Aug. 15, 19871 viewer5K views
Paper in Fire Lyrics
[Verse 1]
She had a dream, and boy, it was a good one
So she chased after her dream with much desire
But when she got too close to her expectations
Well, the dream burned up like paper in fire
[Chorus]
Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire, smokin' up the alleyways
Who's to say the way a man should spend his days?
Do you let it smolder like paper in fire?
[Verse 2]
He wanted love with no involvement
So he chased the wind, that's all his silly life required
And the days of vanity went on forever
And he saw his days burn up like paper in fire
[Chorus]
Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire, smokin' up the alleyways
Who's to say the way a man should spend his days?
Do you let it smolder like paper in fire?
[Instrumental Break]
She had a dream, and boy, it was a good one
So she chased after her dream with much desire
But when she got too close to her expectations
Well, the dream burned up like paper in fire
[Chorus]
Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire, smokin' up the alleyways
Who's to say the way a man should spend his days?
Do you let it smolder like paper in fire?
[Verse 2]
He wanted love with no involvement
So he chased the wind, that's all his silly life required
And the days of vanity went on forever
And he saw his days burn up like paper in fire
[Chorus]
Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire, smokin' up the alleyways
Who's to say the way a man should spend his days?
Do you let it smolder like paper in fire?
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
There's a good life right across this green field
And each generation stares at it from afar
But we keep no check on our appetites
So the green fields turn to brown like paper in fire
[Chorus]
Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire, blowin' down the alleyways
Who's to say the way a man should spend his days?
Do you let them smolder like paper in fire?
Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire, blowin' down the alleyways
Who's to say the way a man should spend his days?
Do you let them smolder like paper in fire?
[Outro]
Paper in fire
There's a good life right across this green field
And each generation stares at it from afar
But we keep no check on our appetites
So the green fields turn to brown like paper in fire
[Chorus]
Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire, blowin' down the alleyways
Who's to say the way a man should spend his days?
Do you let them smolder like paper in fire?
Paper in fire, stinkin' up the ashtrays
Paper in fire, blowin' down the alleyways
Who's to say the way a man should spend his days?
Do you let them smolder like paper in fire?
[Outro]
Paper in fire
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Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
What did John Mellencamp say about "Paper in Fire"?
Genius Answer
A song like “Paper In Fire”…I didn’t really have to title the song, it titled itself. That was the only logical, creative choice. There’s nothing else to call that song."
–Via AmericanSongwriter (2005)
- 1.Paper in Fire
- 3.Check It Out
- 5.Cherry Bomb
- 7.Empty Hands
- 10.Rooty Toot Toot
Credits
Producers
Writer
Recorded At
Belmont Mall Studio (Belmont, IN)
Release Date
August 15, 1987
Paper in Fire Covers
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