1) ROME is a Luxembourgish neofolk act founded in late 2005 as the main output for the songs of Jerome Reuter and was joined by co-producer Patrick Damiani as official member in early 2008. ROME signed to the Swedish label CMI in 2006 to release an EP titled "Berlin" (June 2006) and the albums "Nera" (November 2006), "Confessions d'un voleur d'ames" (April 2007), "Masse Mensch Material" (March 2008). In 2009 ROME got signed to the german label Trisol and released the EP "To Die Among Strangers" (May 2009) and the album "Flowers From Exile" (June 2009).
In their earlier work ROME mixes influences of Industrial and Neofolk with Experimental and Electronic Pop. The traditions of (French) Chanson and (American) Folk are becoming more and more influential in their current work. In 2009 violin player Nikos Mavridis officially joined the band to further contribute to the creation of their unique sound, which they themselves refer to as Chanson Noir. Nikos left the band in late 2010 to answer the army's call and Patrick found himself more and more tied up in the work for his own professional recording studio in Germany. ROME released the EP "L'assassin" in early 2010, shortly before going into hiatus, followed by the full length "Nos chants perdus". In 2011, Jerome, the project's only real flag-bearer, recorded and released the trilogy "Die Aesthetik Der Herrschaftsfreiheit" (Trisol) and has taken up touring again with his new band mates Patrick Kleinbauer, Eric Emmel and Tom Luciani. ROME's lyrics often deal with anarchism and are demanding freedom and equal rights for all people on earth.
Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/romeproject
2) Rome is a hip-hop mc and producer from Los Angeles, USA signed to Omar Cruz label BYI.
Released "Welcome to Rome" in 2008 and "My Demo" in June 16, 2009.
R.O.M.E.’s My Demo dropped June 16 via OnSmash and DJ Skee. Production from DJ Muggs, Cool & Dre, Tha Bizness and R.O.M.E. Myspace: http://myspace.com/rome
3) Rome was a smooth R&B singer, born Jerome Woods in Benton Harbor, MI, USA. Early on, he sang along with his mother's soul records (Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke) as well as in the local church choir. He joined an R&B cover band named Fire & Ice while in high school, and traveled around the region performing in local clubs and talent contests as a solo act and with the band. Woods dropped out of Alabama's Oakwood University in 1989 to pursue his dream on the West Coast, and toured with Vesta as a backing vocalist as well as appearing in industry showcases and cable-access programs.
Finally, he connected with producers Gerald Baillergeau and Victor Merrit, who sent his demo to RCA Records. The label signed him immediately, and he began working on his debut album in mid-1996. The self-titled LP appeared in April 1997 and soon ascended to number 30 on the album charts, earning gold certification. Thank You followed two years later. Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thebestofrome
4) Rome was a experimental dub-influenced band from Chicago, USA on Thrill Jockey that consists of Rik Shaw (Bass, Melodica), Elliot Dicks (Drums) and "Le Deuce" (Samples, Tapes). They have released one, self-titled album on Thrill Jockey records in 1996, consisting of seven songs culled from hours of improvisation, an EP with radically different mixes of two tracks not from the album, one of the tracks from the EP "Beware Soul Snatchers" appears in a further remix on the "Macro Dub Infection Volume 2" compilation.
5) Rome is the alter ego of Cape Verdian zouk singer John Monteiro.
6) Rome (full name Rome Ramirez) is a singer and guitarist who was chosen to become Sublime's new frontman on the basis that a fully-fledged reunion occurs. He has already fronted Sublime in "Yours Truly" their first album as "Sublime with Rome" in 2012 Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/romemusica http://www.last.fm/music/Sublime+with+Rome?ac=sublime%20wi
Ballots and Bullets
Rome Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When will you find the courage to join the good fight?
Some of you think we’re cruel and enraged
Some of you think that we’re blind to the wars you wage
Ballots and bullets cannot debate what we know
Ballots and bullets cannot deface the truth we hold
We see you never really cared for freedom and the rage
Must we lose all courage to gain some peace?
Must we lose all lust in times like these?
Ballots and bullets cannot replace what we’ve grown
Ballots and bullets cannot erase the lies you told
If we are ever to return
It will be in chains
If we are ever to overturn
It will be in vain
Ballots and bullets cannot debate what we know
Ballots and bullets cannot deface the truth we hold
Ballots and bullets cannot replace what we’ve grown
The lyrics of Rome's song "Ballots and Bullets" speak to the struggle for freedom and the sacrifices that have been made throughout history to achieve it. The first two lines of the song set the tone for the overarching theme, which is the unification of humanity. The idea of "one world, one federation" refers to the many different cultures and tribes that exist on this planet and the need for them to come together in pursuit of a common goal. The line that follows - "When will you find the courage to join the good fight?" - suggests that, despite the current state of disunity and division, there is still hope for a better future.
The second stanza suggests that some people don't fully understand the gravity of the current political climate, either because they see those who are fighting for change as "cruel and enraged" or because they are ignorant to the fact that wars are being waged all over the world. The pitting of "ballots" against "bullets" in these lines speaks to the idea that change can be achieved through either peaceful or violent means, but ultimately, the fight for justice and equality cannot be ignored.
In the final stanza, the song takes on a more somber tone. The line "If we are ever to return/It will be in chains" suggests that if humanity doesn't learn from its past mistakes, we will be doomed to repeat them. The final repetition of "ballots and bullets cannot" serves as a reminder that no matter how hard those in power try to control the narrative, the truth will always prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
One world, one federation, a million tribes
The world is comprised of diverse groups of people, but we should come together and be united for a common goal.
When will you find the courage to join the good fight?
We need people to stand up and fight for what is right, instead of remaining silent.
Some of you think we’re cruel and enraged
Some people criticize us for being too aggressive and angry in our fight for justice.
Some of you think that we’re blind to the wars you wage
Some people think we are ignorant to the conflicts and battles that are occurring around us.
Ballots and bullets cannot debate what we know
Neither political tactics nor violence can change what we already know to be true.
Ballots and bullets cannot deface the truth we hold
No amount of force or manipulation can change the truth that we stand for.
And now that you are so prudent and aged
Now that you are older and wiser, we realize that you were never really dedicated to the pursuit of freedom and justice.
We see you never really cared for freedom and the rage
We realize that you were never truly passionate about achieving freedom from oppression and injustice.
Must we lose all courage to gain some peace?
Do we have to abandon our fight for justice in order to achieve a sense of calm and tranquility?
Must we lose all lust in times like these?
Do we have to give up our passion and desire for change during these tumultuous times?
Ballots and bullets cannot replace what we’ve grown
Our experiences and growth cannot be replaced by political or violent tactics.
Ballots and bullets cannot erase the lies you told
Neither political nor violent actions can undo the lies and deceit that have been spread in the past.
If we are ever to return
It will be in chains
If we are ever to overturn
It will be in vain
If we allow ourselves to become complacent and revert back to our old ways, we will be enslaved once again. Similarly, if our fight for change does not result in real progress, it will be all for nothing.
Contributed by Leo G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.