Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics

In Ella Fitzgerald's song "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," the lyrics draw on imagery and metaphors to describe the precarious balance of love and life. The first verse begins with "Say, it's only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea," which indicates that the love the singer is referring to may seem flimsy or unreal, but goes on to say, "but it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me." In other words, even though the love may seem like a makeshift fabrication, it can become more tangible and true through belief and trust.

The second verse then uses similar poetic language with "yes, it's only a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree," which suggests that their dreams and aspirations may seem distant and unattainable. However, the lyrics continue to emphasize the power of belief and the importance of the love that they share. The repeated phrase "it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me" expresses the idea that love can create its own reality and allows for the possibility of overcoming even the greatest obstacles.

The chorus further highlights the significance of that love, stating that without it life would be a "honky-tonk parade" or a "melody played in a penny arcade," emphasizing how love is what adds meaning and purpose to life. The final verse ties all the themes of the song together, imagining a "Barnum and Bailey world," which is "just as phony as it can be." Yet, despite the superficiality of the world, love still has the potential to make it real, and make it an authentic and meaningful truth.