Manning also submitted keyboard work to artists such as Jet, Ringo Starr, Green Day, Angels & Airwaves, Diana Ross, Jamiroquai, Johnny Cash, Lisa Marie Presley, Morrissey, OPM and Sheryl Crow.
Roger lists his influences as keyboard-centric artists Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, Jean-Luc Ponty, Chick Corea, Frank Zappa, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Brian Eno and Roxy Music, Steely Dan, Mahavishnu Orchestra as well as punk rock and New Wave bands like Gang of Four, Thomas Dolby, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, Buzzcocks, Dead Kennedys, Talk Talk, The Damned, XTC, Tears for Fears, Suicidal Tendencies, Madness and Wall of Voodoo.
Biography by Andrew Leahey
In The Name Of Romance
Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How one’s life should read
Her tiny head filled
With high hopes and dreams
Mother dear you promised her
A place in the sun
A girl’s special day
There’s a charming prince
Down on one knee
Who swears he’ll be true
And a bloody diamond ring of glass
That he’s financed just for you
Well he’s got a car, some credit cards
Its love at first glance
And she does it all in the name of romance
How they’ll dance
Valentines and senior proms
Don’t kiss on first dates
An Ivy League school
Where you’ll meet your soul mate
Now Hollywood and magazines
Show me what to expect
I know your clock’s tickin’ girl
But where’s your self respect
Cuz when the church bells ring
The chaplain reads some words you ignore
Dressed in that gaudy gown, a hand-me-down
That your grandma so adored
Yeah the bridesmaids scream when flowers thrown
Oh we’d all love the chance
To break a heel
In the name of romance
Off to France
Queen of Wall St. showed the boys
She could spit with the best
But you’re not a woman ‘til you’ve played God
A coupl’a kids and mom and dad would be impressed
(mom and dad will be so impressed)
So its off to night school one more time to pass their test
(don’t cha know I’ll pass their test)
Adoption’s not an option
I need physical proof that they’re mine
(Hey don’t just stand around lookin’ gorgeous)
Hurry I’m in my prime
(We’re in this together, so much pressure...)
We’re only talkin’ ‘bout my life
So give me what’s rightly mine
Always the bridesmaid never once the bride
(So get back in line)
Now those wedding vows that you recite
Well don’t speak too soon
You naughty bachelorette, now when in Rome
Another pointless honeymoon
Well you force a tear as daddy dear
Gives away baby’s hand
A heart attack is faked
A big mistake, romance
You live to make a scene
The drama queen, romance
She’ll probably kill herself
All in the name of romance
The song "In the Name of Romance" by Roger Joseph Manning Jr. is a satirical and cynical look at the societal expectations surrounding romance, marriage, and family. Manning Jr. addresses the pressures placed on women to fulfill certain roles, such as finding the perfect partner, having children, and creating a picture-perfect life, even if it means compromising their own desires and sense of self. The lyrics speak to the idea that these expectations are often unrealistic and damaging, causing individuals to lose sight of what they truly want in life.
The first verse speaks to the idea of a fairy tale, where one's life is supposed to follow a certain narrative of finding the perfect partner, having a perfect wedding, and living happily ever after. However, Manning Jr. points out that in reality, these expectations can be burdensome and cause individuals to sacrifice their own goals and dreams.
The second verse touches on the pressure to conform to societal norms, such as waiting to kiss on the first date, attending a prestigious university, and finding the perfect job. Manning Jr. suggests that these expectations can be damaging, leading to a loss of self-respect and a disregard for personal desires.
Overall, "In the Name of Romance" critiques the idea that one's worth is tied to fulfilling societal expectations, especially when it comes to romance, marriage, and family.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell her a fairy tale
Encourage her to believe in a wonderful life by telling her a fairy tale
How one’s life should read
How a perfect life should be according to a fairy tale
Her tiny head filled
Her mind is full of dreams and aspirations
With high hopes and dreams
With ambitions and expectations for a bright future
Mother dear you promised her
You assured her, dear mother
A place in the sun
A happy and successful life
A girl’s special day
Her wedding day
Where she’s the only one
Where she is the center of attention
There’s a charming prince
There is a man who seems to be perfect
Down on one knee
Kneeling before her as a sign of love and commitment
Who swears he’ll be true
Who promises to be faithful
And a bloody diamond ring of glass
A fake diamond ring that he cannot afford
That he’s financed just for you
That he has made sacrifices just to be able to buy for you
Well he’s got a car, some credit cards
He has some material possessions
Its love at first glance
It seems like love at first sight
And she does it all in the name of romance
She does everything for the idea of romantic love
How they’ll dance
How they will romantically dance together
Valentines and senior proms
Traditional romantic events for teenagers
Don’t kiss on first dates
Do not be too hasty with physical affection
An Ivy League school
A prestigious university
Where you’ll meet your soul mate
Where you will meet the person you are meant to be with
Now Hollywood and magazines
Popular media sources
Show me what to expect
Setting expectations based on media influences
I know your clock’s tickin’ girl
Acknowledging the pressure to get married and start a family before time runs out
But where’s your self respect
Questioning the motivation behind the desire to get married
Cuz when the church bells ring
On her wedding day
The chaplain reads some words you ignore
Ignoring the meaning of the wedding vows
Dressed in that gaudy gown, a hand-me-down
Wearing a dress passed down from someone else
That your grandma so adored
That was loved by her grandmother
Yeah the bridesmaids scream when flowers thrown
The bridesmaids react with excitement when throwing the bouquet
Oh we’d all love the chance
Everyone is excited to participate in the wedding rituals
To break a heel
To accidentally break a high-heeled shoe
In the name of romance
As a result of the desire for romantic love
Off to France
Going on a romantic honeymoon to France
Queen of Wall St. showed the boys
She proved herself to the men in her industry
She could spit with the best
She was able to keep up and compete with the men
But you’re not a woman ‘til you’ve played God
Implying that a woman is only considered successful after having children
A coupl’a kids and mom and dad would be impressed
Parents would be proud of her accomplishment of having children
(mom and dad will be so impressed)
Stating this sarcastically
So its off to night school one more time to pass their test
Going back to school to obtain a degree
(don’t cha know I’ll pass their test)
Expressing confidence to be successful
Adoption’s not an option
Not considering adoption as an alternative to pregnancy
I need physical proof that they’re mine
Desires biological children as proof of motherhood
(Hey don’t just stand around lookin’ gorgeous)
Addressing someone who is not helping
Hurry I’m in my prime
Urgency to have children before it is too late
(We’re in this together, so much pressure...)
Feeling overwhelmed by the situation
We’re only talkin’ ‘bout my life
Just talking about her own life and not anyone else's
So give me what’s rightly mine
Asks for what is owed to her
Always the bridesmaid never once the bride
Never a bride, always a part of someone else's wedding
(So get back in line)
Telling someone to go back to waiting for their turn to get married
Now those wedding vows that you recite
The promises made during the wedding ceremony
Well don’t speak too soon
Do not make promises lightly or without thought
You naughty bachelorette, now when in Rome
Enjoying herself while away from home and unmarried
Another pointless honeymoon
Going on another unfulfilling honeymoon
Well you force a tear as daddy dear
Crying out of obligation or expectation
Gives away baby’s hand
Giving away the daughter in marriage
A heart attack is faked
Faking an emotional response
A big mistake, romance
Romantic love is a deception and can lead to disappointment
You live to make a scene
Seeking attention and drama in every situation
The drama queen, romance
Romantic love can be filled with drama and chaos
She’ll probably kill herself
Suggesting that the obsession with romantic love can be dangerous
All in the name of romance
Doing something for the sake of romantic love even if it is harmful or dangerous
Contributed by Elijah H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.