A Fine Romance
Fred Astaire & Johnny Green & His 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!
The lyrics of "A Fine Romance" by Fred Astaire and Johnny Green & His Orchestra are playful yet bittersweet, as the singer laments the lack of physical affection and emotional connection in his relationship. The first verse sets the stage for the song, with the singer acknowledging that there is a certain charm to a romance without kisses but expressing a desire for more passion and warmth. The use of the phrase "hot tomatoes" implies a sense of energy and excitement, but the contrast with the reference to "yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes" suggests that the relationship has become stale and unfulfilling.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer expressing frustration that his partner won't engage in physical intimacy or even playful banter. The reference to the crease in his pants and taking chances highlights the lack of spontaneity and risk-taking in the relationship. However, despite these concerns, the chorus of the song maintains a sense of irony and humor, with the repeated refrain that this is a "fine romance" implying a resigned acceptance of the situation.
Overall, "A Fine Romance" is a clever and wistful commentary on the challenges and disappointments of love, with its playful lyrics and upbeat melody masking a deeper sense of longing and dissatisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
A fine romance with no kisses
Our relationship has no passion or intimacy
A fine romance, my friend, this is
We may not be physically close, but we are still friends
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes (to-mah-toes, dear)
We should be passionate and exciting
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes (potatoes)
You are not interested in me and our relationship is bland
A fine romance, you won't nestle
You won't cuddle or be physically close to me
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle
You won't engage in playful physical contact with me
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants
You've never been close enough to me to accidentally wrinkle my pants
You never take a chance, this is a fine romance
You are not willing to take risks or put effort into our relationship
A fine romance, my good fellow
Our relationship is civil and friendly
You take romance, I'll take Jello
You are not interested in romance, while I am
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
You are unemotional and distant
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
Even animals are more expressive than you
A fine romance, my dear Duchess
Our relationship feels old-fashioned and proper
Two old fogies, we really need crutches
We are both old-fashioned and set in our ways
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France! (Fronce)
You are difficult to win over and make progress with
I haven't got a chonce (chance), this is a fine romance
Our relationship isn't going anywhere, but I'm still content with it
A fine romance, my good woman
Our relationship feels respectful and proper
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman
You are experienced and wise
You never give those orchids I send a glance
You do not appreciate or acknowledge the affectionate gestures I make
They're just like cactus plants, (oh boy)
My affectionate gestures are unappreciated and unwanted
This is a fine romance!
Our relationship continues, even though it lacks passion or effort
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
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.