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Thursday, November 8, 2018

I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire

By Bennie Benjamin, Eddie Durham, Sol Marcus and Eddie Seiler
1938

Although written before World War II, this love ballad became an anthem of separated wartime couples due to the fact that it wasn't recorded until just prior to the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, and due to its lyrics about "setting the world on fire". The song was introduced by Harlan Leonard and His Rockets, but the major number one hit came soon after from Horace Heidt. The Ink Spots (pictured) had a number-three hit with it, but it's this version that is perhaps best know today. Oddly enough, it inspired a 1988 recording by the heavy metal band Megadeth called "Set the World Afire".

Lyrics: 
I don't want to set the world on fire
I just want to start a flame in your heart
In my heart I have but one desire
And that one is you, no other will do
I've lost all ambition for worldly acclaim
I just want to be the one you love
And with your admission that you'd feel the same
I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of, believe me
I don't want to set the world on fire
I just want to start a flame in your heart
Recorded By:
Frankie Laine
Betty Carter
Vera Lynn
Fats Domino
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians

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