A great 20th century musician\arranger\conductor. His arrangements and orc… Read Full Bio ↴A great 20th century musician\arranger\conductor. His arrangements and orchestral backing were used on the great Frank Sinatra albums starting with "Songs for swingin' lovers" in the 50's. A very modest man, his remuneration for the Sinatra works were only those of a session musician, improving only when Nat King Cole insisted Capitol records pay him the full entitlement. Very highly regarded amongst musicians and his many fans worldwide.

It's Only A Paper Moon
Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Nelson Riddle and His Orchestra convey a sense of imagination and the power of belief. The song paints a picture of a world that may be artificial and superficial, but the singer suggests that it wouldn't feel that way if the listener believed in them.

The opening lines, "Say, it's only a paper moon / Sailing over a cardboard sea," create an image of a flimsy and fragile world. The use of materials like paper and cardboard emphasizes the idea of something temporary and unreal. However, the singer asserts that this world would become real and meaningful if the listener genuinely believed in them.

The second verse continues the theme with the lines, "Yes, it's only a canvas sky / Hanging over a muslin tree." Here, the imagery of a painted sky and a fabric tree further underscores the idea of an artificial world. Yet again, the singer emphasizes that believing in them would make this illusion tangible and valid.

The bridge of the song introduces a contrasting element of loneliness and emptiness. It states, "Without your love / It's a honky-tonk parade / Without your love / It's a melody played in a penny arcade." These lines suggest that without the love and belief of the listener, the world described earlier loses its charm and becomes nothing more than a cheap spectacle.

In the final verse, the lyrics proclaim, "It's a Barnum and Bailey world / Just as phony as it can be." This line references the famous circus, synonymous with grand illusions and spectacles. Once again, the singer emphasizes the superficiality of the world they describe. However, the lyrics conclude on an optimistic note, stating that this world would transform into a genuine reality if the listener believed in them.

Line by Line Meaning

Say, it's only a paper moon
Let's acknowledge that what I'm about to say may seem unrealistic or imaginary

Sailing over a cardboard sea
Moving through a fabricated world, an illusion of reality

But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, this experience would not be mere pretending

If you believed in me
If you had faith and trust in me, this could become true

Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Indeed, the sky above is nothing more than a painted backdrop

Hanging over a muslin tree
Suspending above a tree made of a thin fabric

Without your love
In the absence of your affection

It's a honky tonk parade
Life becomes a chaotic and noisy procession, lacking harmony

Without your love
In the absence of your love

It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It becomes a repetitive and cheap tune, echoing through a low-budget amusement venue

It's a Barnum and Bailey world
This world resembles the deceptive and flashy nature of the famous circus