Paper in Fire

"Paper in Fire"
Single by John Cougar Mellencamp
from the album The Lonesome Jubilee
B-side"Never Too Old"
ReleasedAugust 15, 1987 (1987-08-15)
StudioBelmont Mall (Indiana, US)
Genre
Length3:51
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)John Mellencamp
Producer(s)
John Cougar Mellencamp singles chronology
"Rumbleseat"
(1986) 		"Paper in Fire"
(1987) 		"Cherry Bomb"
(1987)

"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.

Background and composition

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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

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

Track listings

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Pollock, Bruce (March 18, 2014). Rock Song Index: The 7500 Most Important Songs for the Rock and Roll Era. Routledge. p. 276. ISBN 978-1-135-46296-3.
  2. ^ Himes, Geoffrey (July 22, 1992). "JOHN MELLENCAMP". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Masciotra, David (2022). Mellencamp: American Troubadour. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 99–100, 140. ISBN 9780813195582.
  4. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. August 22, 1987. p. 8. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 47. November 21, 1987. p. 66.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0893." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  8. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 42, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  9. ^ "John Cougar Mellencamp – Paper in Fire" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  10. ^ "John Cougar Mellencamp – Paper in Fire". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  11. ^ "South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969–1989 Acts (M)". www.rock.co.za. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  12. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  13. ^ "John Mellencamp Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  14. ^ "John Mellencamp Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  15. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.
  16. ^ "Australian Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Australian Music Report. Retrieved December 11, 2019 – via Imgur.
  17. ^ "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. Retrieved July 9, 2025 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  18. ^ "No. 1 Awards: Top Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. December 26, 1987. p. Y-31.
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