Born in Montreal, Canada, Peterson began learning trumpet and piano from his father at the age of five, but by the age of seven, after a bout of tuberculosis, he concentrated on the piano. Some of the artists who influenced Peterson during the early years were Teddy Wilson, Nat "King" Cole, James P. Johnson, and the legendary Art Tatum, to whom many have tried to compare Peterson in later years. In fact, one of his first exposures to the musical talents of Art Tatum came early in his teen years when his father played an Art Tatum record to him and Peterson was so intimidated by what he heard that he didn't touch the piano for over a week.
He soon developed a reputation as a technically brilliant and melodically inventive jazz pianist, and became a regular on Canadian radio. His United States introduction was at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1949 by Norman Granz; owing to union restrictions his appearance could not be billed.
Some of his musical associates have included Lester Young, Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Herb Ellis, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Count Basie, and Stan Getz. An important step in his career was joining impresario Norman Granz's labels (especially Verve records) and Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic package, with which he was able to play with the major jazz artists of the time. Granz was also his manager for most of Peterson's career. Some cognoscenti assert that Peterson's best recordings were made for the MPS label in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies. For some years subsequently he recorded for Granz's Pablo Records after the label was founded in 1973 and in more recent years for the Telarc label.
In 1993, Peterson suffered a serious stroke that weakened his left side and sidelined him for two years. However he overcame this setback and went back to touring, recording, and composing on a limited basis. In 1997 he received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award. He died on December 24th, 2007 of kidney failure.
A Fine Romance
Oscar Peterson 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" which was written by Dorothy Fields for the musical "Swing Time" and popularized by jazz pianist Oscar Peterson is a humorous take on an unfulfilled romantic relationship. The singer starts by describing the romance as "fine" but then goes on to point out that there are no kisses, nestling or wrestling involved. Instead of being passionate, like "hot tomatoes," the relationship feels as cold as "yesterday's mashed potatoes." The lyrics also make a comparison between the singer's unemotional partner and a number of quiet creatures such as seals and orchids. The final verse suggests that the relationship is between two "old fogies" who need crutches and compares the singer's romantic chances to that of trying to land the Ile de France, which was a French ocean liner at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
A fine romance with no kisses
A romance that lacks physical intimacy
A fine romance, my friend, this is
An ironic statement about the lack of romance in the relationship
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes (to-mah-toes, dear)
We should be passionate lovers
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes (potatoes)
You are devoid of warmth and passion
A fine romance, you won't nestle
A romance lacking in physical affection
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle
A romance lacking excitement and passion
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants
You haven't shown a desire for physical affection
You never take a chance, this is a fine romance
You are risk-averse and unwilling to take chances in love
A fine romance, my good fellow
A sarcastic term of endearment
You take romance, I'll take Jello
You are indifferent to romance
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
You are unemotional and detached
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
Even animals express more passion and emotion than you do
A fine romance, my dear Duchess
A sarcastic term of endearment
Two old fogies, we really need crutches
We are old and set in our ways
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France! (Fronce)
You are difficult to win over
I haven't got a chonce (chance), this is a fine romance
There is no possibility of romance with you
A fine romance, my good woman
A sarcastic term of endearment
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman
A reference to an old and sturdy woman
You never give those orchids I send a glance
You are indifferent to my attempts at romance
They're just like cactus plants, (oh boy)
My attempts at romance are met with a prickly response
This is a fine romance!
A final statement of irony about the lack of romance in the relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind