Ochs I found him by the stage last night, He was breathing his last breath, A bottle of gin and a cigarette Was all he had left. Well, I know that you make music 'Cause you carry your 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 wanna keep your song, no no no, 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 their melody They're surrounded by the girls. But it all fades so quickly Like a sunny summer day; Reporters ask you questions And may write down what you say.
So come on and play The chords of love my friend, Play the chords of fame But if you wanna keep your song, no no no, Don't play the chords of fame, oh no no. They'll rob you of your innocence, They'll put you up for sale, The more that you will find succes, The more that you will fail. I'd been around, I had my share And I really can't complain But I wonder who I left behind On the other side of fame Oh come on and play The chords of love my friend, Play the chords of fame But if you wanna keep your song, no no no, Don't play the chords of fame, oh no. No, oh don't play the chords of fame, Oh don't, no don't, don't play the chords of fame.