Found him by the stage last night

He was breathing his last breath

A bottle of gin and a cigarette

was all that he had left

I can see you making music

cause you carry your guitar

God help the troubadour

who tries to be a star



[Chorus]

So play the chords of love my friend

play the chords of fame

If you wanna keep your soul

don't, don't, don't

don't play the chords of fame



I've seen my share of hustlers

as they try 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's day

The foreigners ask the questions

they write down what you say



So play the chords of love

my friend

play the chords of fame

If you wanna keep your soul

don't, don't, don't

don't play the chords of fame



[repeat Chorus 1x]



They'll rob you of your innocence

they will put you up for sale

The more that you will find success

the more that you will fail

I've been around 

I have my share

and I really can't complain

But I wonder who I left behind

the other side of fame



So play the chords of love

my friend

play the chords of fame

If you wanna keep your soul

don't, don't, don't

don't play the chords of fame