Chords of Fame - Jad Fair, Daniel Johnston

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

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

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

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

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

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

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