This is the short version of the proverb, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.” The meaning behind the phrase is that one should adapt to the behavior of the people around you. Therefore, we can’t blame Mac for his actions, he’s simply following the norm.
The origin of the phrase traces as far back as 390AD, and is attributed to Saint Ambrose, who, responding to Saint Augustine’s question of when to fast, said;
”When I go to Rome, I fast on Saturday, but here in Milan I do not. Do you also follow the custom of whatever church you attend, if you do not want to give or receive scandal.”
The translated version first appeared in St Augustine: Letters Volume I, published in 1951.
Mac also mimics parts of Rick Ross’ flow from the second verse of the 2006 song “Hustlin’.”
When In Rome
Mac Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah, hahaha
Uh
All the freaks comin' out when the sun down (woo)
Hatin' on it, I don't give a fuck now (woo)
Told her, "Go long", that's a touchdown (touchdown)
Do this for the city and the state (state)
Buster better bring me to the safe (safe)
Want it right now, I ain't really tryna wait (no)
Got me on trial but I'm beatin' that case, huh (beatin' that case)
Motherfucker, say it to my face, say it to my face
Motherfucker, go and say it to my face (say it to my face)
Trippin' now, everything straight
Rappers all wanna drop it now and they can't even get a date (woo)
Feeling great, I'm the man here (man here)
If you got a problem, don't stand here (stand here)
In the middle of the ocean, see the land here (land here)
In the helicopter, fuck it, we gon' land here (land here)
When in, when in Rome
When in Rome, when in, when in Rome
When in, when in Rome
When in Rome, when in, when in Rome
When in, when in Rome
When in Rome, when in, when in Rome
When in, when in Rome
When in Rome, when in, when in Rome
Bad little bitch and her ass fat (ass fat)
I give her to the homie, he can have that (take it)
You talkin' that shit, where the racks at? (Woo)
They keep you on the shelf where the racks at (Goddamn)
I'm just trying to go and see the Colosseum
When I die they better build a mausoleum (woo)
I don't got time bitch I'm high, ain't a secret
I don't got time bitch I'm high, ain't a secret (motherfucker)
Everybody and they mother wanna rap now
Tell 'em cut a check for a youngin', I'ma cash out
Walking in the back door to the pat down
On my shit, you can borrow my bitch, give her back now (right now)
I'ma need that (right now)
Give her back now (right now)
I'ma need that (right, hold up, okay)
Came up from the gravel to the motherfucking castle (woo)
Broke culture, all we do is trappin' (woo)
At the table breaking bread with Italians (uh)
Got a whole bunch of bitches doing Valiums (uh-huh)
Make a song everyday, got a thousand (got a thousand)
Got a whole bunch of trophies and medallions (and medallions)
Been the motherfucking man before the motherfucking money
Got another hundred grand, but who's counting? Whoa
When in, when in, when in Rome
I was nineteen with the homies goin' 'round the globe
Seventy-five K now to book me for a show
Motherfuckers can't see me when they standing on they toes
(God damn, look up, god damn, look up)
(Yeah)
When in, when in, Rome
When in Rome, when in, when in, Rome
When in, when in, Rome
When in Rome, when in, when in, Rome
When in, when in, Rome
When in Rome, when in, when in, Rome
When in, when in, Rome
When in Rome, when in, when in, Rome
I'm at the top of my game
(Goddamn) don't mean to be rude
But me and you, we are not one and the same
(Goddamn) I'm eating your food
And fucking your bitch, 'cause you is a lame
(Goddamn) Pittsburgh
Where I live, stir, little kid
God damn my life changed
I'm at the top of my game
(Scoreboard, scoreboard, scoreboard)
I'm at the top of my game
(Scoreboard, scoreboard, scoreboard)
Said, I'm at the top of my game
(Scoreboard, scoreboard, scoreboard)
I'm at the top of my game
(Scoreboard, scoreboard, scoreboard)
Yeah, I made a couple million off rap like it's nothin'
Keep the shit quiet, I don't stunt too much
She could fuck me, she don't give it up too much
Drink liquor like water, gettin' drunk too much, ha
I was off them drugs too much
In the crib fuckin' all these little sluts too much
How it is when you young, blowin' up too much
Talking shit, but I know that you ain't up to much
Man I been workin', said I'm the greatest
Now that I'm certain, Benzo the latest
Drunk and I'm swerving, I'm going ape shit on all of my verses
Fuck being famous, I'm here to fuck up your favorite
Lately I'm hearin' too much of the same shit
Young and I'm faded
Killin' shit, bury it all under my basement
Shut your motherfucking mouth, bitch (silence)
Fuck your motherfucking couch, bitch (violent)
Yeah you talking, you ain't 'bout shit
Swear you a lame
I'ma keep killin' shit, let them all hate
Bitches in love with my face
Yeah, I'm collecting
I need that money today
The song "When In Rome” by Mac Miller is about his success in the music industry and how it has changed his life. He starts by boasting about his accomplishments and how people are now envious of him. He refers to his successes as "touchdowns". He also mentions that he doesn't care what people say about him, as he is succeeding and winning. Additionally, Miller raps about his encounters with women and fame, and how he is at the top of his game. With the line "when in Rome", Mac Miller is succeeding and thriving in the metaphorical "Rome" of the music industry. Overall, the song is a representation of Miller’s attitude toward competition and his indifferent approach towards others' opinions.
Line by Line Meaning
All the freaks comin' out when the sun down (woo)
People are more likely to be wild and reckless at night time.
Hatin' on it, I don't give a fuck now (woo)
I don't care what others think, I will do what I want.
Bad little bitch with her tongue out (tongue out)
An attractive woman sticking her tongue out in a seductive way.
Told her, "Go long", that's a touchdown (touchdown)
I told her to run long, like in football, and she scored.
Motherfucker, say it to my face, say it to my face
Don't talk behind my back, say it to my face.
In the helicopter, fuck it, we gon' land here (land here)
We're landing this helicopter wherever we want, regardless of rules or restrictions.
When in, when in Rome
When you're somewhere, it's best to do as the locals do.
Broke culture, all we do is trappin' (woo)
We come from poor backgrounds and all we do is hustle to make money.
At the table breaking bread with Italians (uh)
Eating food with people from a different culture than yourself.
Been the motherfucking man before the motherfucking money
I was successful and happy before I became rich.
How it is when you young, blowin' up too much
When you're young and everything is going well, sometimes you get too excited.
Fuck your motherfucking couch, bitch (violent)
I have a lot of anger and am willing to destroy things to prove a point.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jeremy Kulousek, Malcolm James McCormick, Zachary Raymond Vaughan, Bo Ingvar Hansson, Eric Dan, Edward Murray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind