind of my own
When in Rome do as the Romans do

And I wanna say to you
And I wanna say to you
You should have tried another's dignity
'Cause you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me

And I wanna say to you
And I wanna say to you
You should have tried for another's dignity
'Cause you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me

'Cause you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me
'Cause you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me
'Cause you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me
'Cause you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me

And I wanna say to you
That you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me

No you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me

No you're never, never, never
Never gonna get to me

Overall Meaning

The song "When In Rome" by Lily Holbrook is a powerful feminist anthem that encourages women to have their own identities and not conform to society's expectations. The chorus repeats the phrase "When in Rome do as the Romans do," which is a common phrase that means to conform to the customs and practices of the society you are in. The song's narrator pushes back against this idea, telling men that she will not "pad [her] bra" or "spread [her] legs" to conform to their expectations of what women should do.

The first verse suggests that the male speaker believes women should do whatever is necessary to become famous or successful, even if it means compromising their values. The singer refutes this idea, pointing out that she has her own mind and will not be controlled or manipulated. The second verse continues this theme of rejecting societal norms that demand women conform to a certain image or behavior. The repeated refrain of "you're never gonna get to me" suggests that the singer is determined to stay true to herself and not be swayed by others.

Overall, "When In Rome" is a strong statement of female empowerment and the need to reject societal expectations that seek to limit women's identities and freedom.

Line by Line Meaning

When in Rome do as the Romans do
Follow the customs and practices of the people in the place you are visiting

When in Rome do as the Romans do
Adapt to the culture and surroundings of the place you are in

'Cause girl you've gotta pad your bra
You need to pretend and put on a facade to be accepted or successful

Then you're gonna be a real big star
Success is achieved by conforming and pretending to fit in

He said, "When in Rome do as the Romans do"
The artist is quoting someone who told them to adapt to the customs of a place

You think there's nothing else I'd rather do
The singer is being forced to conform and they do not agree with it

Than sit here and sell myself to you
The singer feels like they are being forced to put on a fake persona and please someone else

Well boy you've got some world view
The artist thinks the person they are addressing has a narrow way of looking at things

Thinking I owe my soul to you
The person they are addressing feels entitled to the artist's time and attention

And I wanna say to you
The artist wants to express their thoughts and feelings to the person they are addressing

You should have tried for another's dignity
The person they are addressing should not try to manipulate or take advantage of someone else

'Cause you're never, never, never
The artist is emphasizing that the person they are addressing will never be able to control or manipulate them

Never gonna get to me
The person they are addressing will never be able to get the singer to conform or sell themselves out

Than sit here and spread my legs for you
The singer feels like the person they are addressing is trying to sexualize and objectify them

Well boy you're gonna waste your time
The person they are addressing is going to fail in their attempts to control the singer

Thinking that I ain't got no mind of my own
The person they are addressing is underestimating the artist's intelligence and independence

That you're never, never, never
The artist is repeating that the other person will never have any power or control over them

No you're never, never, never
Further emphasizing that the other person has no chance of getting what they want from the singer

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: CAROLYN LEIGH, CY COLEMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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