[Verse 1]
I found him by the stage last night
He was breathing his last breath
A needle full of heroin was all that he had left
I can see that you make music
'Cause you carry your guitar
But god help the troubadour
Who tries to be a star

[Chorus]
So play the chords of love my friends
Play the chords of pain
But if you want to keep your songs
Don't, don't, don't
Don't play the chords of fame

[Verse 2]
I've seen my share of hustlers
As they've tried to take the world
When they find their melody
They're surrounded by the girls
But it all fades so quickly
Like a sunny summer day
Reporters ask the questions
They write down what you say
[Chorus]
So play the chords of love my friends
Play the chords of pain
But if you want to keep your songs
Don't, don't, don't
Don't play the chords of fame

[Verse 3]
They'll rob you of your innocence
They'll 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
The other side of fame

[Chorus]
So play the chords of love my friends
Play the chords of pain
But if you want to keep your songs
Don't, don't, don't
Don't play the chords of fame

[Verse 4]
They're gonna put me in the movies
They're gonna make a big star outta me
I play the bar and I won't need rehearsing
'Cause all I gotta do is act naturally