John Mellencamp — Paper In Fire
Album: The Lonesome JubileeAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1220
Length: 3:47
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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
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 them smolder
Like paper in fire
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
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 them smolder
Like 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
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 them smolder
Like paper in fire
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 them smolder
Like paper in fire
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
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 them smolder
Like paper in fire
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
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 them smolder
Like 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
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 them smolder
Like paper in fire
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 them smolder
Like paper in fire
Comments (65)add comment
The older I get the more I appreciate John Mellencamp
jnhashmi wrote:
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So underrated, Mellencamp is. One of America's greatest songwriters.
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SUPERB!!! Thank You RP! 
So underrated, Mellencamp is. One of America's greatest songwriters.
Do you know how there are certain songs that immediately take you back to another place and time? This is one of those for me. And from the first chord this song is immediately recognizable. I was a pimply-faced high school student on my way to college living on the south shore of Montreal trying to figure life out, find balance between hanging out with my buddies and also get serious with my then-girlfriend (hi, Tania!) and working at our local Chinese restaurant. Truly the best of times in hindsight and oh, how I wish for those much simpler times sometimes. I knew nothing of stress, per se, and my recollections were that everyday was just a really good day. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Okay, now back to work!
ace-marc wrote:
Bill you are killing me.
Such great taste and such an amazing radio station yet you play Cougar and Counting Crows and Cranberries - yuck.
You gotta problem with bands that start with the letter "C"? Such great taste and such an amazing radio station yet you play Cougar and Counting Crows and Cranberries - yuck.
SchoepTone wrote:
Yes. Can still listen to this album straight through and enjoy it as I did when it came out. Have always loved Lisa Germano on violin.
JM was kinda revolutionary in the time of this album . . . adding the Appalachian flavor to popular 80's radio music. I dig it.
Yes. Can still listen to this album straight through and enjoy it as I did when it came out. Have always loved Lisa Germano on violin.
vanillagorilla wrote:
a tad harsh. perhaps pedestrian at best.
This guy has never made me want to not change the station no matter what radio I'm listening to....horrible
a tad harsh. perhaps pedestrian at best.
Little man make big rock and roll
JM was kinda revolutionary in the time of this album . . . adding the Appalachian flavor to popular 80's radio music. I dig it.
Just bought this album. It's incredible and I never would have known about it if not for RP! Thanks Bill and Rebecca. 
jp33442 wrote:
Yeah... played to death in 1987-88 and barely since.
Damn bill another mellencamp song that got played to death NEXT
Yeah... played to death in 1987-88 and barely since.
3Dave wrote:
It seems we never do.
It never ceases to amaze me that there are a certain handful of artists on RP thay the music trolls love to come out with their dripping bile of hatred every single time... whether it's Bono or Gabriel it's the same baseless rhetoric that just nothing but being contrary... but with the fellow Hoosier Mellencamp there's always a bit MORE of masochistic curiosity that is like slowing down driving past a car crash, or sticking my tongue in the sore in my mouth, that makes me go to the comments...and I certainly did not have to scroll far....
It seems we never do.
dwhayslett wrote:
That could be the single most ludicrous thing you've posted in your time here, which is quite an accomplishment.
yeah, you're right - I actually counted.
I have 1942 songs I could recommend that are better.
That could be the single most ludicrous thing you've posted in your time here, which is quite an accomplishment.
yeah, you're right - I actually counted.
I have 1942 songs I could recommend that are better.
ace-marc wrote:
That could be the single most ludicrous thing you've posted in your time here, which is quite an accomplishment.
please consult me before
That could be the single most ludicrous thing you've posted in your time here, which is quite an accomplishment.
Bill, please consult me before playing Cougar again.
I have no less than 700 other songs you could play that would have the level of quality we expect from RP.
I have no less than 700 other songs you could play that would have the level of quality we expect from RP.
Nice segue: "Cumberland Gap" by Jason Isbell --> this.
Big fan of Mr. M and this disc in particular. So cool that Bill does too. I can understand how people don't dig it, but I find the pop sprinkling here and there refreshing.
ace-marc wrote:
Should we all consult you as to what we should listen to? This is what RP is all about. Don't like it? Go back to AM Top 10 Radio.
Bill you are killing me.
Such great taste and such an amazing radio station yet you play Cougar and Counting Crows and Cranberries - yuck.
Such great taste and such an amazing radio station yet you play Cougar and Counting Crows and Cranberries - yuck.
Should we all consult you as to what we should listen to? This is what RP is all about. Don't like it? Go back to AM Top 10 Radio.
I used to like this guy a little when I was a young lad. Now I love the guy. He is the real deal, as they say.
antennadad wrote:
Conversely, I like a sprinkling of Rock-Pop or virtually whatever B and R play. I always really liked John Cougar and Mellencamp. Eclectic mix does not mean "excluding popular songs you don't like" so just go with the flow, dude.
Bill has established a high level of quality with the outstanding range and far reaching scope of varied music he plays. Those artists don't make the cut. They are sucko-barfo even on top 40 stations. By playing them he brings big blemishes to an otherwise fine complexion of the amazing Radio Paradise.
Conversely, I like a sprinkling of Rock-Pop or virtually whatever B and R play. I always really liked John Cougar and Mellencamp. Eclectic mix does not mean "excluding popular songs you don't like" so just go with the flow, dude.
Bill has established a high level of quality with the outstanding range and far reaching scope of varied music he plays. Those artists don't make the cut. They are sucko-barfo even on top 40 stations. By playing them he brings big blemishes to an otherwise fine complexion of the amazing Radio Paradise.
Damn bill another mellencamp song that got played to death NEXT
One of the better songs you would have heard on top-40 radio in the late 80s.
I went to the Lonesome Jubilee concert back in the 80's and to this day it's still one of my all time favorite shows. This is definitely my favorite Mellencamp album. 
lizardking wrote:
we all speak of desert island music, but no one really talks about the fantasy funeral playlist most of us muse about - or make. hopefully they're different. good choices lizard. just the music can let you get to know someone a bit better.
lizardking wrote:
Come on now BillG, how did you know that this artist coupled with Bruddah Iz ("Somewhere over the Rainbow) and John Lennon ("Imagine") would hit me so hard in the gut? The CD I made for my mom's funeral in 2008 featured "Jack and Diane" (#5) preceeded by by Somewhere over the Rainbow at #3 and Imagine at #4.
I know I tried to post a comment on this track a few months ago - before I figured out that the Android App doesn't actually post comments (for me at least) - and I think what I wanted to comment on back in March was that this is one of my favorite of his post "Cougar" songs.
Both my mom (Diane, well really it was Dyan) and my stepmom loved the John Cougar phase, esp. my mom because he sang a song about a Diane. And my stepmom because she had a crush on him.
All that said, since I was a kid when that stuff was coming out, hearing it now makes me think of the good ol' days. This track too. And thanks to BillG for playing the NEW Mellencamp....the guy really does rock!
Long Live RP!
Both my mom (Diane, well really it was Dyan) and my stepmom loved the John Cougar phase, esp. my mom because he sang a song about a Diane. And my stepmom because she had a crush on him.
All that said, since I was a kid when that stuff was coming out, hearing it now makes me think of the good ol' days. This track too. And thanks to BillG for playing the NEW Mellencamp....the guy really does rock!
Long Live RP!
Come on now BillG, how did you know that this artist coupled with Bruddah Iz ("Somewhere over the Rainbow) and John Lennon ("Imagine") would hit me so hard in the gut? The CD I made for my mom's funeral in 2008 featured "Jack and Diane" (#5) preceeded by by Somewhere over the Rainbow at #3 and Imagine at #4.
we all speak of desert island music, but no one really talks about the fantasy funeral playlist most of us muse about - or make. hopefully they're different. good choices lizard. just the music can let you get to know someone a bit better.
It never ceases to amaze me that there are a certain handful of artists on RP thay the music trolls love to come out with their dripping bile of hatred every single time... whether it's Bono or Gabriel it's the same baseless rhetoric that just nothing but being contrary... but with the fellow Hoosier Mellencamp there's always a bit MORE of masochistic curiosity that is like slowing down driving past a car crash, or sticking my tongue in the sore in my mouth, that makes me go to the comments...and I certainly did not have to scroll far....
ace-marc wrote:
Conversely, I like a sprinkling of Rock-Pop or virtually whatever B and R play. I always really liked John Cougar and Mellencamp. Eclectic mix does not mean "excluding popular songs you don't like" so just go with the flow, dude.
Bill you are killing me.
Such great taste and such an amazing radio station yet you play Cougar and Counting Crows and Cranberries - yuck.
Such great taste and such an amazing radio station yet you play Cougar and Counting Crows and Cranberries - yuck.
Conversely, I like a sprinkling of Rock-Pop or virtually whatever B and R play. I always really liked John Cougar and Mellencamp. Eclectic mix does not mean "excluding popular songs you don't like" so just go with the flow, dude.
Bill you are killing me.
Such great taste and such an amazing radio station yet you play Cougar and Counting Crows and Cranberries - yuck.
Such great taste and such an amazing radio station yet you play Cougar and Counting Crows and Cranberries - yuck.
we currently have this happening in the Mendocino/lake going on right now
lizardking wrote:
Come on now BillG, how did you know that this artist coupled with Bruddah Iz ("Somewhere over the Rainbow) and John Lennon ("Imagine") would hit me so hard in the gut? The CD I made for my mom's funeral in 2008 featured "Jack and Diane" (#5) preceeded by by Somewhere over the Rainbow at #3 and Imagine at #4.
I know I tried to post a comment on this track a few months ago - before I figured out that the Android App doesn't actually post comments (for me at least) - and I think what I wanted to comment on back in March was that this is one of my favorite of his post "Cougar" songs.
Both my mom (Diane, well really it was Dyan) and my stepmom loved the John Cougar phase, esp. my mom because he sang a song about a Diane. And my stepmom because she had a crush on him.
All that said, since I was a kid when that stuff was coming out, hearing it now makes me think of the good ol' days. This track too. And thanks to BillG for playing the NEW Mellencamp....the guy really does rock!
Long Live RP!
Come on now BillG, how did you know that this artist coupled with Bruddah Iz ("Somewhere over the Rainbow) and John Lennon ("Imagine") would hit me so hard in the gut? The CD I made for my mom's funeral in 2008 featured "Jack and Diane" (#5) preceeded by by Somewhere over the Rainbow at #3 and Imagine at #4.
I've always respected his work tho never had a CD, Does his own thing
This guy has never made me want to not change the station no matter what radio I'm listening to....horrible
I know I tried to post a comment on this track a few months ago - before I figured out that the Android App doesn't actually post comments (for me at least) - and I think what I wanted to comment on back in March was that this is one of my favorite of his post "Cougar" songs.
Both my mom (Diane, well really it was Dyan) and my stepmom loved the John Cougar phase, esp. my mom because he sang a song about a Diane. And my stepmom because she had a crush on him.
All that said, since I was a kid when that stuff was coming out, hearing it now makes me think of the good ol' days. This track too. And thanks to BillG for playing the NEW Mellencamp....the guy really does rock!
Long Live RP!
WonderLizard wrote:
Tighter than Dicks Hatband
Always had the tightest band in town—sorry, Bruce.
Tighter than Dicks Hatband
bm.deavenport613 wrote:
John Mellencamp isn't one of my faves, but this is a really good song.
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.
Not one of my faves by John Mellencamp, but I can hum along to it.
John Mellencamp isn't one of my faves, but this is a really good song.
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.
Like this song
Not one of my faves by John Mellencamp, but I can hum along to it.
Forgot how much I like this song. Glad to hear it on this Sunday morning.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
BILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
DON'T MIX
PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
BILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
DON'T MIX
PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Flip_flops wrote:
Does it deter giant black birds from landing on your couch?
I have a brand new Scarecrow album framed hung on my wall!!!
Does it deter giant black birds from landing on your couch?
Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
That's how it usually is for most artists.
Probably Mellencamp's best album though not his most commercially successful.
That's how it usually is for most artists.
Probably Mellencamp's best album though not his most commercially successful.
I have a brand new Scarecrow album framed hung on my wall!!!
Mellencamp is always a 10 for me!
GREAT ALBUM!!
GREAT ALBUM!!
Holy crap, I remember growing up listening to this sogn. This is the first of my parents album I learned to identify as a young kid, just before It's Hard and Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.
This is fine Mellencamp. I can appreciate this tune. I'm not a huge JM fan, but I do like what he does bring to the surface with this tune.
Hurry Jason bring the mason!
Urp plop, bring the mop
Urp plop, bring the mop
Nice!
I agree Bill. I saw him 4 times back in the day and The Lonesome Jubilee tour was the best of them.
oldsaxon wrote:
I often think Mellencamp takes a lot of crap because he's popular. I like his stuff. It's fun. It's clever and it's often very socially relevant. I like it, no apologies. He's good.
Where I come from there was a great music video show on Friday nights called "Soundproof" I miss those guys. Very funny and very not MTV.
I'd be happier to hear this song if it hadn't been beaten to death back in the day. And there's a lot of formula cluttering up the good ideas he has in this one. But yes, he puts out some great stuff while he's wandering around in America's back yard during the long summer days of his music.
I often think Mellencamp takes a lot of crap because he's popular. I like his stuff. It's fun. It's clever and it's often very socially relevant. I like it, no apologies. He's good.
Where I come from there was a great music video show on Friday nights called "Soundproof" I miss those guys. Very funny and very not MTV.
I'd be happier to hear this song if it hadn't been beaten to death back in the day. And there's a lot of formula cluttering up the good ideas he has in this one. But yes, he puts out some great stuff while he's wandering around in America's back yard during the long summer days of his music.
When he's good he's damn good!
Always had the tightest band in town--sorry, Bruce.
Kenny Aronoff
Meloncamp wow!!! Especially for Stingrays
Stingray wrote:
My exact reaction...particularly this song
Mellencamp on RP?
What a rare but good thing!
My exact reaction...particularly this song
Forgot all about this song ... it was always one of my favorite JM songs. Seems lots of people don't like him — personally, I think a lot of men don't like him because he's so cocky.
Mellencamp on RP?
What a rare but good thing!
Good memories of this song and the time it was released. Going to dig out those JM albums.
This must be one of the best JM songs ever!
Whow, only the 4th comment untill now in all those years!
Like the song! Doesn't seem to be 25 years old...!
Like the song! Doesn't seem to be 25 years old...!
basilandroses wrote:
I often think Mellencamp takes a lot of crap because he's popular. I like his stuff. It's fun. It's clever and it's often very socially relevant. I like it, no apologies. He's good.
Where I come from there was a great music video show on Friday nights called "Soundproof" I miss those guys. Very funny and very not MTV.
the first time I heard this song was on MTV (when they used to play music...) I've always thought its one of those underappreciated jems that capture the essence of rock and roll with a dash of appalachia and a handful of soul
I often think Mellencamp takes a lot of crap because he's popular. I like his stuff. It's fun. It's clever and it's often very socially relevant. I like it, no apologies. He's good.
Where I come from there was a great music video show on Friday nights called "Soundproof" I miss those guys. Very funny and very not MTV.
basilandroses wrote:
WOW! Not a single comment for over 6 years? "Underappreciated" - - - just atouch of understatement there.
the first time I heard this song was on MTV (when they used to play music...) I've always thought its one of those underappreciated jems that capture the essence of rock and roll with a dash of appalachia and a handful of soul
WOW! Not a single comment for over 6 years? "Underappreciated" - - - just atouch of understatement there.
the first time I heard this song was on MTV (when they used to play music...) I've always thought its one of those underappreciated jems that capture the essence of rock and roll with a dash of appalachia and a handful of soul