Story Behind The Song

A friend of ours, when we mentioned that we had been to Nice, immediately expressed his delight in going for tea at the great hotel there along the oceanfront, the Negresco. I returned a week later to our Friday night musical haunt with this song for our friend.

Song Description

It is said that the English first discovered the delights of walking along the oceanfront at Nice, and so the pavilion that runs along the Mediterranean is called the Promenade des Anglais. At the western end of the Promenade is the Hotel Negresco, built by a wealthy Russian early in the 20th century. And the delight at being there in Nice is celebrated in this song.

Lyrics

I love this place; the Mediterranée is blue.
I've found a space along the beach to be with you.
I love this food; I'll have another crème brulée,
And we can stroll away the evening on
The Promenade des Anglais.

I'm in the south of France, I'm on the côte d'azur,
I'm in a painting by Matisse.
Taking tea at the Negresco,
On the Promenade at Nice.

I love these trains--the TGV the PLM;
I love to ride along the coast to look at them,
Those French girls with their skimpy little yellow thongs;
A little rendezvous, a little parlez-vous,
And I'm right where I belong.

I'm in the south of France, I'm on the côte d'azur,
I'm in a painting by Matisse.
Taking tea at the Negresco,
On the Promenade at Nice.

And in the evening, I love to see that tri-couleur,
That great French flag they fly above the dome's grandeur
I don't salute, but I sure thank my lucky stars
That I could live to see a bowl of ratatouille
And share it right here where you are.

I'm in the south of France, I'm on the côte d'azur,
I'm in a painting by Matisse.
Taking tea at the Negresco,
On the Promenade at Nice.

And if I never see the bridge at Giverny,
It won't disturb my inner peace;
I've taken tea at the Negresco
On the Promenade at Nice.