Image by Bertrand Avocat
North East R&B artist ROMM returns with another pop banger with her latest track, Home. Here, she tells us about the inspiration behind the track…
I wrote this song just before I moved out and embarked on a big solo trip — a long-overdue adventure to New Zealand that I had planned way before the pandemic. Two weeks away, and all I could think about was the loved ones in my life who had supported me over the past few years. I felt a mix of “get me out of here” and a sort of pre-emptive homesickness I was dreading.
I started to reflect on what makes someone feel at home. Is it where you are? Who you’re with? Where you’re from? I realised that friends, family, loved ones, or even people you’ve just met can give you a sense of security that makes you feel at home.
Musically, the structure and the chords are simple, yet emotionally resonant. Home is straightforward, much like some of the classic ballads from artists that have inspired me, like Alicia Keys and Norah Jones. There’s no hidden meaning to the song; what you see is what you get. It’s very transparent; I like to be completely honest in my music. Lyrically, the song is self-explanatory — it’s about how life can leave you feeling lost and uncertain at times but knowing you’ve always got people waiting for you at home, wherever that may be. This theme is mirrored in the lyrics, which repeatedly return to the word ‘Home’.
I listen to a wide range of music. My favourite kinds of ballads are ones that tell stories or have an underlying theme. During this time, I listened to Adrienne Lenker, Jasmine Jethwa, and Olivia Dean. My favourite lyrics from “HOME” are probably:
“It’s warm out and I can’t breathe, but you keep me steady, right on my feet, with you I can feel tall, there’s no chance I could fall”
Life gets overwhelming, but it’s the people around you that keep you grounded. They also make me feel like the best version of myself — not only as an individual but as an artist. Whenever I feel nervous before a gig, it’s my family, my partner, and my friends that keep me sane. I suppose the song is a testament to all the wonderful people in my life – they are my biggest inspiration.