I DON'T WANT TO SET THE WORLD ON FIRE - Free Jazz Leadsheet

Written by Bennie Benjamin, Eddie Durham, Sol Marcus, and Eddie Seiler in 1941, "i don't want to set the world on fire" combines romantic longing with wartime sentiment. Its lyrics reflect a personal desire for love over grand ambition.

The first recording, by The Ink Spots in New York, 1941, featured their signature harmonies and smooth vocal delivery. Its melody and harmonic structure allow for lyrical interpretation and subtle improvisation.

Later versions maintained the song's tender, reflective character, and it became associated with both jazz vocal groups and pop reinterpretations.