In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
She had a dream
And boy it was a good one
So she chased after her dream
With much desire
But when she get too close
To her expectations
Well the dream burned up
Like paper in fire
Paper in fire
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking 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
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking 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 the green fields
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
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking 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 get too close
To her expectations
Well the dream burned up
Like paper in fire
Paper in fire
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking 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
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking 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 the green fields
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
Stinking up the ashtrays
Paper in fire
Smoking up the alleyways
Who's to say the way
A man should spend his days
Do you let them smolder
Like paper in fire
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Paper in Fire is a brilliant Mellencamp Classic Rocker! In this loud rocker, the Cat Named Johnny Rebel in the Coda/Finale writes the last half of the song. It is Subtitled Farmer's Lament, In it, Farmer Meowing Cat Mellencamp writes "There is a good life/Right across the green fields/Each generation stares at it from afar/But no checks are kept on our appetites/So the green fields turn to brown/Like Paper in Fire!" The backbone of America is broken. If we don't save the farmers and the family farm, America will be a third world country! So let's eat a steak at a sports bar, get our Peaches and Beans from a farmers market and let's have a chocolate ice cream while summer is still here. Mellencamp will thank you for it! Purr and Meow!
Does no one recognize John Mellencamp's genius?
+1 little pink houses...
I do!
Verse one is someone who is working hard towards accomplishing a lifelong goal, but when they are about to achieve that goal, it turns out life wasn't what they expected it to be.
Verse two is about a man who just wants friends with benefits hops from bed to bed and relationship to relationship. Eventually he grows old and unattractive and ends up alone because he never took the time to find real love.
Verse three is all about the afterlife. The green fields represent heaven and it's something we all long for Keeping our appetites in check involves giving your life to Christ and turning away from your sinful behavior. Not doing so will cause the green fields to brown and burn, which represents hell.