Young began as a concert violinist but moved into the popular music sphere when he joined Ted Fiorito's orchestra. In the mid '30s he moved to Hollywood where he concentrated on film work as well as making a large number of recordings of light music and providing the backing for popular singers including Bing Crosby.
His composer credits include "When I Fall In Love," "Blue Star (The 'Medic' Theme)," "Sweet Sue", "Can't We Talk It Over", "Street Of Dreams", "Love Letters", "My Foolish Heart", "Stella By Starlight", and "I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You".
He received 22 Academy Award nominations for his work in film, twice being nominated 4 times in a single year, but did not win during his lifetime. He received his only Oscar posthumously, for his score of Around the World in Eighty Days (1956). His other scores include Golden Boy (1939), For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943), Love Letters (1945), Samson and Delilah (1949), The Quiet Man (1952), Scaramouche (1952), and Shane (1953).
Victor Young died in Palm Springs, California at age 57 following a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke.
(Source : Wikipedia)
A Fine Romance
Victor Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 Victor Young's "A Fine Romance" are a witty and sarcastic take on a relationship that is lacking in affection and intimacy. The singer describes a love that is not passionate and romantic but is rather reserved and mundane. The line "A fine romance with no kisses" sets the tone of the song, emphasizing an absence of physical affection. The phrase "hot tomatoes" is contrasted with "cold mashed potatoes," highlighting the lack of passion and excitement.
The singer continues to mock the relationship by stating that his partner never nestles or wrestles, and has never mussed the crease in his pants. The words "calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean" are used to describe his partner's lack of expression of emotion. The singer compares their love to that of "two old fogies" in need of crutches, making it clear that this is not a romance full of youthful vigor.
Line by Line Meaning
A fine romance with no kisses
This is supposed to be a good romantic relationship, but there is no physical intimacy.
A fine romance, my friend, this is
Despite the lack of physical intimacy, the relationship is still considered a good one.
We should be like a couple of hot tomatoes (to-mah-toes, dear)
The two people should be passionate and energetic together.
But you're as cold as yesterday's mashed po-tah-toes (potatoes)
Unfortunately, one person in the relationship is emotionally distant and unenthusiastic.
A fine romance, you won't nestle
The other person in the relationship won't even cuddle or get close.
A fine romance, you won't even wrestle
There is no passion or energy in the relationship, and the people do not even engage each other physically.
You've never mussed the crease in my blue serge pants
The relationship is not physical or playful, to the point where the singer is not even touched in a casual way.
You never take a chance, this is a fine romance
The other person in the relationship is not willing to take any risks or try new things, but the artist is still trying to make it work.
A fine romance, my good fellow
The artist is addressing the partner as a friend, not a romantic partner.
You take romance, I'll take Jello
The other person is not interested in love or romance at all, and would rather focus on something frivolous (Jello).
You're calmer than the seals in the Arctic Ocean
The other person is very emotionally cold and not expressive.
At least they flap their fins to express emotion
The seals are still more expressive than the other person in the relationship.
A fine romance, my dear Duchess
The singer is addressing the partner as a titled woman, which may indicate distance or formality in the relationship.
Two old fogies, we really need crutches
The two people are old and unexciting – even to the point where they need physical support (crutches).
You're just as hard to land as the Ile de France! (Fronce)
The other person is not interested in being won over or pursued, and is therefore as difficult to capture as a famous ship.
I haven't got a chonce (chance), this is a fine romance
Despite the lack of interest from the other person, the artist still considers this a good relationship.
A fine romance, my good woman
The artist is addressing the partner as a friend or colleague, not necessarily as a lover.
My strong, aged-in-the-wood woman
The partner is described as a sturdy, reliable, and old (like a piece of aged wood).
You never give those orchids I send a glance
Even romantic gifts and overtures go unnoticed or unappreciated by the other person.
They're just like cactus plants, (oh boy)
Romantic gestures are as dry and prickly as cactus plants, and are not welcomed with enthusiasm.
This is a fine romance!
Despite all of the challenges and drawbacks, the artist still considers the relationship a good one (perhaps because it is stable, consistent, or comfortable).
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: JEROME KERN, DOROTHY FIELDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind