At the age of 13, Klugh was captivated by the guitar playing of Chet Atkins when he made an appearance on the Perry Como Show. He has since been a guest on several Atkins albums. Atkins, reciprocating as well, joined Earl on his Magic In Your Eyes album. Klugh was also influenced by Bob James, Ray Parker Jr, Wes Montgomery and Laurindo Almeida. His sound is a blend of these jazz, pop and rhythm' and blues influences, forming a potpourri of sweet contemporary music original to only him.
Klugh became a guitar instructor at the young age of 15, and was eventually discovered by Yusef Lateef. His career rapidly progressed to working with the likes of George Benson, George Shearing, Chick Corea, and many others. Like several other Detroit-bred entertainers, Klugh attended Mumford High School (Michigan).
For their album One on One, Klugh and Bob James received a Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance of 1981. He has since received 13 Grammy nods, millions of record and CD sales, and continues touring worldwide to this day.
It
Earl Klugh 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-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
Earl Klugh's "It" is a cover of a classic tune from the 1930s musical film "Take a Chance". The song is about how faith and confidence in a partner can make their relationship seem less superficial and unreal. The title "It" refers to the intangible quality that makes people fall in love. Klugh's smooth guitar playing and soothing voice create a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for the romantic nature of the song. The lyrics evoke a bygone era of romance and glamour while remaining timeless in their message of the power of belief.
The opening lines "Say, it's only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea" set the tone for the song's message. The imagery creates a picture of a fake, unrealistic world but then the lyrics state that "it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me". The song suggests that love can make even the most artificial world seem real and meaningful. The chorus repeats the sentiment with the lines "Without your love, it's a honky-tonk parade" and "it's a Barnum and Bailey world, just as phony as it can be" but once again affirms that belief in one another can make it all worthwhile.
The song's message of shared belief in a partner has resonated with generations of music lovers. The tune has been covered by a range of artists, from Nat King Cole to Frank Sinatra to the punk band Operation Ivy. Earl Klugh's rendition is particularly popular as it showcases his virtuosic guitar playing while also being a faithful interpretation of the classic song. The song is often featured in movies, TV shows, and advertisements.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
The singer is comparing life to a paper moon, which is just a 2D object that looks like a moon. It is not real, just a projection.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The cardboard sea here is again another fake prop that does not actually exist. The singer is saying that life feels like a facade.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Despite everything feeling artificial, if the singer's love interest believed in him, it would no longer be an illusion.
If you believed in me
By believing in the artist, his love interest has the power to make his life feel more authentic.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The artist reinforces that the sky, like the moon and sea, is also not real but just a facade.
Hanging over a muslin tree
The muslin tree is another fake prop like the cardboard sea earlier. The singer is saying that everything around him is a fake set.
Without your love
It's a honky-tonk parade
Without the love interest, the singer's life is like a noisy and chaotic parade that is unpleasant.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
The artist depicts his life without love like a tune played in a cheap, low-quality penny arcade.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
The Barnum and Bailey circus is known for their illusions and fakery, and the artist asserts that life without the love interest is just as fake and full of illusions, just like the circus.
It's phony it's plain to see
The artist emphasizes on the fact that everything around him feels fake and artificial. Life is a facade without the love interest.
How happy I would be
If you believed in me
The singer would be elated if his love interest believed in him, giving him a reason to feel authentic and happy.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thomas Mokoena
on Across the Sand
When I first heard this in 1994 I was in school on the radio by non other than ausi Makgotso (aka Mamontha Modise) will make sure that as the program starts I've tuned in and waiting for her to introduce herself, still my favorite.