It's Only A Paper Moon

by E.Y. Harburg
Loading song
Fetching song
1
—
How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

Start the lesson
Personalize the finger hints for your handsPick your hand size and we'll re-suggest this song's fingering to fit you.Personalize
More ways to play

Other arrangements of It's Only A Paper Moon

Pick a learning view.

Lyrics

Say, it’s (G#dim)on ly a (Am7)pa per moon,

Sail ing o ver a (G)card (D7)board (G)sea,

But it (G7)would n’t be (C)make be (Eb7)lieve, If (D7)you be lieved in me.

Yes, it’s (G#dim)on ly a (Am7)can vas sky,

Hang ing o ver a (G)mus (D7)lin (G)tree,

But it (G7)would n’t be (C)make be (Eb7)lieve, If (D7)you be lieved in me.

(G7)With (C)out

(C#dim)your (G)love

it’s a (D7)honk ky tonk pa (G6)rade,

With (C)out

(C#dim)your (G)love,

it’s a (E7)mel o dy played in a (D)pen ny ar cade.

It’s a (G#dim)Bar num and (Am7)Bai ley world

Just as phon y as (G)it (D7)can (G)be,

But it (G7)would n’t be (C)make be (Eb7)lieve if (D7)you be lieved in me.

It's Only A Paper Moon — Falling Notes Piano Tutorial

2 people have learned this song

Watch "It's Only A Paper Moon" by E.Y. Harburg in falling notes style — like Synthesia. Color-coded notes fall onto the keyboard in real time. Practice left hand, right hand, or both. Key of G, 100 BPM.

Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.

About “It's Only A Paper Moon”

Can I learn "It's Only A Paper Moon" with falling notes like Synthesia?
Yes — Falling Notes mode shows colored note shapes dropping onto a virtual keyboard, the same visual style as Synthesia or piano-tile games. Each note's column matches the piano key you press. Works for "It's Only A Paper Moon" with hands-separate practice in G at 100 BPM.
What key is "It's Only A Paper Moon" by E.Y. Harburg played in?
It's Only A Paper Moon is arranged in the key of G on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "It's Only A Paper Moon"?
The arrangement plays at 100 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "It's Only A Paper Moon" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
Can I download sheet music for "It's Only A Paper Moon"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "It's Only A Paper Moon"?
"It's Only A Paper Moon" was originally performed by E.Y. Harburg. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What other songs by E.Y. Harburg can I play here?
Try "Look To The Rainbow", "Old Devil Moon". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can I practice left and right hand separately for "It's Only A Paper Moon"?
Yes! Our Top Down mode lets you isolate the left hand (bass clef), right hand (treble clef), or play both together. This makes it easy to master "It's Only A Paper Moon" one hand at a time before combining them.
What is falling notes style for "It's Only A Paper Moon"?
Falling notes (also known as Synthesia or piano waterfall) shows color-coded rectangles falling from the top of the screen onto a virtual keyboard. Each note's position matches the piano key you need to press. "It's Only A Paper Moon" is in the key of G at 100 BPM.