It's Only A Paper Moon
Art Blakey & The Jazzmessengers Lyrics
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Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
It's phony it's plain to see
How happy I would be
If you believed in me
The lyrics of "It's Only a Paper Moon" can be interpreted in different ways, but the most common interpretation is that the song is about the power of imagination and the role it plays in relationships. The first two stanzas describe a world that is not real, a world of paper and canvas that wouldn't be convincing if one did not believe in it. However, the song argues, if two people believe in each other, they can create a meaningful world together, even if it is only imagined. The chorus highlights the importance of love in this process, as without it, the world is just a parade or a penny arcade, shallow and empty.
The third stanza brings in the idea that the world we live in is phony and fake, much like a Barnum and Bailey show. In contrast, the singer suggests that the world could be different if the lover believed in them. The final chorus reiterates the idea that the singer would be happier if the lover believed in them.
Overall, the song suggests that imagination and belief are key elements in creating meaningful relationships and finding happiness in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
This world is full of illusions and fantasies
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The world seems unique and charming, but it's just paper-thin
But it wouldn't be make-believe
The charm wouldn't disappear or fall apart
If you believed in me
If you trust me or accept my point of view
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The limit of human imagination and creativity is not enough to replicate the beauty of the sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
Though the tree is not real, the idea and purpose behind it are still viable and impressive
Without your love
My world would collapse without you
It's a honky-tonk parade
Everything would seem without any order or purpose
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Life would seem like a routine or something machine-made
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
It's a world full of circus and magic shows
Just as phony as it can be
It may seem false or unreal
It's phony it's plain to see
The falseness of this world is easy to identify
How happy I would be
I would be delighted and content
If you believed in me
If you had faith in me or trusted me
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rogergough2636
Difficult to find adequate words to describe how awe inspiring this rendition is. 5 masters on top form and killing what is probably the most imaginative reinterpretation of any tune from the great American song book ever. Still as new-paint fresh as the day it was laid down, the balance achieved here by Rudy Van Gelder - who else - is as near perfection as possible. Breathtaking all round.
@billding7073
Quite simply, a perfect arrangement (Wayne Shorter) to an awesome performance by both Art Blakey and Le Morgan. I bought this album right after I graduated from High School in 1960. It was the beginning of a lifelong passion for great music called jazz
@soulfunktionphotos5763
Absolute stonker of a tune which kicks ass all the way through. The guys are firing on all cylinders on this one, amazing sound.
@sohooded
Lee Morgan was amazing...Wayne, Art💖💖💖
@joancorr447
Lee Morgan, Art, Wayne, Billy with a brilliantly unique arrangement of a classic song.❤️
@Tubulous123
Yes!!! Thank you!!! 1Nation4Life <3 (y)!!!
@terrylack9365
I was fortunate enough to have met and listened to Art Blakey in NYC around 1979...
Art Blakey was Mr. Jazz in my eyes and ears.
If you want to know what real American jazz is, this is it.
What makes this great is his perfect time keeping with that cymbal... that cymbal is like anything I've ever heard. It has a wide dynamic range of 'colors' to it. It's unique among unique. And being unique among unique, only Blakey could have found a cymbal like that! -That's American jazz!
@Tubulous123
Yes!!!! Thank you!!!
@tigreadroit
Longtemps indicatif de l'émission " Pour ceux qui aiment le jazz" de Tenot et Filipachi,fin 1960 début 1961, après le célebre Blues March. L'apogée du Hard -Bop et/ou l'émergence du Jazz-Soul(ou funk?). Grande époque ; nostalgie quand tu nous tiens.
@dmcdgames2388
Why does this only have 11k views :/ very disappointing btw 16 year old jazz lover.