Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
It's Only A Paper Moon
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sailin' over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
It's only a canvas sky
Hangin' 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 phoney as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me
Believe in me
Come, see about me
Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
And without your love
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Got to be a Barnum world
Just as phoney as it can be
But it'll never be make-believe
If you believe in me
If you believe in me
If you believe in me
If you believe in me
The song "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Bobby Darin is a metaphorical exploration of the power of belief and imagination in love. The opening lyrics "It's only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea" convey the idea that the world and our perceptions of it can be just as fragile and temporary as the titular moon made of paper. However, the line "But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me" suggests that through belief in each other and the power of love, the seemingly fake world around them can become real and meaningful.
The next verse continues with the imagery of a fake sky and tree, but again emphasizes the power of belief and faith in each other to make the impossible seem possible. The subsequent lines "Without your love, it's a honky-tonk parade" and "It's a melody played in a penny arcade" depict the mundane and meaningless world that exists without the beauty and love that the singer feels from their partner. The final verse brings the metaphor full circle by describing the entire world as a "Barnum and Bailey world", one that is fake and phony. However, the chorus concludes with the message that if both partners believe in each other, the love they share can make their world real and meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
It's only a paper moon
The moon is made of paper and is fragile, but just like love, it is still beautiful and worth believing in.
Sailin' over a cardboard sea
The sea is made of cardboard, which is flimsy and thin. However, the voyage is still a journey worth taking, even when the dangers are not real.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
The world they are presenting might not be real, but the love they share and feel with each other is genuine and authentic.
If you believed in me
If you have faith in me and what we share, then our love story could become real, despite it being an illusion in the eyes of others.
It's only a canvas sky
The sky in the painting is made of canvas which represents a portrayal of one's thoughts and imagination, and is not a true scenery, but it looks real when we stare at it.
Hangin' over a muslin tree
The tree is made of muslin which is a cheap and light fabric, but its charm and significance are still prevalent to those who choose to see it.
Without your love
If I don't have the affection and devotion from the person that I love, then everything would be meaningless, dull, and unfulfilling.
It's a honky-tonk parade
Life without love is like a pointless party where everyone is just faking their excitement and eagerness without a solid reason to celebrate.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Without love, my life is like music coming from a coin-operated machine in an amusement park, lacking in sincerity and substance.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world can be like a circus act, with everything being dramatized and hyped up for entertainment, but true love can keep us grounded and be our anchor amidst the chaos.
Just as phoney as it can be
The world can seem superficial or disingenuous, full of illusions and showbiz, but the love between two people can be the only genuine thing that lasts.
But it'll never be make-believe
If you truly believe in me and our love for each other, then this world could never feel like an illusion or a fantasy, because our love story transcends reality.
If you believe in me
All that matters to me is that you have faith in me, and that we can face whatever comes our way as long as we have each other.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.