He was born in Hamburg, Germany, and studied at the School of Music there. A multi-instrumentalist, he was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own big band, toured with them, then worked as an arranger and producer, making hit records with Freddy Quinn and Ivo Robic. In 1961, he hired The Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Ain't She Sweet" and "Cry for a Shadow," in a session for Polydor. These turned out to be the Beatles' first commercial recordings. When Beatles manager Brian Epstein asked Kaempfert about further promoting The Beatles, Kaempfert informed Epstein that the company was only interested in The Beatles as Tony Sheridan's backup group. (It also turned out British Decca executive Dick Rowe turned them down in favor of local beat combo Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.) He then released The Beatles from their contract with Polydor.
It
Bert Kaempfert Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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-believeIf 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
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 song "It" was written in 1932 by Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg, and Billy Rose. It has since been performed by many artists, including Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald. Bert Kaempfert's version of the song, released in 1968, features a smooth jazz instrumental and the lyrics sung by a vocalist. The lyrics speak to the power of belief and imagination in making things seem real.
The first verse describes a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea, which is a metaphor for something that is not real. However, the singer insists that it could become real if the person listening to the song believed in them. The second verse similarly describes a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree. The imagery is intentionally false and fantastical, yet the singer insists that if the listener believed, it could be made real.
The chorus is a repetition of the idea that without love, everything is superficial and meaningless, represented by a honky-tonk parade or a penny arcade melody. The song ends with the singer wishing that the person they are singing to would believe in them, emphasizing that the power of belief can make even the most fake and phony things seem real.
Overall, "It" is a song that celebrates the power of belief and imagination. It encourages listeners to see beyond the surface and find meaning in their dreams and fantasies. The song's message is timeless, and its simple melody and lyrics make it a classic that has been loved for generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
The moon is just made from paper, and the sea from cardboard. But if you trusted in me, it wouldn't be fake. It would be real.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
The sky is made of canvas and the tree from muslin. But if you had faith in me, it wouldn't be imaginary. It would be true.
Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
If I didn't have your affection, life would feel empty and unfulfilling - like a low-budget parade or a repetitive song played in a cheap 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
The world can seem like a circus, full of fake things. But if you had trust in me, it wouldn't be just pretend. It would be genuine.
Say, it's only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
The moon is just made from paper, and the sea from cardboard. But if you trusted in me, it wouldn't be fake. It would be real.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
The sky is made of canvas and the tree from muslin. But if you had faith in me, it wouldn't be imaginary. It would be true.
Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
If I didn't have your affection, life would feel empty and unfulfilling - like a low-budget parade or a repetitive song played in a cheap 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
The world can seem like a circus, full of fake things. But if you had trust in me, it wouldn't be just pretend. It would be genuine.
It's phony it's plain to see
How happy I would be
If you believed in me
The world can seem like it's full of fake things - that's obvious. But if you trusted in me, we could be happy together.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MARCOSBENETOLI
Afrikaan Beat -
A Swingin Safari -
Black Beauty -
That Happy Feeling -
Games People Play -
Sweet Caroline -
Let Me Be There -
Never My Love -
I Love You How You Love Me -
To Know Him Is To Love Him -
Touch The Wind (Eres Tu) -
Spanish Eyes (Moon Over Naples) -
Auld Lang Syne -
Besame Mucho -
But Not Today -
Echo In The Night -
Magic Moments -
Moon Over Baja -
No A Go Go -
Only Those In Love -
Sentimental Journey -
She Lets Her Hair Down -
The Most Beautiful Girl -
Time To Love -
Yellow Bird -
Island In The Sun -
Red Roses For A Blue Lady -
Blue Midnight -
Feelings -
I Found My Love -
Ive Gotta Be Me -
Strangers In The Night -
The Way It Used To Be -
Fascination -
Love Me Tender -
My Prayer -
My Way -
Blue Moon -
Heres My Life -
Morgen -
Someone -
La Vie En Rose -
Wonderland By Night (Wunderland Bei Nacht) -
Baby Elephant Walk -
Happy Trumpeter -
Jump In The Line -
Put Your Hand In The Hand -
Tijuana Taxi -
Patricia -
Wimoweh -
@MARCOSBENETOLI
Afrikaan Beat -
A Swingin Safari -
Black Beauty -
That Happy Feeling -
Games People Play -
Sweet Caroline -
Let Me Be There -
Never My Love -
I Love You How You Love Me -
To Know Him Is To Love Him -
Touch The Wind (Eres Tu) -
Spanish Eyes (Moon Over Naples) -
Auld Lang Syne -
Besame Mucho -
But Not Today -
Echo In The Night -
Magic Moments -
Moon Over Baja -
No A Go Go -
Only Those In Love -
Sentimental Journey -
She Lets Her Hair Down -
The Most Beautiful Girl -
Time To Love -
Yellow Bird -
Island In The Sun -
Red Roses For A Blue Lady -
Blue Midnight -
Feelings -
I Found My Love -
Ive Gotta Be Me -
Strangers In The Night -
The Way It Used To Be -
Fascination -
Love Me Tender -
My Prayer -
My Way -
Blue Moon -
Heres My Life -
Morgen -
Someone -
La Vie En Rose -
Wonderland By Night (Wunderland Bei Nacht) -
Baby Elephant Walk -
Happy Trumpeter -
Jump In The Line -
Put Your Hand In The Hand -
Tijuana Taxi -
Patricia -
Wimoweh -
@wimbas1196
Mooi
@argentinapodesta7160
BELLISIMA. MUSICA ES. UN. PLACER. ESCUCHARLA. GRACIAS .GRACIAS . 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
@ec8787
Thank you for naming these wonderful songs. ❤️
@carolchoquette8858
My youth. The best of times. Thanks for the memories.
@serahkahuri3641
Bert's swinging safari brings back so many memories that i will treasure all my life.
@carlosbarraza8154
Muchísimas gracias por compartir música hermosa e intérpretes talentosos.
@josealvarado1220
Bonita música y sin comerciales fastidiosos, gracias y felicitaciones
@estebanescarez3226
Best definition of SMOOTH and wonderful orchestral music. Kudos Herr Kaemphert!
@carlofernatti9144
Thaks for sharing this beautiful music !