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Released in 2012

It's Only a Paper Moon

Written by Harold Arlen • Edgar Yipsel Harburg • Billy Rose

Last updated on November 1, 2020

Album This song officially appears on the Kisses On the Bottom Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 2012

Master album

Related session

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Related interviews

“It’s Only a Paper Moon” is a 1932 song with music written by Harold Arlen and lyrics by Yip Harburg and Billy Rose. The song was written for an unsuccessful 1932 Broadway play called The Great Magoo. Hit recordings by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Goodman transformed this song into a jazz and pop standard. Paul McCartney covered it on his 2012 album “Kisses On The Bottom“.

Lyrics

Say, it's only a paper moon

Sailing over a cardboard sea

But it wouldn't be make-believe

If you believe 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

~ Solo ~

Without your love

It's a honky-tonk parade

Without your love

It's a melody played in a penny arcade

Yes, it's a Barnum and Bailey world

About as phony as it can be

But it wouldn't be make-believe

If you believed in me

If you believed in me

If you, believed in me

Variations

  • A Cover from "Kisses On The Bottom"
  • L1 Live from Capitol Studios

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Videos

Album Kisses On the Bottom (Deluxe version)

Live performances

“It's Only a Paper Moon” has been played in 1 concerts.

Latest concerts where “It's Only a Paper Moon” has been played

Going further

Paul McCartney writing

Talk more talk, chat more chat

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