1933 Hits - It`s Only A Paper Moon Lyrics And More

Posted by Nigel Herbert on April 27, 2023. Filed under: 1933 Hits, It`s Only A Paper Moon

"It's Only a Paper Moon" is a popular song published in 1933 with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose.

1933 CD Card With It`s Only A Paper Moon

First Track - It`s Only A Paper Moon by Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra

Lyrics

Say it's only a paper moonSailing over a cardboard seaBut it wouldn't be make-believeIf you believed in me

Yes, it's only a canvas skyHanging over a muslin treeBut it wouldn't be make-believeIf you believed in me

Without your loveIt's a honky tonk paradeWithout your loveIt's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey worldJust as phony as it can beBut it wouldn't be make-believeIf you believed in me

Say, it's only a paper moonSailing over a cardboard seaBut it wouldn't be make-believeIf you believed in me

Yes, it's only a canvas skyHanging over a muslin treeBut it wouldn't be make-believeIf you believed in me

Without your loveIt's a honky tonk paradeWithout your loveIt's a melody played in a penny arcade

It's a Barnum and Bailey worldJust as phony as it can beBut it wouldn't be make-believeIf you believed in me

It's phony, it's plain to seeHow happy I would beIf you believed in me

Originally titled "If You Believed in Me", but subsequently renamed "It's Only a Paper Moon". The song first featured in an unsuccessful 1932 Broadway play called The Great Magoo that was set in Coney Island. It was also covered in the movie Take a Chance in 1933 when it was sung by June Knight and Charles "Buddy" Rogers.

Paul Whiteman recorded a hit version later that year (see above), released on the Victor label in October 1933 featuring Bunny Berigan on trumpet and Peggy Healy on vocals. A version released a month before Whiteman's was by Henry King and His Pierre Hotel Orchestra on the Vocalion label. Another popular 1933 recording was done by Cliff Edwards.

The song's lasting fame stems from its revival by popular artists during the last years of World War II, with hit recordings being made by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Benny Goodman (vocal by Dottie Reid).

It is now regarded as a jazz and pop standard, and has been recorded by numerous artists over the years.

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