Grant was born in Idabel, Oklahoma. Though he would be known later for his keyboards and vocals, Grant also played trumpet and drums. Grant attended four music schools, eventually becoming a music teacher. He augmented his income by performing in clubs during his army service, throughout which he was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas. Grant signed with Decca Records in 1957 and his first single "The End" reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Ebb Tide, released in 1961, was his first album, which also rose to number 7 on the Billboard 200. The single "Ebb Tide" sold over one million copies, gaining gold disc status. He recorded five more singles that made the charts, including "Swingin' Gently" (from Beyond the Reef), and six additional albums (mostly on the Decca label) through 1968. He also recorded the album Yes Sirree and the instrumental album Trade Winds, single-tracked on the Hammond organ and piano, featuring the love theme from the film El Cid and Chaplin's "Eternally". This album featured some realistic sounding 'tropical bird calls' produced by his electric organ. "The House of Bamboo" was another big-selling single. In all, Grant recorded 30 albums for Decca.
Several of his albums featured tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson.
Grant also made a few appearances in film and television, including Tender Is the Night (1962), Juke Box Rhythm (1959), and The Ed Sullivan Show (1961).
He died instantly in a car accident in Lordsburg, New Mexico, at the age of 39 when the car he was driving ran off Interstate 10. He was driving from Los Angeles to an intended destination in Juarez, Mexico. His 17-year-old cousin was also killed in the accident.
It's Only A Paper Moon
Earl Grant 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
"It's Only a Paper Moon" by Earl Grant is a love song which encourages the listener to believe in love as it takes them away from the normalities of everyday life to a world of make-believe. The lyrics offer an escape from reality to a world with only paper and canvas; it exists where love is believed in. The song is conveying the message that the world may seem phony, with paper moons and canvas skies, it might be a honky-tonk parade, and a melody played in a penny arcade, but it could still be real if you believe in love. Without love, the world isn't worth living, and only through love one can truly experience the beauty of life.
The use of phrases such as "cardboard sea" and "canvas sky" creates visual imagery that depicts the world as one big stage. The reference to the "Barnum and Bailey world, just as phony as it can be" establishes that without love, the world could appear as a fake theatrical performance or simulate amusement. The song portrays that love can transform this world into a better place if it is believed in and pursued with a pure heart. Ultimately, the song suggests that true happiness can only be achieved through the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me tell you, it's just a metaphorical object made of paper.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
Floating in mid-air, above a sea made of cardboard.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
This unreal existence could become reality.
If you believed in me
Through your trust in me, it could become possible.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hey, listen, that sky you see up there is only canvas fabric.
Hanging over a muslin tree
Stretching out over the cotton fabric on this big old tree.
Without your love
In the absence of your affection,
It's a honky tonk parade
It's chaotic and rowdy, like a parade down the honky tonks.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's just like the tunes played from the mechanical instruments in a penny arcade.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Life is like a circus show, just like the famous Barnum and Bailey.
Just as phony as it can be
It's all fake and unreal, totally synthetic.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Despite this, it could all become real.
If you believed in me
You alone could make it a reality through your confidence in me.
It's phony it's plain to see
Indeed, it's all a fabricated façade, quite obvious to notice.
How happy I would be
Just imagine the bliss, the delight I would feel.
If you believed in me
If only you had faith in me.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind