Freelon had a part in the Mel Gibson movie What Women Want.
It's Only A Paper Moon
Nnenna Freelon 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
In Nnenna Freelon's rendition of "It's Only a Paper Moon," the lyrics describe a world that appears to be fake and made up, but can become very real and meaningful if someone believes in the person singing. The opening couplets, for example, compare the moon and the sea to paper and cardboard. These are metaphors that suggest an artificial and fragile world, one that is easily manipulated and can be destroyed. However, the chorus emphasizes that all of this can be made real if the person singing believes in himself or herself. It is interesting to note that this version of "It's Only a Paper Moon" features a saxophone that complements Freelon's smooth, soulful voice, providing a jazzy interpretation to the song's upbeat lyrics.
The song's first verse describes a moon made of paper sailing over a sea made of cardboard. This imagery is meant to suggest something unreal and fragile, like a child's imagination. However, the second verse introduces the idea that all of this artificiality can be made real through the power of belief. The song's refrain, "But it wouldn't be make-believe / If you believed in me," emphasizes this theme. It serves as a reminder that what is important is not the world, but the belief that one person can instill in another. The closing verses repeat this theme, with the final line expressing the singer's longing for someone to believe in her.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
I'm trying to tell you that what we're experiencing together may seem like a flimsy illusion, almost fake and worthless
Sailing over a cardboard sea
Our whole world together, no matter how beautiful it looks or feels, is nothing more than fabricated materials - and yet, it still has value
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Although it seems unreal, it's actually not imaginary
If you believed in me
If you trust in our relationship and see the authenticity in it, then it becomes the real deal
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
What we think of as the sky is just a painted backdrop, a mere stage prop
Hanging over a muslin tree
The tree, too, is just a simple set design - not something you would find in nature itself
Without your love
If we were to lose our connection and affection for each other
It's a honky-tonk parade
Life would be a loud and fast-paced celebration, but ultimately meaningless without your influence
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
A cheap imitation of true music, something that can be played and replayed without any real feeling or passion behind it
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Our surroundings can sometimes seem like a circus, full of endless shows and flashy attractions
Just as phony as it can be
All of this is simply a grand illusion
It's phony it's plain to see
It's evident that what we have isn't what it seems
How happy I would be
Expressing how much joy it would bring me
If you believed in me
If you trusted me and our relationship, everything we have together would become truly real and valuable
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind