"Paper in Fire" is a song by American rock singer

John Mellencamp John J. Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrumentation ...

, released on August 15, 1987, as the first single from his ninth studio album ''

The Lonesome Jubilee ''The Lonesome Jubilee'' is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter John Cougar Mellencamp (credited as simply Mellencamp on pressings). The album was released by Mercury Records on August 24, 1987 (see 1987 in music). Four singles ...

''. The song was a commercial success, reaching number 9 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. It also topped the ''Billboard''

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chart and the

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, and charted on various European singles charts. Mellencamp biographer David Masciotra called it a "ferocious song" that is the "aural equivalent of a wild beast breaking out of its cage." Masciotra describes it as having a

libertarian Libertarianism (from ; or from ) is a political philosophy that holds freedom, personal sovereignty, and liberty as primary values. Many libertarians believe that the concept of freedom is in accord with the Non-Aggression Principle, according ...

theme. Mellencamp has said that the song is about his uncle Joe Mellencamp, who could be cruel to others and his own worst enemy, saying that "'Paper in Fire' is about Joe, and the family's ingrained anger...It is tragic when families don't grow up." ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', is an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' said that " AOR will undoubtedly benefit from this one - as will Top 40 radio, music video saturation is guaranteed."

Track listing

;7" single # "Paper in Fire" – 3:53 # "Never Too Old" – 3:45 ;CDV single # "Paper in Fire" – 3:48 # "Never Too Old" – 3:43 # "Under the Boardwalk" – 3:51 # "Cold Sweat" – 3:23 # "Paper in Fire" (video) – 3:57

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

{{Authority control 1987 singles John Mellencamp songs Songs written by John Mellencamp 1987 songs Mercury Records singles Song recordings produced by Don Gehman