I found him by the stage last night, he was breathing his last breath
A bottle of gin and a cigarette was all what he had left
Well, I know that you make music 'cause you carry a guitar
But God help the troubadour who tries to be a star

Come on and play the chords of love, my friend
Play the chords of fame
But if you want to keep your song, do mi, do mi do
Don't play the chords of fame, oh no, no

You know I've seen my share of hustlers as they try to take the world
And when they find a melody, they're surrounded by the girls
But it all fades so quickly like a sunny summer day
Reporters ask you questions and they write down what you say

Come on and play the chords of love, my friend
Play the chords of fame
But if you want to keep your song, do mi, do mi do
Don't play the chords of fame, oh no, no

They'll rob you of your innocence, and put you up for sale
The more that you will find success, the more that you will fail
I've been around, I've had my share, and I really can't complain
But I wonder who I left behind on the other side of fame

Come on and play the chords of love, my friend
Play the chords of fame
But if you want to keep your song, do mi, do mi do
Don't play the chords of fame, oh no, no
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
Don't, oh don't, don't play the chords of fame
Don't, oh don't, don't play the chords of fame
Don't...