Throughout the years, and changing line-ups, the group maintained a strong fan-base among jazz fans of all ages.
It's Only A Paper Moon
The Dave Brubeck Quartet 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 The Dave Brubeck Quartet is a catchy and upbeat tune that speaks to the power of belief in oneself and in others. The song begins by describing a paper moon sailing over a cardboard sea, and a canvas sky hanging over a muslin tree - all fake and unrealistic, but which can become real through the power of belief. The singer encourages the listener to believe in them, and if they do, the world will become less phony and more real.
The lyrics suggest that love is the foundation of this belief - without it, life is just a honky-tonk parade, a melody played in a penny arcade. However, if one has love and belief, the world can be transformed to become anything they want it to be. The singer longs for the listener to believe in them, to unlock the potential of their imagination and see the world in a new light, devoid of the cynicism and superficiality that often characterizes modern life.
In essence, the song is a celebration of the power of make-believe and the transformative power of belief. It suggests that the world can be whatever we choose to make it, as long as we believe in ourselves and those around us. The upbeat, jazz-infused melody further emphasizes the uplifting and joyful nature of the song, making it a timeless classic that inspires hope and optimism.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, it's only a paper moon
This world may seem like an illusion or a lie, just like a paper moon that sails over a cardboard sea.
Sailing over a cardboard sea
The scene painted before us is nothing more than a man-made object on a surface of deceit.
But it wouldn't be make-believe
However, none of it would be false or deceptive if you truly believe in me.
If you believed in me
If you have faith in me, all the skepticism of this world would vanish like it never existed.
Yes, it's only a canvas sky
This sky may appear to be beautifully painted on canvas and hung above us like a canopy, but it is not real at all.
Hanging over a muslin tree
Even the tree underneath it is not a complete tree - just a facade made from a light cotton fabric.
Without your love
Without your affection, attention or care towards me,...
It's a honky-tonk parade
...this world becomes noisy and chaotic, like a parade of performers playing loud instruments in a nightclub.
It's a melody played in a penny arcade
...or even like a cheap melody played through a coin-operated machine in an amusement arcade.
It's a Barnum and Bailey world
This world is like a circus show, exaggerated and staged to grab your attention, but ultimately not real.
Just as phony as it can be
All the qualities of this world are just as fake as they can appear to be.
It's phony it's plain to see
It is obvious that this world is a deception, a fabrication constructed from flimsy materials.
How happy I would be
If only you would believe in me, I would be immensely joyful and content with the world before me.
If you believed in me
If only you had trust in me, all the false and flimsy qualities of the world would disappear, leaving behind only what is real and true.
Lyrics © S.A. MUSIC, SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: BILLY ROSE, E.Y. HARBURG, HAROLD ARLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind