It's Only A Paper Moon
E.Y. Harburg (w), Harold Arlen (m), Billy Rose (c)
Take A Chance, 1933
VERSE
I never feel, a thing is real,
When I'm away from you,
Out of your embrace,
The world's a temporary parking place.
Mmm, mm, mm, mm,
A bubble for a minute,
Mm, mm,
You smile, the bubble has a rainbow in it.
REFRAIN
Say, it's only a paper moon,
Sailing over a cardboard sea,
But it wouldn't be make believe,
If you believed 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.
|
| Recorded | Performers | Label | Cat.# | Matrix |
|
|
| | Lester Young | Aladdin | 127 | |
| | King Cole Trio | Capitol | 883 | |
| | King Cole Trio | Capitol | 1650 | |
| | Chromise,Joe | Champion | 16703 | G19422 |
| | Vaughn Monroe | RCA Victor | 20-1703 | |
| | Jess Stacy | RCA Victor | 20-1708B | |
| | Perry Como (Mitchell Ayres Orchestra | RCA Victor | 20-4034A | |
| | Herb Gordon & His Orchestra | Romeo | 2143 | 14075 |
| 09/07/1933 | Hal Kemp & His Orchestra | Brunswick | 6648 | C612 |
| 09/07/1933 | George Olsen & His Orchestra | Columbia | 2811-D | W152483 |
| 09/11/1933 | Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra | Victor | 24400-A | 77645 |
| 09/11/1933 | Henry King & Hotel Pierre Orchestra | Vocalion | 2550 | 13989 |
| 09/15/1933 | Bill Scotti & His Orchestra | Bluebird | B5178-B | 77681 |
| 09/15/1933 | Bill Scotti & His Orchestra | Bluebird | B5181-A | 77681 |
| 09/15/1933 | Bill Scotti & His Orchestra | Sunrise | S-3261 | 77681 |
| 09/26/1933 | Herb Gordon & His Orchestra | Conqueror | 8277 | 14075 |
| 09/26/1933 | Bob Causer's Cornelians | Melotone | M12806 | 14075 |
| 09/26/1933 | Herb Gordon & His Orchestra | Oriole | 2770 | 14075 |
| 09/26/1933 | Herb Gordon & His Orchestra | Perfect | 15829 | 14075 |
| 09/27/1933 | Herb Gordon & His Orchestra | Banner | 32871 | 14075 |
| 10/05/1933 | Conrad Thibault | Victor | 24424-A | 78092 |
| 10/24/1933 | Cliff Edwards | Vocalion | 2587 | 14143 |
| 07/25/1941 | John Kirby & Ho | Victor | 27598 | 066897 |
| 12/15/1943 | King Cole Trio | Capitol | 20012 | 141 |
| 03/27/1945 | The Delta Rhythm Boys | Decca | 29136 | 72798 |
| 03/27/1945 | Ella Fitzgerald Delta Rhythm | Decca | 23425 | 72798 |
| 06/18/1945 | Benny Goodman & His Orchestra | Columbia | 36843 | CO35010 |
| 05/29/1946 | Eddie Heywood & His Orchestra | Decca | 23812-A | 73609 |
| 04/24/1950 | Frank Sinatra (George Siravo Orch) | Columbia | 38997 | CO43181 |
|
Year | Title | Medium | Type | Usage |
|
|
1932 | The Great Magoo | stage | stage original | not used/dropped |
1933 | Take A Chance | film | film original | introduced |
1945 | Too Young To Know | film | film original | reused |