It's Only A Paper Moon
Nat King Cole Trio The 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
"It's Only A Paper Moon" is a classic song that is all about the idea of make-believe and how powerful it can be. The lyrics point out that the world we live in can often seem fake and phony, like a paper moon or a canvas sky. However, the song suggests that these things can become real and meaningful if we believe in them. The singer is essentially saying that without the love and belief of the person they are singing to, everything is just a cheap imitation of happiness, like a penny arcade.
The song opens with the line, "Say, it's only a paper moon." This is a reference to the idea of a paper moon being used as a theatrical or carnival backdrop. The song goes on to compare the world we live in to this fake, phony world of make-believe. The lyrics suggest that the only way to make this world real and meaningful is to believe in something or someone.
The second verse of the song talks about how powerful love can be in making the world seem real. The singer suggests that love is like a canvas sky over a muslin tree, meaning it is something that can seem very fake on the surface, but beneath that surface is something very real and beautiful. The song then ends with the singer pleading with the person they are singing to, asking them to believe in them so that the world can become real and happy.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
The singer acknowledges that what they are looking at may seem like a simple, fragile thing, such as a paper moon.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The paper moon is floating above a sea that is also not real, just made of cardboard.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Despite the artificial nature of the scenery, the singer believes that real feelings can still exist.
If you believed in me
The possibility of love and connection is dependent on whether the person the artist is singing to believes in them.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Similar to the paper moon and cardboard sea, the sky is also fake and painted onto canvas.
Hanging over a muslin tree
Beneath the painted sky is a tree made of muslin, another fabric-like material.
Without your love
If the person the song is directed towards does not reciprocate love,
It's a honky tonk parade
life would be reduced to a cheap, noisy exhibition.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Similar to the honky tonk parade, life would just be a repeating tune in a small, unremarkable place.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is described as an illusionary circus that deceives people into believing what they see is real.
Just as phony as it can be
The world is being characterized as artificial, insincere and fake beyond measure.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Even though the world is not genuine, the possibility of having a real and authentic relationship exists.
If you believed in me
Once again, this likelihood solely depends on whether the person in question trusts and believes in the singer's intentions.
It's phony it's plain to see
The singer reiterates that the current state of the world is pretentious and facile.
How happy I would be
If the person would believe in the singer, they could be happy together and form a real connection.
If you believed in me
The song concludes on this note, emphasizing the importance of belief, trust and authenticity in relationships.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: DAVID E SHAW, PETER F STUART, RANDY EDELMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gloomymilk7636
Say, its 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
@lemonlebowski1397
What a lovely song, one of my favorites! Why does everyone look like Nat King Cole?
@gloomymilk7636
Say, its 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
@fishussugon3215
What a nice song to fold origami to
@giojojodio
This is a JOJO referece?
@moderndayentertainer.9516
@@giojojodioMust be. And ironically, it's true.
@wackaircaftmechanic2312
I found this song on a cassette I found somewhere and just now played in my first car that's broken. Thank you whoever left this cassette tape to me.
@carolinemitchell5241
Such a great feel-good sound, musicianship, trio & inimitable vocal- & super song.
@joaoalfredo2848
O Nat King Cole Trio foi um dos inspiradores do movimento da Bossa Nova no Brasil no final dos anos sessenta. Música inovadora, de grande qualidade. 15.1.2021.
@bills2909
Loved this guy. Great talent
@nesswhopees
When your dad loves his beetles more than you.