Romance
Marty Gold & 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 to Marty Gold & His Orchestra's song "Romance in 2-3" depict a story of unrequited love or a failed romance. The song's title is a play on the rhythm of the music, which is in the 2-3 time signature. The singer is expressing their frustration at being in a "fine romance" with someone who doesn't reciprocate their feelings. They sing about wanting to be like "hot tomatoes" with their partner, but instead feel as though they're with someone who is as "cold as yesterday's mashed potatoes."
The lyrics continue to express frustration with the lack of physical intimacy and emotion in the relationship. The singer describes their partner as never wanting to "nestle" or "even wrestle," and as being "calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean." They also describe their partner as being hard to land, like the Ile de France, and as never giving their gifts a second look.
Overall, the lyrics of "Romance in 2-3" are tongue-in-cheek and humorous, but they also convey a sense of sadness and longing for a more fulfilling relationship. The song was originally written in 1934 by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields and has since been covered by numerous artists.
Line by Line Meaning
A fine romance with no kisses
Our relationship is like a romance without any physical intimacy
A fine romance, my friend, this is
Despite our lack of romantic chemistry, we still consider this a fine romance
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes (to-mah-toes, dear)
We should be passionate and head over heels for each other
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes (potatoes)
But instead, you are distant and uninvolved in our relationship
A fine romance, you won't nestle
Despite my attempts, you refuse to get close to me
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle
You won't even engage in playful physical activity with me
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants
You've never shown me any physical affection or even playfulness
You never take a chance, this is a fine romance
You are afraid to take any risks in our relationship, even if it means not progressing
A fine romance, my good fellow
Our relationship is a fine example of a romance between two people who don't share any physical chemistry
You take romance, I'll take Jello
You can keep your romantic pursuits, while I focus on something more tangible or easy to obtain
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
You are extremely calm and unemotional
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
Even animals are capable of expressing more emotion than you
A fine romance, my dear Duchess
Our relationship is a fine example of a romance between two people who are out of touch with each other
Two old fogies, we really need crutches
We are both old and set in our ways, struggling to keep up with each other
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France! (Fronce)
You are just as difficult to win over or get close to as a notoriously hard-to-reach location
I haven't got a chonce (chance), this is a fine romance
I don't have much hope for our relationship, but at least we have each other
A fine romance, my good woman
Despite our differences, we try to make the best of our relationship
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman
Despite your age and experience, our relationship still lacks passion
You never give those orchids I send a glance
You never appreciate the romantic gestures I make, such as sending you flowers
They're just like cactus plants, (oh boy)
My gifts and expressions of love are as worthless and unwanted as cactus plants
This is a fine romance!
Despite all its flaws, our relationship is still something we hold dear and try to maintain
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind