It's Only A Paper Moon
Frank Sinatra with George Siravo and his Orchestra 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
Frank Sinatra's It's Only a Paper Moon is a song that talks about make-believe and the beauty of believing in love. The lyrics depict how the world can seem ordinary and unexciting, like a "cardboard sea" and "canvas sky," but these things can be transformed into something magical and true if one were to believe in the power of love. The singer even goes as far as saying that, without love, the world would be "just as phony as it can be."
The song is not only about romantic love, but also about the importance of belief in general. It highlights how powerful the human imagination can be: by believing in something, even if it isn't real or tangible, we can create a reality that is just as vivid and meaningful. With lines like "It's phony it's plain to see / How happy I would be / If you believed in me," the song is ultimately a plea for the listener to take a leap of faith and believe in something greater.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
This is just a whimsical statement about a paper moon floating above.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The moon is illustrated sailing over a fake sea made of cardboard.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you can find it within yourself to believe in me, this paper moon and cardboard sea becomes a reality.
If you believed in me
Only if you have faith in me.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The sky is an intricate illusion painted on canvas.
Hanging over a muslin tree
The tree is made of muslin, and the sky hangs over it like a backdrop.
Without your love
If you were not with me or didn't believe in me.
It's a honky-tonk parade
Life is dull and uneventful without your love with no purpose or direction.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Life is monotonous and lacks any genuine emotion or significance without your love.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is like a circus, with deceit and the misleading plays that happen every day.
Just as phony as it can be
The world is full of pretension that can be found everywhere.
It's phony it's plain to see
It's clear the world is full of lies and illusions.
How happy I would be
I would be immensely happy if you only believed in me.
If you believed in me
Only if you have faith in me.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PSW47
Always enjoy listening to Frank Sinatra. Beautiful classic songs. Thank you.
karen strycharz
Never cared for him as a kid.... he was more my “Nana’s & my mom’s generation but since I have grown older, I have grown to absolutely love his music. I now love listening to his songs & especially love “FLY ME TO TGE MOON!” He was an amazing singer!
Paul Riofski
Thank you, John, for sharing these examples of how Frank was already developing his signature swinging style in 1950, before his Columbia contract was terminated and he moved over to Capitol where he made his legendary recordings of that era. Your always excellent comments also illustrate the fine personnel that Frank enjoyed on these sessions. Very enlightening as well as entertaining!
Vikki Smith
Frank Sinatra this Absolutely a Amazing song!
Gicelda Gigi
👏👏💖💖