E 
I found him by the stage last night 
       D                  A 
He was breathing his last breath 
  E 
A bottle of wine and a cigarette 
    D                A 
Was all that he had left 

"I can see you make the music 
           D             E 
'Cause you carry a guitar 
A 
God help the troubadour 
    F#m                 G 
Who tries to be a star" 

        G#  A       G         A 
        So play the chords of love, my friend 
                 G         A 
        Play the chords of pain 
                       D              A 
        If you want to keep your song, 
                          E        A        G             A 
        Don't, don't, don't, don't play the chords of fame 

I 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 day 
Reporters ask you questions 
They write down what you say 

(Chorus) 

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 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