Paper in Fire

"Paper in Fire" is a song by American rock singer John Mellencamp, released on August 15, 1987, as the first single from his ninth studio album The Lonesome Jubilee. The song was a commercial success, reaching number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. It was also successful in Canada, where it topped The Record's singles chart and peaked at number three on the RPM 100 Singles chart.

"Paper in Fire"
Single by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album The Lonesome Jubilee
B-side	"Never Too Old"
Released	August 15, 1987 (1987-08-15)
Studio	Belmont Mall (Indiana, US)
Genre	Heartland rock roots rock[1] country rock[2]
Length	3:51
Label	Mercury
Songwriter(s)	John Mellencamp
Producer(s)	John Mellencamp Don Gehman
John Cougar Mellencamp singles chronology
"Rumbleseat" (1986) "Paper in Fire" (1987) "Cherry Bomb" (1987)

Background and composition

Mellencamp biographer David Masciotra called "Paper in Fire" a "ferocious song" that is the "aural equivalent of a wild beast breaking out of its cage." ^[3] Masciotra describes it as having a libertarian theme.^[3] 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."^[3]

Critical reception

Cash Box said that "AOR will undoubtedly benefit from this one - as will Top 40 radio, music video saturation is guaranteed."^[4]

Track listings

7-inch single

1. "Paper in Fire" – 3:53
2. "Never Too Old" – 3:45

CDV single

1. "Paper in Fire" – 3:48
2. "Never Too Old" – 3:43
3. "Under the Boardwalk" – 3:51
4. "Cold Sweat" – 3:23
5. "Paper in Fire" (video) – 3:57

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1987) Peak position Australia (Australian Music Report)[5] 13 Canada (The Record)[6] 1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 3 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[8] 30 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] 29 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] 16 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[11] 8 UK Singles (OCC)[12] 86 US Billboard Hot 100[13] 9 US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[14] 1 US Cash Box Top 100[15] 10

Year-end charts Chart (1987) Position Australia (Australian Music Report)[16] 79 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[17] 43 US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[18] 10