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Paper In Fire

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Emajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Paper in Fire - John Cougar Mellencamp (1987)
B7      x242xx  (no 3rd)
     E/Bx22100
      B5x244xx
[Intro]
      B7         E/B    B5x4
[Verse 1]
B7She had a drE/Beam and boy it was a B5good one
B7So she chased after her dE/Bream with much desB5ire
B7But when she got too cE/Blose to her expectB5ations
Well the drAeam burned Eup, like paper in fB5ire
[Chorus]
Paper in fDire, stinkin' up the B5ashtray
Paper in fAire, smokin' up the Ealley ways
Who's to sAay the way a man should spEend his days
Do you let them smAolder,   Elike paper in fB5ire?
[Verse 2]
B7He wanted lE/Bive with no involvB5ement
B7So he chased the wE/Bind that's all his silly life reqB5uired
B7And the days of E/Bvanity went on forB5ever
And he sAaw his days burn Eup, like paper in fB5ire
[Chorus]
Paper in fDire, stinkin' up the B5ashtray
Paper in fAire, smokin' up the Ealley ways
Who's to sAay the way a man should spEend his days
Do you let them smAolder,   Elike paper in fB5ire?
[Interlude]
D    B5    D    E    D    B5    E    A    D    B5
      B7         E/B    B5x2
[Verse 3]
B7There is a good life E/Bright across this green fB5ield
B7And each generation sE/Btares at it from B5afar
B7But we keep no chE/Beck on our appetB5ites
So the grAeen fields turn to brEown, like paper in fB5ire
[Chorus]
Paper in fDire, stinkin' up the B5ashtray
Paper in fAire, smokin' up the Ealley ways
Who's to sAay the way a man should spEend his days
Do you let them smAolder,   Elike paper in fB5ire?      x2
[Outro]
B7      E/B       B5
        B7     E/BPaper in fB5ire
B7      E/B       B5

All chords in this song (6)

Open

O221OO

Major chord - Happy, bright sound

✕ Mute Open Press

Skill · find home

E major

This chord is home. When a line ends, land here.

Paper In Fire

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Paper In Fire

by John Mellencamp

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

E/B

Paper in Fire - John Cougar Mellencamp (1987)

B7 x242xx (no 3rd)

E/B

x22100

x244xx

[Intro]

B7 E/B B5

[Verse 1]

B7 E/B B5

She had a dream and boy it was a good one

B7 E/B B5

So she chased after her dream with much desire

B7 E/B B5

But when she got too close to her expectations

A E B5

Well the dream burned up, like paper in fire

[Chorus]

D B5

Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtray

A E

Paper in fire, smokin' up the alley ways

A E

Who's to say the way a man should spend his days

A E B5

Do you let them smolder, like paper in fire?

[Verse 2]

B7 E/B B5

He wanted live with no involvement

B7 E/B B5

So he chased the wind that's all his silly life required

B7 E/B B5

And the days of vanity went on forever

A E B5

And he saw his days burn up, like paper in fire

[Chorus]

D B5

Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtray

A E

Paper in fire, smokin' up the alley ways

A E

Who's to say the way a man should spend his days

A E B5

Do you let them smolder, like paper in fire?

[Interlude]

D B5 D E D B5 E A D B5

B7 E/B B5

[Verse 3]

B7 E/B B5

There is a good life right across this green field

B7 E/B B5

And each generation stares at it from afar

B7 E/B B5

But we keep no check on our appetites

A E B5

So the green fields turn to brown, like paper in fire

[Chorus]

D B5

Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtray

A E

Paper in fire, smokin' up the alley ways

A E

Who's to say the way a man should spend his days

A E B5

Do you let them smolder, like paper in fire? x2

[Outro]

B7 E/B B5

Paper in fire

B7 E/B B5

About Paper In Fire Chords by John Mellencamp

Learn how to play Paper In Fire by John Mellencamp with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Paper In Fire chords”, “Paper In Fire guitar chords”, or “John Mellencamp Paper In Fire chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Paper In Fire chords and for experienced players who want accurate Paper In Fire lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include B7, E/B, B5, A, E, D.

FAQ — Paper In Fire by John Mellencamp

How do I play "Paper In Fire" by John Mellencamp on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Paper In Fire" by John Mellencamp on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Paper In Fire" by John Mellencamp free?

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Can I transpose "Paper In Fire" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Paper In Fire" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Paper In Fire"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Paper In Fire" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Paper In Fire" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Paper In Fire" by John Mellencamp with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Mellencamp below.

What key is "Paper In Fire" in?

The chords for "Paper In Fire" show the original chord names (including B7, E/B, B5, A, E, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.