Just As Phony As It Can Be

Jim set a real challenge with this week’s Song Lyric Sunday theme. Oh there were plenty of tracks that contained the words on selection, but while I was doing my research, I noted that a lot of them bore very little resemblance with music as it is commonly defined.

The phenomenal Ella Fitzgerald rescued me with her cover of the classic “It’s Only A Paper Moon”. I came across a very fetching animation to this track, however, it cut out suddenly after less than a minute of the song. Still, I think animation like that is so clever, I wanted to include it in this post.

Credits: Harold Arlen and Rose Billy Harburg

You 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 & Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me

You 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 & Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in me

It's phony it's plain to see
How happy I would be
If you believed in me

• The Topic On The Table