Paper Moon
Steve Hall Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

It is only a paper moon
Hanging over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make believe
If you believe in me

It is only a canvas sky
Sailing over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make believe
If you believe in me

Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played
On 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 believe in me

Without your love
It's a honky tonk parade
Without your love
It's a melody played
On 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 believe in me

Overall Meaning

In the song "Paper Moon" by Steve Halls, he sings about the concept of make-believe and how it can become a reality if one believes enough in themselves and in their love. The opening lines of "It is only a paper moon, hanging over a cardboard sea, but it wouldn't be make-believe if you believe in me" sets the tone for the song as it speaks to the fact that even though things may seem unreal or artificial, they can become real if there is a strong enough belief in them. The use of the metaphor of a paper moon and a canvas sky, along with the imagery of a muslin tree, further emphasizes this point.


However, the song takes a slightly more melancholic turn as Steve sings about how life without love can be seen as a "honky tonk parade" and a "melody played on a penny arcade." These lines, along with the mentioning of a "Barnum and Bailey world" - a reference to the famous circus - highlights the idea that without love, life can seem like a hollow, empty experience, characterized by superficiality and artificiality. Halls suggests that the power of love lies in its ability to create a sense of meaning and purpose in one's life, even in a world that can often be seen as false or fake.


Overall, "Paper Moon" by Steve Halls is a song that speaks to the power of belief and the importance of love in one's life. It suggests that even though life can be seen as a "Barnum and Bailey world" at times, with enough belief in oneself and in love, even the most artificial of things can become real.


Line by Line Meaning

It is only a paper moon
This moon is made of paper and not real


Hanging over a cardboard sea
The moon is over a sea made of cardboard


But it wouldn't be make believe
Even though it's fake, it can become real


If you believe in me
If you trust me, these fake things can become real


It is only a canvas sky
The sky is made of canvas and not real


Sailing over a muslin tree
The sky is 'floating' above a tree made of muslin material


Without your love
When I'm not with you


It's a honky tonk parade
Everything becomes chaotic and noisy like a parade


It's a melody played
Life without you feels like a sad song


On a penny arcade
Playing in a place where even the games are cheap and fake


It's a Barnum and Bailey world
The world is like a circus show, with everything being fake and exaggerated


Just as phony as it can be
Everything around is just fake beyond imagination


But it wouldn't be make believe
Despite all that, there's hope to make it real


If you believe in me
If I have your support




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E. Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions