I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't ever care to rise to power
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
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 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

Overall Meaning

The song "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" by Preservation Hall Jazz Band is a love song that speaks to the desire for connection and the rejection of ambition for power and fame in favor of the simple pleasures of love. The lyrics express the singer's desire to be with their love for just an hour, rather than rising to power or acquiring material possessions. They speak of the importance of love and how it is more valuable than anything else in the world.


The chorus of the song, "I don't want to set the world on fire, I just want to start a flame in your heart" suggests that the singer is not interested in grand gestures or big displays of love, but rather in something more intimate and personal. They have lost all ambitions for worldly acclaim, and all they want is for the person they love to reciprocate their feelings.


The lyrics are simple yet profound, and the melody is haunting and nostalgic. The song has become a classic, well-loved for its romantic sentiments and its message of valuing love over ambition. It speaks to the human desire for connection and intimacy and reminds us that sometimes the simplest things in life are the most important.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't ever care to rise to power
I have no ambition for high status or control over others.


I would rather be with you an hour
I prefer spending time with my beloved for a short period of time than achieving worldly success.


For the things that one can buy
Material possessions that can be acquired through money.


Are not worth a lover's sigh
They cannot bring as much happiness as just the affectionate breath of your lover.


I don't want to set the world on fire
My goal is not to cause global destruction or make a significant impact in the world.


I just want to start a flame in your heart
All I desire is for you to have affectionate feelings for me.


In my heart I have but one desire
There's only one wish that I have deep in my heart.


And that one is you, no other will do
I want you, and nobody else can replace you in my heart.


I've lost all ambition for worldly acclaim
I have no aspiration for recognition in society or any worldly achievements.


I just want to be the one you love
All I desire is to be the person who you choose to love and cherish.


And with your admission that you feel the same
If you confess that you love me, I'll have achieved my ultimate dream.


I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of, believe me
My goal is to be loved by you, and if that happens, my dream will have come true.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bennie Benjamin, Eddie Durham, Eddie Seiler, Sol Marcus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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L.V the Truth


on Rattlin' Bones

The lyrics of Preservation Hall Jazz Band's "Rattlin' Bones" is a spooky tale about the supernatural phenomena that takes place in St. Josephine, a part of New Orleans. The opening lines of the song act as a warning to those who might wish to visit the place as it is plagued with rattling bones that make a frightening sound. The singer suggests that the sound is not coming from any ordinary source, but from the bones of the dead who have risen from the grave and started walking around.

As the song progresses, the singer presents himself as a witness to the terrifying events that take place in the graveyard. He admits that initially, he did not believe in the stories about the rattling bones. However, after spending a night in the cemetery out of a dare, he saw the horrifying sight of the dead rising from their graves. The chorus is an ominous warning to those who might venture near the St. Josephine graveyard, with the rattling bones creeping up behind the headstones, effectively sealing the fate of any curious visitors.

Edit: Others argue that a deeper meaning hides between the lines. It has been said that homosexuality was a heavy taboo around the turn of the century. Evidence shows that the occasional (sexual) encounter was not uncommon in graveyards, at night. Many young men sought hidden corners of the city so they could get their "bones rattled." Hotels were reserved for "Socially Acceptable" Folks. So if you didn't want to see anyone's bones getting rattled, it's best to visit a graveyard during appropriate visiting hours.

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