Its Only a Paper Moon - Nat King

Its Only a Paper Moon

 

Written by: Yip Harburg and Billy Rose
Composed by: Harold Arlen
Comment: It was published in 1933. It was originally titled "If You Believed in Me", and  was written for an unsuccessful 1932 Broadway play called "The Great Magoo" and first performed this song on December 2, 1932. Producer Billy Rose interpolated "It's Only a Paper Moon" for his Broadway show "Crazy Quilt" in 1933. The same year, the song was featured in the film "Take a Chance" in 1933 when it was sung by June Knight and Charles "Buddy" Rogers.

Its Only a Paper Moon Lyrics

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

Its Only a Paper Moon Singers

* Paul Whiteman 1933 * Cliff Edwards 1933
* Nat King Cole (Billboard hit 1944) 1944

* Ella Fitzgerald with The Delta Rhythm Boys recorded 27 March 1945 * Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney 1953 * Mel Tormé 1957 * Frank Sinatra 1961 * Sammy Davis Jr. 1965 * Harry Nilsson 1988 * Natalie Cole 1991 * James Taylor 1992 * John Pizzarelli 1994 * George Shearing 1995 * Paul McCartney 2012.


You May Also Like RnB:
* Straighten Up and Fly Right - King Cole Trio
* Till Then - Mills Brothers
* You Always Hurt the One You Love - Mills Brothers
* Don't Fence Me In - Bing Crosby and Andrews Sisters
* I Wish - Mills Brothers


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