It's Only A Paper Moon
Gia Maione 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
The song "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Gia Maione is a beautiful love song that speaks about the power of belief in a relationship. The verses describe a world that is only made of paper and canvas, but that becomes real and true when two people believe in each other's love. The song highlights the importance of imagination and the value of shared optimism in a relationship. The lyrics suggest that the only way to find happiness in a world that can be phony is to believe in each other, and that love can transform even the most artificial and unreal things into something authentic and beautiful.
The repeated refrain throughout the song drives this point home: "But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me." The verses are colorful and vivid, describing a world that is "just as phony as it can be." The line "Without your love, it's a honky-tonk parade" suggests that life can be filled with meaningless noise and chaos without the grounding presence of a loving partner. However, the song reminds the listener that all of that can be changed with the power of belief.
One interesting fact about "It's Only a Paper Moon" is that it was written by a group of songwriters, including Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg, and Billy Rose, for a 1932 play called "The Great Magoo." It was covered by many musicians over the years, including Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and James Taylor. The most well-known version, however, is probably the 1945 recording by the Nat King Cole Trio. Another fun fact is that the song was used as the title for the 1973 Peter Bogdanovich film "Paper Moon," which starred Ryan and Tatum O'Neal. The song has since been used in various other films, including "The King's Speech" and "Starman."
The chords for "It's Only a Paper Moon" are traditionally played as follows:
Verse:
G7 C G7 E7 A7 D7 G7
Say, it's only a paper moon, sailing over a cardboard sea
Chorus:
G B7 C A7 D7 G B7 Em7
But it wouldn't be make-believe, if you believed in me
Verse:
G7 C G7 E7 A7 D7 G7
Yes, it's only a canvas sky, hanging over a muslin tree
Chorus:
G B7 C A7 D7 G B7 Em7
But it wouldn't be make-believe, if you believed in me
Verse:
G7 C G7 E7 A7 D7 G7
Without your love, it's a honky-tonk parade
Chorus:
G B7 C A7 D7 G B7 Em7
But it wouldn't be make-believe, if you believed in me
Verse:
G7 C G7 E7 A7 D7 G7
It's a Barnum and Bailey world, just as phony as it can be
Chorus:
G B7 C A7 D7 G B7 Em7
But it wouldn't be make-believe, if you believed in me.
G B7 C A7 D7 G B7 Em7
It's phony it's plain to see, how happy I would be
G B7 C A7 D7 G B7 Em7
If you believed in me.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let's acknowledge that what we are seeing is not real
Sailing over a cardboard sea
This illusion is being created by the simplest of materials
But it wouldn't be make-believe
This could actually be a genuine experience
If you believed in me
If you trust and have faith in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
This whole sky is being fabricated by an artist's brush
Hanging over a muslin tree
The backdrop is just a simple piece of fabric, but it's doing its job
Without your love
When you're absent, I feel unhappy and incomplete
It's a honky tonk parade
The experience is lackluster and unfulfilling
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's a common and insignificant experience, like going to a low-quality amusement park
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is comparable to a circus or show
Just as phony as it can be
This world is entirely fabricated and is not entirely real
But it wouldn't be make-believe
This world could have a legitimate atmosphere if we shared a genuine connection
If you believed in me
If we had a true bond of trust and faith in one another
It's phony it's plain to see
This world is a manufactured experience and is easily identifiable as such
How happy I would be
I would be incredibly content and satisfied
If you believed in me
If we shared a connection built on trust and faith
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind