Owen was born George Owen Smith in Hackney, London, and began playing the saxophone at the age of 15. He played in local groups such as Teddy Joyce's Juveniles and the Royal Kiltie Juniors, before founding his own ensemble whilst still in his teens. He studied with Benny Glassman and then attended the Royal College of Music. During World War II he played in the Bomber Command Band of the RAF, then arranged for Ted Heath and Cyril Stapleton after 1945. In 1954, he had his name legally changed to Reginald Owen. He published a book, the Reg Owen Arranging Method, in 1956, and began writing film scores in 1957, including the scores to Date with Disaster (1957), Payroll (1961) and Very Important Person (1961). In 1959, he even scored a Top 40 hit in the U.S. with "Manhattan Spiritual", which peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The same track reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1959. A further track, "Obsession", peaked at #43 in the UK in October 1960.
In 1961 Owen moved to Brussels, working as a composer, conductor, and arranger throughout continental Europe. He moved to Spain in the 1970s, and died at the Clinica Limonar in Málaga, on 23 May 1978 at the age of 57.
It's Only A Paper Moon
Reg Owen and His Orchestra 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
The song "It's Only a Paper Moon" by Reg Owen and His Orchestra is a romantic tune that conveys the message that the world may be artificial and fabricated but if there is love and belief, there is always a way to find happiness. The lyrics compare the world to a fake and phony place, but suggests that it can transform into a utopia if someone believes in another person. The idea of a "paper moon" and a "canvas sky" suggests that the beauty is temporary and there is an illusion in the world, but delusion can lead to healing the soul. It is all about the perception of a someone who loves a person and is ready to embrace the surreal for love's sake. Without love, there is only a "honky tonk parade" that lacks meaning and value.
This song delivers an inspiring message about the power of love and the influence of the mind on the outlook of life. It also depicts how the external world is artificial and deceptive, and suggests that it can take a different turn if someone else cares. The sentiment is inspiring and romantic and suggests that there is still hope to transform a hollow parade into a miracle under the influence of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
Let me clarify, it is solely a mere representation of a celestial body made of paper
Sailing over a cardboard sea
Drifting on top of a simulated aquatic surface constructed from cardboard
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, this fabrication wouldn't be a mere illusion
If you believed in me
If you had confidence in me, this would be a genuine experience
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Indeed, it is simply a painting of a firmament overhead
Hanging over a muslin tree
Suspending above a cotton fabric tree
Without your love
In the absence of your affection
It's a honky tonk parade
It becomes an unsophisticated, raucous procession
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
It transforms into a tune emanating from a cheap amusement center
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
It's a circus-like, carnivalesque globe
Just as phony as it can be
Merely as artificial and fabricated as possible
But it wouldn't be make-believe
Nonetheless, it wouldn't be a false impression
If you believed in me
That is if you trusted in me and my love
It's phony it's plain to see
It's quite obvious that this is artificially created
How happy I would be
I would be elated if
If you believed in me
If only you had confidence and faith in me
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dusty laredo
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