While numerous personnel changes have taken place within the group in its 60+ years of existence, the familiar close harmonies remain The Ink Spots' stock in trade. Making up the current group are bass singer-narrator Harold Winley, second lead Sonny Hatchett, lead tenor Grant Kitchings; and the newest Ink Spot, baritone and guitarist, Morris Dow.
The Ink Spots' story begins in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1932, when four young men - Deek Watson, Charles Fuqua, Orville "Hoppy" Jones and Jerry Daniels - formed the first version of the group. The quartet performed as the Riff Brothers and the Percolating Puppies before settling on the Ink Spots name. In search of a recording contract, the group headed to New York City, where they met up with singer Bill Kenny, who replaced Daniels as the group's lead tenor in 1936. Three years later, The Ink Spots had their first million-selling record, If I Didn't Care. The song, which would be their biggest hit, ultimately sold 19 million copies.
Kenny left the group for a solo career in 1945. The replacement was Jim Nabbie and the hits continued over the next decade; I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire, To Each His Own, My Prayer, I'll Never Smile Again, A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening, Java Jive, Maybe, Into Each Life Some Rain May Fall, We Three, It's A Sin To Tell A Lie, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Prisoner of Love ... and on and on. After the remaining original members left the group, it was up to Nabbie to keep things going. Frustrated by acts billing themselves as The Ink Spots, Nabbie acquired the rights to the Ink Spots' name and registered it as a trademark. While the frequency of hits slowed in the mid '50's, The Ink Spots' influence was heard in the many doo-wop vocal groups formed during this period, as well as many groups, like the Temptations, which would come along later. The Ink Spots' musical impact was recognized formally in 1987 when inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. They have been inducted into the Apollo Hall of Fame and, in 1997, into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Nabbie and the rest of the Ink Spots continued to tour, in the neighborhood of some 200 dates a year. Especially pleasing were the 10 to 20 college dates the group would perform each year, where young people, many of whose parents weren't born at the time of The Ink Spots' first hits, would get their first chance to hear the quartet. Nabbie claimed that he was always amazed that younger audiences would accept the "old timers" music so enthusiastically.
In September 1992, Jim Nabbie, "Mr. Ink Spots" for 47 years, passed away, just before the start of an European tour. The Ink Spots were faced suddenly with the prospect of carrying on without their longtime friend and colleague.
More recently, the band has been introduced to a new, or perhaps, younger audience through the highly successful 'Fallout ' series of RPGs, which features the songs 'I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire' (Fallout 3) and 'Maybe' (Fallout).
But carry on the group has! Grant, who had been with The Ink Spots many years ago, was welcomed immediately by audiences with standing ovations. And so it appears that The Ink Spots will remain a viable musical entity for many years to come.
The Ink Spots Bios:
HAROLD WINLEY
Bass Singer/Narrator
His association with The Ink Spots goes back more than fifty years; before he became an original member of THE CLOVERS. It is now more than twenty-five years that he has been performing with THE INK SPOTS on a continual basis. The deep resonance of his voice has thrilled audiences worldwide. He is the "intellectual" of the group and is interested in everything and anything . . . but photography and music are his passions. Born in Washington, DC where most of his family still resides, he was a resident of New York City for many years. He now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
SONNY HATCHETT
Second Lead/Second Tenor
Sonny is the Group's comedian . . . both on-stage and off-stage . . . and has appeared as a single artist nationally and internationally. Sonny has many comedy albums to his credit. He is also a songwriter and comedy writer and you'll often see his smiling face in movies and commercials filmed in the Miami area. He has been a member of THE INK SPOTS for more than twenty-five years and has earned his nickname of "Twinkle Toes" for his intricate steps on stage. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he now makes his home in the Fort Lauderdale area.
HERMAN DENBY
Lead Tenor
When Grant Kitchings (lead singer 1995-2001) became ill while performing with THE INK SPOTS on the Mississippi Queen, Herman responded immediately and was on the next flight to New Orleans. Those were big shoes to fill, but he did so very well. We are proud to have Herman as a permanent member of the group now that Grant has sadly passed. Herman is a very modest man but he is a published poet, a writer and a songwriter. He was an original member of the "Doo-Wop Hall of Fame" group THE SWALLOWS and wrote most of their songs. He is a life long friend of Sonny Hatchett. He was also born in Baltimore but now makes New York City his home.
MORRIS DOW
Baritone/Guitarist
A native of Philadelphia, he now makes his home in Baltimore, Maryland. He has scored music for many motion pictures and television and radio commercials. Also known as one of the finest jazz harmonica players in the country today, he is a guitarist extraordinare. He is also a writer and has recently had a beautiful book published. Before joining THE INK SPOTS, he toured with many famous artists including Jimmy McGriff and Nancy Wilson. He also worked with Herb Kenny, the brother of THE INK SPOTS' original lead singer, Bill Kenny.
I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire
Ink Spots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would rather be with you an hour
For the things that one can buy
Are not worth a lover's sigh
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
I've lost all ambition for worldly acclaim
I just want to be the one you love
And with your admission that you 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
The lyrics of the Ink Spots’ song “I Don’t Want to Set the World On Fire” are a romantic ode to the power of love. The singer of the song declares that he has no interest in attaining power or material possessions, for they pale in comparison to the love he shares with his partner. He states that he only desires to ignite a flame in his lover’s heart and be with them for an hour. He has lost all ambition for worldly accomplishments, desiring only to be loved by his partner.
The singer states that he seeks no material wealth or fame but instead wants to be loved. His goal is for his partner to reciprocate his feelings, at which time he will have achieved his dream. The sheer passion and commitment put into the message of the song lend a certain amount of authenticity and relatability, which would make it especially meaningful to anyone in a romantic relationship or looking for one.
Overall, “I Don’t Want to Set the World On Fire” is a touching song that praises the power of love, the simple pleasures in life, and the joys that romantic companionship can bring. Its message is one that still rings true today and will continue to be a popular tune for those looking to celebrate love.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't ever care to rise to power
I have no interest in seeking power or authority.
I would rather be with you an hour
I prefer spending time with you, even if it's just for a short while.
For the things that one can buy
Material possessions and wealth.
Are not worth a lover's sigh
They are meaningless compared to the value of love and affection.
I don't want to set the world on fire
I don't have grand ambitions or desire for power and influence.
I just want to start a flame in your heart
All I want is to ignite feelings of love and passion in you.
In my heart I have but one desire
My only wish and longing is for you.
And that one is you, no other will do
I don't want anyone else but you, you are my only desire.
I've lost all ambition for worldly acclaim
I no longer strive for fame or recognition in the world.
I just want to be the one you love
All I desire is to be loved by you and to love you in return.
And with your admission that you feel the same
If you confess that you feel the same, my dream of being loved by you will come true.
I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of, believe me
My biggest aspiration is for you to reciprocate my love, and achieving that would be the greatest accomplishment of my life.
I don't want to set the world on fire
I don't seek to gain power, wealth, or influence in the world.
I just want to start a flame in your heart
All I want is to ignite feelings of love and passion in you.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENNIE BENJAMIN, EDDIE DURHAM, EDDIE SEILER, SOL MARCUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind