Maynard's first idol was trumpeter Harry James and he first received his music union card at age thirteen. He left Montreal at age eighteen with close friend and schoolmate, Oscar Peterson and secured a contract recording session work with RCA Victor's prestigious Jazz division.
He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957. He was noted for being able to play accurately in a remarkably high register, and for his bands, which served as stepping stones for up-and-coming talent. Maynard also played a solo at the Closing Ceremony of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games at Montreal, Canada.
It's Only A Paper Moon
Maynard Ferguson 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
Maynard Ferguson's song It's Only a Paper Moon is about the transformative power of love. The lyrics suggest that the world is an illusion, but that love is real and can make everything seem possible. The first stanza compares the moon and the sea to paper and cardboard, respectively, indicating how fragile and unreliable the world can seem at times. However, the singer believes that the illusion can be transcended if the listener believes in them. The second stanza employs a similar metaphor, describing the sky and tree as being made of canvas and muslin, respectively.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of love in creating a positive experience of the world. Without love, the world is like a honky-tonk parade or a melody played in a penny arcade, both of which suggest a sense of emptiness and hollowness. However, with love, the world is not only real, but it is also joyful and transformative. The final stanza reiterates the idea that the world is "phony" and "plain to see," but that the singer would be happy if the listener believed in them.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let's recognize that this is an illusion. It's something that's not real.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
This moon is flying over an artificial sea.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But it can become real and not just an idea in our minds.
If you believed in me
If you trust and rely on me.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
The idea here is the same as with the previous line. It's still an illusion, created by a painted canvas.
Hanging over a muslin tree
And this sky is just above an artificial muslin tree.
Without your love
Without your love and care, the world around me feels cheap and meaningless.
It's a honky tonk parade
The atmosphere becomes one of a superficial, tacky carnival.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Or, if the world is not a carnival, it becomes a mechanical penny arcade, where everything bumps and grinds along to the same tune.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The Barnum and Bailey circus was known for its bombastic, grandiose displays that were designed to appeal to the audience's senses. It is a perfect metaphor for a fake world.
Just as phony as it can be
This entire world that we're living in is unreal and fake.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
The only way for this world to feel real is if you believe in me and allow me to make it real.
If you believed in me
You must believe and have faith in me.
It's phony it's plain to see
It's clear that this world is not authentic.
How happy I would be
I would be so content if you believed in me and helped me make this illusion into a reality.
If you believed in me
Again, your support and belief in me is essential to making this world feel real.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Didier Mukendi
Hmmm not sure pal