I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire
| "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| Written | 1938 |
| Genre | Pop |
| Songwriters |
|
"I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" is a pop song written by Bennie Benjamin, Eddie Durham, Sol Marcus, and Eddie Seiler.
The song was written in 1938,[1] and first recorded three years later by Harlan Leonard and His Rockets.[2] It was covered by several musicians and groups, most successfully by Horace Heidt on Columbia Records, whose version reached number one on the US pop chart; and by The Ink Spots on Decca in 1941,[3][4] whose version reached number four on the same listing. Other early versions included those by Tommy Tucker, Mitchell Ayres, and (in Britain) Vera Lynn. The song, with its open line "I don't want to set the world on fire / I just want to start a flame in your heart..." became especially popular after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.[5]
The song was later recorded by Betty Carter, Frankie Laine, Brian Hyland, Anthony Newley, Suzy Bogguss, the Muppets and others.[2]
Samples
This song was quietly sampled by thrash metal band Megadeth on their song "Set the World Afire"[6][7] on their 1988 studio album So Far, So Good... So What!
The song was also sampled by Joji (musician) in his song "Asian Pizza" on his PG3* album.[8][9][10]
The Ink Spots cover
| "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Ink Spots | |
| B-side | "Hey Doc!" |
| Released | October 1941 |
| Recorded | August 27, 1941 |
| Length | 3:07 |
| Label | Decca |
The Ink Spots' 1941 version has been featured in numerous media.
The cover has been prominently featured in the Fallout media franchise. It can be heard in the Bethesda Softworks video games Fallout 3, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76 on the in-game radio.[11][12] The cover was also used in the trailer and second episode of the first season of the 2024 television show Fallout.[13][14]
References
- ^ Tyler, Don (June 15, 2007). Hit Songs, 1900-1955: American Popular Music of the Pre-rock Era. McFarland & Company. p. 257. ISBN 9780786429462.
- ^ a b "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire | VERSIONS". SecondhandSongs.com. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ Rosalsky, Mitch (2002). Encyclopedia of Rhythm and Blues and Doo-Wop Vocal Groups. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-4592-3.
- ^ "Pop Chronicles 1940s Program #6". University of North Texas Digital Library. 1972. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ ""I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire"". Electronic Poetry Center. SUNY Buffalo. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018.
- ^ "MEGADETH | SO FAR SO GOOD... SO WHAT". metalnerdery.com. June 9, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ Christopher, Michael (January 19, 2018). "Why Megadeth Struggled Through 'So Far, So Good ... So What!'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ "Pink Guy – Asian Pizza".
- ^ TVFilthyFrank (August 4, 2017). ASIAN PIZZA. Retrieved November 10, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Pink Guy's 'Asian Pizza' sample of The Ink Spots's 'I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire'". WhoSampled. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Chism, Carlos (November 10, 2015). "The Full Diamond City Radio Playlist From Fallout 4". gamersnx.com. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ Connellan, Shannon (April 13, 2024). "'Fallout's music might be polarizing, but here's why it's perfect".
- ^ "Fallout - Official Trailer". Youtube. Prime Video. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ Berry, Alex (April 11, 2024). "Here's every song on the 'Fallout' soundtrack". NME. Retrieved April 21, 2024.