A Fine Romance
Fred Astaire; Johnny Green Orchestra 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" by Fred Astaire, the song speaks of a potential romance without the intimacy and connection that comes with it. Through the lyrics, the song describes two individuals who never quite connect or have the chemistry necessary to form a proper romantic partnership. It’s suggested that one party involved is "calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean", and the other is just "as hard to land as the Ile de France". The song's lyrics playfully compare the potential relationship to hot tomatoes (to-mah-toes) but then proceeds to point out that the other person is as "cold as yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes (potatoes)".
The song ultimately pokes fun at the idea of romance, showing the unmet expectations that may come with it but also pokes fun at the singer's own attempts to capture the other's attention. This song has become a popular standard and has been covered by several artists in the years since its release. The catchy tune adds to the playfulness of the lyrics, making it a fun song to dance and sing along to.
Line by Line Meaning
A fine romance with no kisses
It's a romantic relationship without any physical intimacy
A fine romance, my friend, this is
This is a really good romantic relationship, my friend
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes (to-mah-toes, dear)
We should be passionate and lively like a couple of hot tomatoes
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes (potatoes)
But you're unemotional and unresponsive like yesterday's mashed potatoes
A fine romance, you won't nestle
It's a romantic relationship where you won't even snuggle
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle
It's a romantic relationship where you won't even playfully fight or wrestle
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants
You've never gotten me excited or flustered
You never take a chance, this is a fine romance
You never take risks or show any vulnerability in this romantic relationship
A fine romance, my good fellow
It's a great romantic relationship, my good friend
You take romance, I'll take Jello
You can have the romantic relationship, I'll take something less complicated and easier to handle like Jello
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
You're incredibly composed and seemingly emotionless like the seals in the Arctic Ocean
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
The seals in the Arctic Ocean can express their emotions by flapping their fins, unlike you
A fine romance, my dear Duchess
It's a fantastic romantic relationship, my dear Duchess
Two old fogies, we really need crutches
We're both old and senile and need crutches to walk
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France! (Fronce)
You're as difficult to catch or win over as the Ile de France
I haven't got a chonce (chance), this is a fine romance
I don't have a chance with you in this romantic relationship
A fine romance, my good woman
It's a wonderful romantic relationship, my good woman
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman
You're a strong and seasoned woman, with time and experience like aged wood
You never give those orchids I send a glance
You never pay any attention to the orchids I send you
They're just like cactus plants, (oh boy)
To you, they're like cacti; prickly and unappealing
This is a fine romance!
This is a great romantic relationship!
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JEROME KERN, DOROTHY FIELDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@modzer627
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.
You're just as hard to land as the ill de France.
I haven't got a chance, this is a fine romance.
emotions
A fine romance, my good woman.
My strong aged, in the woods woman.
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic ocean.
At least they flap their fins to express emotions.
A fine romance, with no quenches.
A fine romance, with no tension.
You never give the orchids I gave you a glance.
No, you like cactus plants.
This is a fine romance.
@onlythelonely93
I'm not one of those romantics or anything,but Fred always gets to me <3
@summerrosesutton3073
Too bad that kids of today don't get to see dancers such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and the CLASS they brought to their dancing. Was just wonderful to see both of them together, and also when they each had other dance partners as well.
@bigflop7117
i may not get to see them dance but i can at least listen to the good music that we had before auto-tune ruined it
@googlefan7409
Big Flop you can search up their movies online, they're just something that'll lighten up your life, Believe me .
@erselmcphee9269
I agree. My kids were raised on Fred and Ginger. I just recently introduced them to my greatgrands.
@triplethreat017
I wholly agree. We need class and talent back these days desperately. Fred and Ginger epitomize those words to a T. I'm 25 and only watch and listen to the classics and have been doing so for many years now. Younger people truly do not know what they are missing out on.
@Flooglizer
Nice to hear the Johnny Green band on this Jerome Kern classic, with clever lyrics by the woefully underrated Dorothy Fields...
@faithseidel1512
just love Fred Astaire ❤
@Kosh_Naranek.
what a lovely voice, classic crooner
@modzer627
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.
You're just as hard to land as the ill de France.
I haven't got a chance, this is a fine romance.
emotions
A fine romance, my good woman.
My strong aged, in the woods woman.
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic ocean.
At least they flap their fins to express emotions.
A fine romance, with no quenches.
A fine romance, with no tension.
You never give the orchids I gave you a glance.
No, you like cactus plants.
This is a fine romance.