what it is
R.O.M.E Lyrics

The first stanza of R.O.M.E's song "What It Is" talks about the tendency of people to focus on appearances and material wealth. The "outside" and "underneath the wall" refer to the external façade that people present to the world, while "all the money couldn't buy" suggests that such possessions are not enough to truly fulfill one's life. The line "you're mistaken no one's standing there for the record no one tried" implies that people may also try to appear successful even if they have not truly earned it or taken any real action.

The second stanza delves deeper into this theme of facade and superficiality, describing someone with a "hollow eye" who is pretending to be something they are not. The questions "what's pretending, is it right?" hint at the idea of authenticity and whether it's worth sacrificing it for the sake of appearances. The line "eye for order, a hand for what's in line" could suggest a desire for conformity, for fitting in with societal norms and expectations, even if it means compromising one's own uniqueness.

The chorus asks "what if we give it away?" which could be interpreted as a call to let go of these superficial trappings and focus on more meaningful things in life. The last stanza refers to a "trailer Tom" and a decision not to move, possibly hinting at the idea of staying put and not giving in to societal pressure to keep up appearances. The lines "take the order sew it on your tie we couldn't follow couldn't try" could suggest a difficulty in conforming and following the expected path.

Overall, the lyrics of "What It Is" encourage listeners to question the value of material possessions and societal norms, and consider the importance of authenticity and true fulfillment in life.