Set the World Afire

"Set the World Afire" is a song by the American thrash metal band Megadeth. It is the second track from their third studio album, So Far, So Good... So What!, which was released in 1988 by Capitol Records.

For the album, see Anthology: Set the World Afire.
"Set the World Afire"
Song by Megadeth
from the album So Far, So Good... So What!
ReleasedJanuary 19, 1988 (1988-01-19)
Recorded1987
StudioMusic Grinder, Los Angeles
GenreThrash metal
Length5:48
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Dave Mustaine[1]
Producer(s)
  • Paul Lani
  • Dave Mustaine

Development

"Set the World Afire" was the first song frontman Dave Mustaine wrote after being kicked out of Metallica. On the topic, Dave Mustaine said "The first song that I wrote on my way back from New York was written on the back of a cupcake wrapper, if you can believe that."[2]

The song was originally titled "Megadeth", inspired by a political pamphlet Mustaine had read on the bus ride after being kicked out. After the band decided to use the song title for the name of the band, they retitled the song to "Set the World Afire".[3]

It said, ‘The arsenal of Megadeath can’t be rid.’ I thought, ‘What a fantastic song title.’ That song later became ‘Set the World Afire.’ So, in the midst of having a problem naming the band, it was suggested that we call ourselves Megadeth instead of the song. With extreme lack of foresight, I decided to go with that, not knowing what a professional setback the name would be for us. No one imagined this band would become this successful at the level where the name would affect us. When you’re thinking about ruling the club circuit and playing the arenas, and unsafe sex and drugs and alcohol and parties and fighting and speeding down the roads, the thought of someone not liking your band because the name’s “Megadeth’—it’s like, ‘Fuck you, it’s your loss.’ But when you’re trying to get on the radio that’s something else entirely.

— Dave Mustaine[4]

Music and lyrics

The lyrics of the song are about nuclear holocaust.[5] The beginning of the song features a quiet sample of "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire", a 1941 song by The Ink Spots.[6]

Live

After the band changed their name, the song was possibly known as "No Time"[7] and was later renamed "Burnt Offerings".[8] "Set the World Afire" was played at the first ever Megadeth concert, with Kerry King on guitar.[9][10] A bootleg CD-R of their first show was also named Burnt Offerings, after the early title. A live performance on September 7, 2005, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was included as track 3 on That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires. When played, some fans yell about it being "the cupcake song!".

Personnel

Megadeth

Production

2004 remix and remaster

  • Produced by Dave Mustaine
  • Mixed by Ralph Patlan and Dave Mustaine
  • Engineered by Ralph Patlan with Lance Dean
  • Edited by Lance Dean with Scott "Sarge" Harrison
  • Mastered by Tom Baker

Production
  • Produced by Paul Lani and Dave Mustaine
  • Engineered by Paul Lani with Matt Freeman
  • Mixed by Michael Wagener
  • Executive produced by Tim Carr
  • Mastered by Stephen Marcussen

References
  1. So Far, So Good... So What! (reissue liner notes). Capitol Records. 2004. pp. 4, 6–9.
  2. Bienstock, Richard (January 18, 2018). "5 Things You Didn't Know About Megadeth' 'So Far, So Good ... So What!'". Revolver. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  3. Dome, Malcom. "Megadeth's So Far, So Good… So What!: the chaotic story of thrash's most f**ked-up album". Louder Sound. Metal Hammer. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  4. Wiederhorn, Jon. "34 Years Ago: Megadeth Release 'So Far, So Good... So What!'". loudwire. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  5. Hunt, Dennis (March 6, 1988). "Meeting Mr. Megadeth, Dave Mustaine". Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  6. "30 Years Ago: Megadeth Struggle Through 'So Far, So Good ... so What!'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Townsquare Media. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  7. "Megadeath (lost Megadeth demo tape; 1983)". Lost Media Wiki. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  8. "Megadeth First Show". Megadeth.com. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  9. Scorpion, The. "SCORPION Q+A". Megadeth.com. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  10. "Megadeth's First Show". megadeth.com. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
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