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