(IT'S ONLY A) PAPER MOON
Harold Arlen with lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and Billy Rose, 1933 for an unsuccessful Broadway play, The Great Magoo and used later that year in the movie Take A Chance.  Also used by Tenasee Williams in his 1s947 play A Streetcar named Desire.
Recorded by Paul Whiteman, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole (who used it regularly in his American TV series as a vehicle for dueting with his weekly guests) and used as an improvisational standard for a plethora of jazz vocalists and instrumental soloists.


Also recorded by: LeeWiley, Adam Ant, Ray Anthony, Fiona Apple and Maude Maggart, Harold Arlan, Count Basie, Richard Rodney Bennett, Tony Benett, Les Brown, Dave Brukbeck, June Christy, Rosemary Clooney, Havalina Rail Company, Bihg Crosby, Bbby Daren, Miles Davis, Kenny Drew, Sammy Davis Junior, Dion and the Belmonts, Erroll Garner, Marvin Gaye, Dizzy Gillsepie, Benny Goodman, Betty Grable, Stephane Grapelli, Loonel Hampton, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, Dick Haynes, Coleman Hawkins, Woody Herman, Earl Hines, Brt Kampfert, Stan kenon, Morgana King, Anre Kstelanentz, Gene Krupa, Johnny Mathis, Maureen McGovern, Ray McKinley, Vaughn Monroe, Red Nichols, Harry Nilson, Les Paul Trio, Oscar Petersen, The Pied Pipers, JimReeves, Django Rienhardt, Buddy Rich, George Sharing, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Maxine Sullivan, Art Tatun, Mel Torme, Rufus Wainwright, Coco d-Or, James Darren, Al Grey and J.J. Johnson, Erin McKeown, Natalie Cole, James Taylor, Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike), Over the Rhine.


So it’s only a paper moon
Hanging over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn’t be make believe
If you believe in me


Well it’s only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn’t be make believe
If you believe in me


Without your love
It’s a carnival parade
Without your love
It’s a melody played on a penny arcade


It’s a Barnum & Bailey world
Just as phoney as it could be
But it wouldn’t be make believe
If you believe in me








(Contributed by  - July 2008)