A Fine Romance
Kern Fields Lyrics
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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
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
The song "A Fine Romance" by Kern Fields is a classic tune that explores the ups and downs of a romance that lacks intensity and passion. The lyrics suggest that the two lovers should be passionate like "a couple of hot tomatoes," but instead, one of them remains cold and uninterested, compared to "yesterday's mashed potatoes." The singer expresses their disappointment as they have no chance for a passionate romance. The lyrics also suggest the singer's frustration, as the person they're interested in won't cuddle or show any affection. The singer would rather play bridge with their old maid aunt than continue this loveless relationship.
The second verse continues to juxtapose the relationship to the calmness of the seals in the arctic ocean who at least express emotion by flapping their fins. The mood is ironic when the singer sings that their relationship has no quarrels, no insults, and is all about morals. However, the singer expresses that they have never had the opportunity to muss up the crease in their lover's blue serge pants, a metaphor for passion.
A Fine Romance was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields in 1936 for the film Swing Time, and it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The song became a standard and has been covered by numerous artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday. Interestingly, the song was also featured as the opening song in the popular comedy series, Frasier.
Line by Line Meaning
A fine romance, with no kisses
Our relationship is supposed to be romantic, but we haven't even shared a kiss.
A fine romance, my friend this is
Things are going well between us, but it's definitely not a romantic connection.
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes
We should be passionate and full of life like a pair of ripe, vibrant tomatoes.
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed potatoes
However, you're the opposite of passionate and your demeanor is as unappetizing as leftover mashed potatoes.
A fine romance, you won't nestle
I wish you were more affectionate and wanted to snuggle with me.
A fine romance, you won't wrestle
I want us to be playful with each other, but you don't seem interested.
I might as well play bridge
I could spend my time doing something more enjoyable and interactive than sitting here with you.
With my old maid aunt
Even spending time with an elderly relative who is uninterested in romance seems more worthwhile than being with you.
I haven't got a chance
I realize that we are not a good match and there's no chance of our relationship developing into something more serious.
A fine romance, my good fellow
Once again I describe our relationship as pleasant but not romantic.
You take romance, I'll take jello
You couldn't care less about romance and I'd be happy with something as simple as jello.
You're calmer than the seals
You don't get excited or express your emotions very much, much like the calmness of seals in the arctic ocean.
In the arctic ocean
A remote and frigid location known for being mostly uninhabitable and inhospitable, much like our relationship.
At least they flap their fins
At least seals exhibit some kind of physical expression, compared to your lack thereof.
To express emotion
They use physical gesture to convey emotions that you're not able to do.
A fine romance with no quarrels
Our relationship is pleasant and peaceful, but there's no spark or excitement.
With no insults and all morals
We respect each other and don't quarrel, but our relationship lacks the passion and intensity that accompanies romantic emotions.
I've never mussed the crease
I've never been close to you or intimate enough to have an impact on even your clothing.
In your blue serge pants
Your clothing is just another facet of your life that remains untouchable and impersonal to me.
I never get the chance
I never get the opportunity to come close to you or have any kind of physical contact.
This is a fine romance
This relationship is tepid, lacking in passion and intensity, and unlikely to develop into the kind of romance I desire.
Lyrics 漏 Universal Music Publishing Group, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: JEROME KERN, DOROTHY FIELDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith M
the drummer is the singer :^)