A Fine Romance
Ella Fitzgerald with Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson and his Trio Lyrics
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A fine romance, my friend, this is
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes (to-mah-toes, dear)
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes (potatoes)
A fine romance, you won't nestle
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants
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, my dear Duchess
Two old fogies, we really need crutches
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France! (Fronce)
I haven't got a chonce (chance), this is a fine romance
A fine romance, my good woman
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman
You never give those orchids I send a glance
They're just like cactus plants, (oh boy)
This is a fine romance!
In "A Fine Romance", the singers Ella, Louis, and Oscar bemoan the lack of passion and excitement in their love lives. Despite the fact that they are ostensibly in a romance, they are not sharing kisses or engaging in physical touch. They compare their love to "hot tomatoes," implying that there should be a fiery passion between them, but instead, they feel as cold as "yesterday's mashed potatoes." Even when they are together, they do not engage in physical affection, as the man "won't nestle" or "even wrestle."
The singers then go on to compare their lack of passion to various animals and even plants. The man is described as being "calmer than seals in the Arctic Ocean" and not expressing emotion, even with his body (by flapping his fins). The woman is compared to a cactus plant, showing that she is unwilling to give the singer any affection, just like a cactus does not give any flowers or fruit.
Line by Line Meaning
A fine romance with no kisses
We have a romantic relationship without any physical affection.
A fine romance, my friend, this is
Despite the lack of physical intimacy, our relationship is still romantic and enjoyable.
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes (to-mah-toes, dear)
We should be passionate and fiery in our relationship.
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes (potatoes)
However, you seem disinterested and uninvolved in our relationship.
A fine romance, you won't nestle
You don't show any desire to cuddle or be physically close to me.
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle
You don't show any passion or desire to engage in any physical activity.
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants
You have never excited or aroused me to the point of messing up my clothing.
You never take a chance, this is a fine romance
You don't take any risks or show any spontaneity, which is a fine but unexciting romance.
A fine romance, my good fellow
An affectionate greeting to my male partner.
You take romance, I'll take Jello
You seem to be indifferent to romance, so I'll focus on enjoying something else instead.
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
You are incredibly calm and unemotional, even more so than a seal in their natural habitat.
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
Even the seals communicate their feelings through physical expressions, unlike you.
A fine romance, my dear Duchess
An affectionate greeting to my female partner.
Two old fogies, we really need crutches
We are both old and need physical support to remain standing or mobile.
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France! (Fronce)
You are as difficult to conquer or win over as a massive, influential French cruise liner.
I haven't got a chonce (chance), this is a fine romance
I don't have much of a shot at winning you over, but I am still content in our unexciting but fine romance.
A fine romance, my good woman
Another affectionate greeting to my female partner.
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman
You are a strong and mature woman like a fine, aged wood.
You never give those orchids I send a glance
You seem ungrateful or unimpressed with the flowers I give you as gifts.
They're just like cactus plants, (oh boy)
The flowers are just as unappreciated and uncherished as a prickly cactus plant.
This is a fine romance!
Overall, our relationship is fine and enjoyable despite the lack of passion or excitement.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind