"[4] Rome played piano in local dance bands such as Eddie Wittstein's and was already writing music while studying architecture and law at Yale University.

[citation needed] In 1937, he made his Broadway debut as co-writer, composer, and lyricist of the topical revue Pins and Needles, which was originally written for a small theatrical production directed by Samuel Roland.

[clarification needed] The show was a huge success, running for 1108 performances, and prompted George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart to invite Rome to collaborate on another topical revue, Sing Out the News, in 1938.

[citation needed] During World War II, Rome wrote English lyrics to a tune composed by the Soviet Dmitri Shostakovitch.

[citation needed] Rome's music and/or lyrics can be heard in such films as Babes on Broadway (1941), Thousands Cheer (1943), Anchors Aweigh (1945), and Rear Window (1954).