The group’s inception was as a trio in Tacoma, Washington in 1994. They quickly expanded to a quintet, adding a violinist and a third guitarist. An interview on NPR’s All Things Considered in 2001 brought the group to national attention. In June 2002, Pearl Django performed at the prestigious Festival Django Reinhardt in Samois sur Seine, just outside of Paris, France. As of 2007 Pearl Django is working as both a quartet and a quintet (with accordionist, David Lange) All of the members are contributing original compositions to the band’s expansive repertoire. They have released 9 CDs to date.
Members:
Neil Andersson, Guitar; Ryan Hoffman , Guitar; David Lange, Accordion; Michael Gray, Violin; Rick Leppanen, Bass
Discography:
Modern Times—2007
Chasing Shadows— 2005
Swing 48 — 2003
Under Paris Skies — 2002
Avalon – 2000
Souvenirs – 1999
Mystery Pacific – 1999
New Metropolitan Swing – 1997
Le Jazz Hot – 1995 (out of print)
It's Only A Paper Moon
Pearl Django Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The first and second stanza of the song “It’s Only a Paper Moon” by Pearl Django seems to suggest that the world is far from real as it is just like a make-believe – with a mere paper moon and canvas sky hanging over cardboard sea and muslin tree. However, the singer suggests that this world could be real if you believe in him. The lyrics reflect the power of true love and the impact it could have on an otherwise phony world. Without love, the world becomes just like a honky-tonk parade, lacking life and melody, and existing like an arcade penny machine.
In the third stanza, the lyrics suggest that the world would be a happier place if there is someone who believed in the singer. The singer’s happiness is dependent on the belief that there is someone out there with whom he shares a true and honest connection. The song essentially conveys the message that the world loses its make-believe, phony, and artificial nature when people love one another. The concept is consolidated in the fourth stanza, ending with the statement that the world could be made real, and the singer happy if the audience believed in him.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
The singer acknowledges that the moon is not real, but just a paper prop.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The sea is not real but made of cardboard in the same way as the paper moon.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Despite the props being fake, the emotions behind them are still genuine.
If you believed in me
However, to truly believe in love, both partners need to be on the same page.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Similar to the moon, the sky is just a backdrop that can be easily taken down like a canvas painting.
Hanging over a muslin tree
The tree is made out of muslin, a thin cotton fabric that is commonly used for stage decorations.
Without your love
When love is absent, the world becomes dreary and lifeless.
It's a honky-tonk parade
The things that once brought joy now seem meaningless, like a parade in a rundown bar.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
The music that once sounded sweet now feels cheap and mechanical.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world feels like a circus or carnival, something that is not meant to be taken seriously.
Just as phony as it can be
Everything seems fake and staged, with nothing being authentic.
It's phony it's plain to see
The falsehoods of the world are readily apparent to the artist.
How happy I would be
The singer would be ecstatic if their partner believed in them and in their love.
If you believed in me
The singer reiterates how important belief is, not just in the props, but in the emotions behind them as well.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Rose, E. Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind