Susanne Sundfør began her rise to fame in her homeland in 2005. That year she toured the country opening for English singer/songwriter Tom McRae, and in 2006 she joined Madrugada on tour, performing their song "Lift Me," a duet the band originally recorded in the studio with singer Ane Brun. Late in 2006, she digitally released her debut single, "Walls," which would climb to number three on the Norwegian singles chart. It was the same position her debut self-titled album took on the album charts when it was released in 2007. The live effort Take One followed in 2008 -- the same year that her debut won the Spellemannprisen for Best Female Performance. Sundfør accepted the award with some hesitation, stating her work represented her as an artist first, and a woman second, bringing into question whether the Norwegian Grammy board was acting archaically with such gender-specific awards. Two years later, her album The Brothel would climb to the top of the Norwegian album charts thanks in part to the success of its title track. Jazz keyboardist Christian Wallumrød and members of Jaga Jazzist appeared on her 2011 effort, the all-instrumental A Night at Salle Pleyel. In 2012 she released the single "White Foxes" along with the album The Silicone Veil. She ended the year collaborating with Morten Myklebust on the track "Away," along with electronica duo Röyksopp on their single "Running to the Sea."
In 2013, Sundfør collaborated with French electronic band M83 on the Oblivion soundtrack, and later that year her back catalog was released in the U.K. for the first time. She went on to make her production debut for Bow's Each Other record. By 2014 she was set to release her fifth studio album, which was preceded by the single "Fade Away." Ten Love Songs went on to become a commercial and critical success for Sundfør upon its release in 2015, and saw the record appear in many year-end "best-of" lists. Following that record's release, she spent time traveling the world, and her follow-up record reflected the different environments and politics she encountered, along with the anxiety felt by many due to an ever-changing world. Music for People in Trouble was released in 2017, with the track "Undercover" as the lead single. The ten-track record also featured a guest appearance from John Grant on its last song, "Mountaineers." In 2019 Sundfør issued the accompanying concert LP People in Trouble: Live from the Barbican, which was recorded in London the year prior. ~ David Jeffries, Rovi
Rome
Susanne Sundfør Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where no one will ever find me, find me
Mayday, mayday!
Death needs a surgeon
Undress me and lighten my burden
Oh, I'm still waiting for you,
I'm still waiting for you to come back
I'm still waiting for you to come back
From Rome, Rome, Rome
From the ashes of Rome
From the ashes of Rome, come back
Bring the children home, you know we are all alone
You know we are all alone in a flooded dome
I don't want to fear, I don't want to fear
I don't wanna know that the end is near
Tell me it's over, tell me it won't linger
Bend me over and separate my fingers
Oh, I'm still waiting for you,
I'm still waiting for you to come back
Oh, I'm still waiting for you,
I'm still waiting for you to come back
From Rome, Rome, Rome
From the ashes of Rome
From the ashes of Rome, come back
Bring the children home, you know we are all alone
You know we are all alone in a flooded dome
(Winter is coming, winter is coming, winter is coming
We will know that it was friendly fire, friendly fire
Jesus was a liar)
Tell it like it is, tell me slowly
Tell it like it is, like a true story
Tell it like it is, the king is dead, he's gone
Let the __ flow, let the locusts follow
Open the gates, evaporate
Black bodies
Black hollows
Don't let anyone enter
The lyrics of Susanne Sundfør's song "Rome" explore themes of fear and longing in the face of impending destruction. The opening lines convey a desire to avoid drowning, both literally and metaphorically, in a sea where one is lost and unreachable. The repeated refrain of "I'm still waiting for you to come back" adds to the sense of longing and hints at a sense of abandonment or betrayal. The imagery of Rome and its ashes suggest a historical reference to a fallen empire, but may also represent a metaphorical collapse of societal structures or personal relationships. The line "bring the children home, you know we are all alone in a flooded dome" further emphasizes the feeling of isolation and vulnerability in the face of an overwhelming catastrophe.
The lyrics also contain references to violence and pain, with the line "death needs a surgeon" speaking to the idea of the inevitable end and the desire to ease that pain. The following lines of "undress me and lighten my burden" suggest a physical intimacy that may represent a desire for emotional vulnerability and release from the weight of fear and anxiety.
Overall, the lyrics of "Rome" are poetic and mysterious, with a sense of foreboding and uncertainty woven throughout. The themes of loss, fear, and longing are woven together through vivid imagery and haunting repetition.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to dive, dive into the sea
I don't want to be swallowed or absorbed by my problems or emotions
Where no one will ever find me, find me
Where I cannot be reached or rescued by anyone
Mayday, mayday!
A distress signal requesting immediate help
Death needs a surgeon
I need help to overcome my pain or sorrow before it consumes me
Undress me and lighten my burden
Help me remove my emotional baggage or struggles in order to feel lighter and free
Oh, I'm still waiting for you,
I am still anticipating or hoping for your return or help
From Rome, Rome, Rome
From the past or history of empires such as Rome
From the ashes of Rome
From the ruins or aftermath of a once-great civilization or society
Bring the children home, you know we are all alone
Restore a sense of community and belonging among people, especially the vulnerable or innocent
You know we are all alone in a flooded dome
We are isolated and helpless in a dangerous or challenging situation
I don't want to fear, I don't want to fear
I don't want to be afraid or intimidated by my surroundings or circumstances
I don't wanna know that the end is near
I don't want to accept or face the possibility of a negative or final outcome or consequence
Tell me it's over, tell me it won't linger
Give me closure or reassurance that my problems or struggles will not last forever
Bend me over and separate my fingers
I am willing to endure pain or discomfort in order to overcome my challenges or struggles
Winter is coming, winter is coming, winter is coming
A warning or reminder that a difficult or challenging time is approaching
We will know that it was friendly fire, friendly fire
We will realize that our mistakes or actions caused harm or damage to ourselves or others
Jesus was a liar
A statement of doubt or criticism towards religion or spirituality
Tell it like it is, tell me slowly
Be honest and direct with me, but also give me time to process and understand
Tell it like it is, like a true story
Tell me the truth, without sugarcoating or manipulating the facts
Tell it like it is, the king is dead, he's gone
Accept the harsh reality or consequence of a situation, such as the loss of power or authority
Let the __ flow, let the locusts follow
Allow the negative or destructive forces to run their course and cause chaos or damage
Open the gates, evaporate
Let go of control or resistance and allow things to unfold naturally
Black bodies
A reference to the discrimination and oppression of black people in society
Black hollows
A metaphor for the emptiness or despair caused by such discrimination and oppression
Don't let anyone enter
Protect yourself and your boundaries from people who may cause harm or distress
Contributed by Grayson T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@navytoad8152
LYRICS:
I don't want to dive, dive into the sea
Where no one will ever find me, find me
Mayday, mayday!
Death needs a surgeon
Undress me and lighten my burden
Oh, I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you to come back
Oh, I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you to come back
From Rome, Rome, Rome
From the ashes of Rome
From the ashes of Rome, come back
Bring the children home, you know we are all alone
You know we are all alone in a flooded dome
I don't want to fear, I don't want to fear
I don't wanna know that the end is near
Tell me it's over, tell me it won't linger
Bend me over and separate my fingers
Oh, I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you to come back
Oh, I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you to come back
From Rome, Rome, Rome
From the ashes of Rome
From the ashes of Rome, come back
Bring the children home, you know we are all alone
You know we are all alone in a flooded dome
(Winter is coming, winter is coming, winter is coming
We will know that it was friendly fire, friendly fire
Jesus was a liar)
Tell it like it is, tell me slowly
Tell it like it is, like a true story
Tell it like it is, the king is dead, he's gone
Let the gasoline flow, let the locusts follow
Open the gates, evaporate
Black bodies
Black hollows
Don't let anyone enter
@Ja-uu9ep
This is the song that you have to give a chance cos when you hear it all the way through its amazing
@einatmaler
couldn't agree more
@rexk4208
One of the songs that make my hair stand on end.
@davidcopperfield7303
@@einatmaler can someone explain what she meant by 'it was a friendly fire, Jesus was a liar' ?!
@francotenorio730
How did I miss this tune for years
@navytoad8152
LYRICS:
I don't want to dive, dive into the sea
Where no one will ever find me, find me
Mayday, mayday!
Death needs a surgeon
Undress me and lighten my burden
Oh, I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you to come back
Oh, I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you to come back
From Rome, Rome, Rome
From the ashes of Rome
From the ashes of Rome, come back
Bring the children home, you know we are all alone
You know we are all alone in a flooded dome
I don't want to fear, I don't want to fear
I don't wanna know that the end is near
Tell me it's over, tell me it won't linger
Bend me over and separate my fingers
Oh, I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you to come back
Oh, I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you to come back
From Rome, Rome, Rome
From the ashes of Rome
From the ashes of Rome, come back
Bring the children home, you know we are all alone
You know we are all alone in a flooded dome
(Winter is coming, winter is coming, winter is coming
We will know that it was friendly fire, friendly fire
Jesus was a liar)
Tell it like it is, tell me slowly
Tell it like it is, like a true story
Tell it like it is, the king is dead, he's gone
Let the gasoline flow, let the locusts follow
Open the gates, evaporate
Black bodies
Black hollows
Don't let anyone enter
@gelanasky4302
Pretty <3
@driftlikeacloud
Finally
@patrykadosz9964
OMG!
@Fabio1349
Are you even fucking kidding me this is awesome, and trust this is not my genre AT ALL.