“It’s Only a Paper Moon” is a popular song written by Harold Arlen and published in 1933, with lyrics by E. Y. Harburg and Billy Rose. It was written originally for an unsuccessful Broadway play called The Great Magoo, set in Coney Island. It was subsequently used in the movie Take a Chance, in 1933, and Paul Whiteman recorded a successful version, sung by Peggy Healey. But its lasting fame stems from recordings by popular artists during the last years of World War II, when versions by Ella Fitzgerald and the Nat King Cole Trio became popular. It has endured as a vehicle for improvisation by many jazz musicians.

There was a resurgence of interest in the song when the Paul Whiteman Orchestra’s recording was used in the 1973 Oscar-winning film Paper Moon.

By Nat King Cole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx-oltUSpt4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCg11BL6Ydw

Lyrics

Said it is only a paper moon  Sailing over a cardboard sea,  But it wouldn’t be make believe  If you believed in me.

Say it is 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.

~interlude~

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.