Some of his musical associates have included Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Milt Jackson, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Count Basie, and Stan Getz
It's Only A Paper Moon
Oscar Peterson Trio 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" by the Oscar Peterson Trio is a classic tune that speaks about the power of belief in relationships. The song's lyrics present an imaginary world where everything is fabricated, and nothing is genuine, but it wouldn't be make-believe if the person we love believes in us. The song emphasizes the importance of having someone who believes in us and supports us, regardless of how artificial the rest of the world may feel.
The first verse of the song refers to a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea. Despite this seemingly fake world, it wouldn't be fake if our loved one believed in us. Similarly, the second verse refers to a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree, tying into the theme of a make-believe world. The chorus emphasizes that without our loved one's love, life would be meaningless, and everything would feel like a honky-tonk parade or a melody played in a penny arcade. The final verse encapsulates the entire song, with the line "It's phony it's plain to see, how happy I would be if you believed in me."
Overall, "It's Only a Paper Moon" is a beautiful tribute to love, imagination, and the transformative power of belief. The song's message is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written, reminding us that even though the world can be filled with phoniness and make-believe, the power of love and belief can make life feel genuine and sincere.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let us suppose that the moon is made of paper
Sailing over a cardboard sea
Floating above an unreal sea made of cardboard
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But this vision would not be imaginary
If you believed in me
Only if you have faith in me, this would come true
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Indeed, the sky is merely a painted canvas
Hanging over a muslin tree
Stretching above a tree composed of loosely woven cotton
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, it would not be a fantasy
If you believed in me
Only if you had confidence in my words
Without your love
Your affection is what's missing
It's a honky-tonk parade
It's an unorganized and chaotic gathering
Without your love
Devoid of your care and affection
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It's like an uncomplicated melody played in a cheap amusement park
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
It's a world full of deception and trickery
Just as phony as it can be
As artificial as it can possibly be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Despite all that, it still would not be unreal
If you believed in me
Only if you placed your confidence in me
Say, it's only a paper moon
Once more, let's agree that the moon is only paper
Sailing over a cardboard sea
Drifting above a fabricated ocean
But it wouldn't be make-believe
But it would not be a phantasm
If you believed in me
Provided you had faith in me
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Certainly, the sky is nothing more than a painted canvas
Hanging over a muslin tree
Extending above a tree made of cotton material
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, it would be legitimate and sincere
If you believed in me
Only if you had trust in me
Without your love
Lacking your fondness and care
It's a honky-tonk parade
It's a messy and disordered procession
Without your love
Desolate without your devotion
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
Resembling a monotonous tune played in a cheap arcade
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
It's a world full of frauds and charlatans
Just as phony as it can be
As fabricated as fabricated can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Nonetheless, it would not just be a dream
If you believed in me
Provided you had faith in me
It's phony it's plain to see
It's bogus and unmistakable
How happy I would be
The degree of joy would be immense
If you believed in me
If only you had reliance on me
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind