Song of the Day 8/4: The King Cole Trio, “It’s Only a Paper Moon”

I heard this tune the other day and it struck me that this should be the theme song of MAGA World, sung by Donald Trump, because it’s basically the credo of the conman set to music.

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

The song was the first collaboration between composer Harold Arlen and lyricist Yip Harburg, who six years later provided the songs for “The Wizard of Oz.” Originally titled “If You Believed in Me, ” the tune highlighted a 1932 Broadway show called “The Great Magoo” that closed after 11 performances. The song became a popular big-band choice regardless, with a half-dozen covers released in 1933; the versions by Cliff Edward and Paul Whiteman’s orchestra were hits. But it faded away soon after, until it was revived in 1944 by the King Cole Trio. Nat was still known as much for his piano playing as his singing at that point, as this arrangement makes clear.

That version didn’t chart, but Ella Fitzgerald’s did the next year, and it wasn’t long before the song was considered a jazz standard. It’s since been recorded by more than 400 artists. Cole himself recorded it several times; my favorite arrangement, featuring some great interplay between Cole and trumpeter Harry “Sweets” Edison, can be found on his album “After Midnight.”