It's Only A Paper Moon
Dick Hyman Lyrics

The song "It's Only A Paper Moon" by Dick Hyman captures the idea that reality isn't always what it seems. The lyrics create images of a fake world made of paper, canvas, and muslin, but the singer suggests that belief can transform these illusions into something real. The song opens with a comparison between a paper moon and a cardboard sea, highlighting the idea of a world that is not genuine. However, the singer asserts that this world could be made real through belief, particularly the belief of the person they are addressing. The second verse continues the metaphorical imagery, referencing a canvas sky and muslin tree. The singer's conviction that belief can make their illusions real is emphasized by the repetition of the line, "But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me."

The chorus of the song introduces the idea that without the person's love, life is nothing more than a "honky tonk parade" or a "melody played in a penny arcade." This language suggests that a life without love is shallow and lacking in meaning. The final verse of the song returns to the idea of a phony world, declaring that the world is nothing more than a "Barnum and Bailey world." However, the singer concludes that despite its phoniness, it wouldn't be make-believe if the person they address believed in them.

The lyrics to "It's Only A Paper Moon" suggest the transformative power of belief, particularly in the context of relationships. By urging the person they address to believe in them, the singer implies that this belief can make a profound impact on their lives. Overall, the song speaks to the idea that reality is subjective and that our beliefs shape our understanding of the world.