Today’s song dates from 1933. Written by Arlen, Harburg and Rose, It’s Only A Paper Moon first appeared in the unsuccessful Broadway play The Great Magoo, and then was used in the film Take A Chance. It grew in popularity when versions by Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald were recorded in the 1940s.

There are more songs from the 1930s here. If it’s your first time on the site, find out more about the 365 Songs project or see all of my September songs here.