Taylor achieved his breakthrough in 1970 with the No. 3 single "Fire and Rain" and had his first No. 1 hit the following year with "You've Got a Friend", a recording of Carole King's classic song. His 1976 Greatest Hits album was certified Diamond and has sold 12 million US copies. Following his 1977 album, JT, he has retained a large audience over the decades. Every album that he released from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies. He enjoyed a resurgence in chart performance during the late 1990s and 2000s, when he recorded some of his most-awarded work (including Hourglass, October Road, and Covers). He achieved his first number-one album in the US in 2015 with his recording Before This World.
He is known for his popular covers of other people's songs, such as "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and the aforementioned "You've Got A Friend", as well as originals such as "Fire and Rain".
Taylor's four siblings (Alex, Livingston, Hugh, and Kate) have also been musicians with recorded albums. Livingston is still an active musician; Kate was active in the 1970s but did not record another album until 2003; Hugh operates a bed-and-breakfast with his wife, The Outermost Inn in Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard; and Alex died in 1993 on James's birthday.
After his divorce from Carly Simon in 1983, Taylor married actress Kathryn Walker on December 14, 1985 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. She had helped him get off heroin, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
On February 18, 2001, at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Boston, Taylor wed for the third time, marrying Caroline ("Kim") Smedvig, the director of public relations and marketing for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.[81] They had begun dating in 1995, when they met as he appeared with John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Part of their relationship was worked into the album October Road, on the song "On the 4th of July". The couple reside in the town of Washington, Massachusetts, with their twin boys, Rufus and Henry, born in April 2001. Henry shares James' intrest and talents.
Sally and Ben, his children with Carly Simon, have also embarked on musical careers. After they were born, Taylor moved with his family to Lenox, Massachusetts.
It's Only A Paper Moon
James Taylor 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
In James Taylor's song "It's Only a Paper Moon," the lyrics describe a world that is not real, but could be made real through the power of love and belief. The song talks about a paper moon and cardboard sea, a canvas sky and muslin tree, all of which are fake, yet could become real if the person singing was believed in. The lyrics also talk about how without love, the world is a honky-tonk parade, a cheap imitation of something better, and how it's Barnum and Bailey world, just as phony as it can be.
The song is a nostalgic tribute to old fantasies and dreams that are not real, but can be brought to life through the power of love and belief. It's about how sometimes, we need to make-believe in order to get through tough times, and how love can make everything seem real. The song is a classic and often covered by different artists.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me clarify that this is just a metaphorical expression to emphasize the idea.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The backdrop might seem fake but it's still a beautiful sight.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
The emotions are real.
If you believed in me
This is the faith James is asking for.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The sky is painted on canvas, but it's still breathtaking.
Hanging over a muslin tree
The tree is also a prop, but the image it creates is genuine.
Without your love
The things that once held meaning lose their charm without love.
It's a honky tonk parade
The same scene becomes tacky and unenjoyable.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
The music that once sounded sweet now becomes cheap and repetitive.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world may seem like a circus, but it's still better with love.
Just as phony as it can be
The world may seem fake, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have value.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
The emotions are still real and strong.
If you believed in me
All that's needed is faith in each other.
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me remind you once again that this is just an analogy.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
It may not be real, but it's still beautiful.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
The connection is real and meaningful.
If you believed in me
Faith is essential to make it work.
It's phony it's plain to see
The world may seem fake, but the emotions are authentic.
How happy I would be
The joy that comes with believing in each other is immeasurable.
If you believed in me
It all comes down to trust and faith.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, S.A. MUSIC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kirsten Holm
Here's what I said to my friends about this song and the album as a whole: "I wish I had a platform, this is a beautiful album drawing on all that is good in music composition and artists in our country. The different instrument you hear about midway is a melodica, how perfect here!
Here is one stanza I especially adore -- "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 Only a Paper Moon" is a popular song published in 1933, music by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose.**
LYRICS
You 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, its 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
You say its a barnum and bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me
But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me
**Harold Arlen also wrote the song 'Over the Rainbow' for the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz' and Yip Harburg wrote the lyrics in that. And Judy Garland sang it, of course, as Dorothy. I love singing 'Over the Rainbow,' I guess now I'll start singing 'It's Only a Paper Moon' too, it is so pretty.
Frederica Harris
I just have to listen to my James Taylor songs everyday. His music touches my spirit. He is so articulate with every song. I like that about his music. Thank you James for making my day a little better.
cerveza
Same
Pa MaGee
I’ve been listening to Natalie Cole sing this all week! Her Dad’s hit.
Kirsten Holm
Here's what I said to my friends about this song and the album as a whole: "I wish I had a platform, this is a beautiful album drawing on all that is good in music composition and artists in our country. The different instrument you hear about midway is a melodica, how perfect here!
Here is one stanza I especially adore -- "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 Only a Paper Moon" is a popular song published in 1933, music by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose.**
LYRICS
You 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, its 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
You say its a barnum and bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me
But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me
**Harold Arlen also wrote the song 'Over the Rainbow' for the 1939 film 'The Wizard of Oz' and Yip Harburg wrote the lyrics in that. And Judy Garland sang it, of course, as Dorothy. I love singing 'Over the Rainbow,' I guess now I'll start singing 'It's Only a Paper Moon' too, it is so pretty.
ricardo carvalho
Background vocals from James' great classics, particularly in the late 1970s. James still has a young voice ... Wow! Thanks\o/
Kirsten Holm
Great observation about James's voice. Not sure all the factors, but some of us singers do keep our voices!
sue K
what a calming voice...such a relief
Maria José Asensio
Lovely song, which takes a new dimension with this precious version with your wonderful chorus voices. ¡Gracias, James!
Thomas Gallipoli
Another awesome song from an awesome legend. Thank you very much, good sir. My favorite cover of this song, alongside the James Darren version from Star Trek Deep Space Nine.
Jon Hansen
Well, if I have to get old, I'm blessed to do it with JT on the spkrs. Thx Mr Taylor . We go WAY back and we're still here. That counts for something BIG. !!!