A Fine Romance
Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra Lyrics


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A fine romance, with no kisses
A fine romance, my friend this is
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed potatoes
A fine romance, you won't nestle
A fine romance, you won't wrestle
I might as well play bridge
With my old maid aunt
I haven't got a chance
This is a fine romance

A fine romance, my good fellow
You take romance, I'll take jello
You're calmer than the seals
In the Arctic Ocean
At least they flap their fins
To express emotion
A fine romance with no quarrels
With no insults and all morals
I've never mussed the crease
In your blue serge pants




I never get the chance
This is a fine romance

Overall Meaning

In Billie Holiday's song "A Fine Romance," the lyrics describe a romantic relationship that lacks passion and excitement, despite its potential. The first two lines set the tone for the entire song - this is a "fine" romance that's lacking in certain areas, particularly physical affection. The next line, "We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes," suggests the singer's desire for a passionate relationship. However, the following line - "But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed potatoes" - reveals that her partner is not reciprocating this desire.


The rest of the song elaborates on this theme through a series of clever wordplays and metaphors. "A fine romance, you won't nestle / A fine romance, you won't wrestle" indicates a lack of physical intimacy, while "You take romance, I'll take jello / You're calmer than the seals / In the Arctic Ocean" suggests a lack of emotional intensity. The final lines - "I've never mussed the crease / In your blue serge pants / I never get the chance / This is a fine romance" - emphasize the singer's frustration and lack of satisfaction in the relationship.


Overall, "A Fine Romance" is a witty and poignant commentary on the often disappointing reality of relationships, particularly those that don't live up to their initial promise.


Line by Line Meaning

A fine romance, with no kisses
This relationship is supposed to be wonderful, but there's no special affection or passion between us.


A fine romance, my friend this is
Even though there's no intimacy, we're still pretending like everything is perfect between us, which is not true.


We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes
We should be passionate, hot and expressive in this relationship, but we're too cold and boring for that.


But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed potatoes
You're unemotional, distant and uninterested in anything related to emotions, love and relationship.


A fine romance, you won't nestle
You don't like to cuddle or get close to me, even when we're supposed to be romantic and intimate.


A fine romance, you won't wrestle
You don't like to play or engage in any physical activities that could lead to intimacy.


I might as well play bridge
I might as well do something else besides trying to have a romantic relationship with you since you're not interested in it.


With my old maid aunt
I might as well play bridge with my old maid aunt who is more affectionate and emotional than you.


I haven't got a chance
I have no chance of making this relationship work, even though I keep pretending and hoping that it will.


A fine romance, my good fellow
This relationship could've been amazing, but instead, it's just average and fine at best.


You take romance, I'll take jello
You don't care about romance, feelings or emotions, so you might as well enjoy something superficial like jello instead.


You're calmer than the seals
You're emotionless and calm, just like seals in the Arctic Ocean.


In the Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is a metaphor for your heart, which is cold and unresponsive.


At least they flap their fins
Seals might be emotionless, but at least they express themselves through physical movements, unlike you.


To express emotion
Physical movements can be used to express emotions, but you choose not to do so.


A fine romance with no quarrels
The only positive aspect of this relationship is that there are no fights or arguments, but that's not enough to make it great.


With no insults and all morals
We're both decent people who don't insult or disrespect each other, but that doesn't automatically make us compatible.


I've never mussed the crease
I've never had the chance to disrupt or mess up anything in your life, let alone your heart or emotions.


In your blue serge pants
This is a metaphor for your heart, which is protected by a tough exterior and impenetrable defenses.


I never get the chance
I never get the chance to see the real you or to experience anything meaningful with you because you refuse to open up or be vulnerable.


This is a fine romance
Overall, this relationship is average and fine, but it's not enough to fulfill my emotional needs or to make me truly happy.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: JEROME KERN, DOROTHY FIELDS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Alan Taylor

Sensational voice then a solo by Artie Shaw on clarinet.................beyond magnificent!!

Eylem Dal Solberg

Great voice!

Daniel Ingram

Lady Day always gives me goosebumps.

Stupid Hat

I cannot pick a favorite but I probably sing along with this more than any other of her songs ;-)

Cookie Monster

Love this 🥰💕🥰

mariobro1993

I fucking love The Lady.

Leila Selo

You are Best . I love all my moments with you . 😇🥰

B.Arturo M.

Very Kool.

Guillermo Julio Doghel

Ishould like to see Billie video.

Christophe CROLET

Bunny berigan trumpet

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