Story Behind The Song

I wrote this while I was playing each Tuesday night at Kiva Han, a coffee shop in Pittsburgh on Craig St., near the Carnegie Museums

Song Description

One of my most-requested songs, this one recounts just a couple of the challenges of playing little cafes and such (something I've spent an inordinate amount of time doing.)

Lyrics

the couple to my left is speaking Japanese
the students sit and study in their twos and threes
while I play all these songs without an amplifier
   and I?m not setting the world on fire,
   I?m not setting the world on fire
I play this coffee shop for tips and one free drink, and
on nights like this, I wonder what the hell I?m thinkin?
but this room?s so live, I?ll fill it like your average choir,
   and I?m not setting the world on fire,
   I?m not setting the world on fire
      not tonight, but I can sing a little louder than you?re talking
      not tonight, I?ll just work the crowd that happens to be there,
      that?s alright, ?cause I don?t need to be a star,
      I?m here for love and live, one desire
      it?s not like I?m settin? the world on fire, the world on fire...

well, some guy who skipped his Lithium now sings along,
and it?s impressive, ?cause he?s never heard the song,
the suit looks up, frowns, ducks, goes back to his Esquire,
   I guess I?m not setting the world on fire,
   I?m not setting the world on fire
but I thank God for a couple friends who came to hear me
by 10 I?ve scared off everyone who tried to study
and when I?m done, I?ll wonder how I got so tired
   ?cause I?m not setting the world on fire,
   I?m not setting the world on fire..   CHORUS