“Ring of Fire” is one of Johnny Cash’s most well-known and beloved songs. The catchy song, with its distinctive mariachi-style horn section, was released in 1963 and quickly became one of Cash’s signature songs. Over the years, the song has become an iconic country classic and cemented The Man in Black’s status as an American icon. In this article, we will explore the story and meaning behind the legendary song!
The Story Behind the Song
“Ring of Fire” was co-written by Johnny Cash’s future wife, June Carter, and Merle Kilgore. Despite being married to other people at the time, Carter and Cash couldn’t deny the attraction they felt for each other. In fact, Carter described being around Cash as feeling like being in a ‘burning ring of fire’.
Describing Cash as being in a ‘burning ring of fire’ reportedly derived from a phrase Carter saw in an Elizabethan poetry book. The phrase read: “Love is like a burning ring of fire”. Together with Kilgore, Carter wrote the song around the phrase.
The song symbolized the desire June Carter had for Johnny Cash. Even though she was married to someone else, and despite Cash’s outlaw-ish, dangerous lifestyle, she couldn’t help falling deeper and deeper in love with him.
The song was originally recorded by June’s sister, Anita Carter, and released as “(Love’s) Ring of Fire” on her 1962 album Folk Songs Old and New. The song commercially failed, which led to Johnny Cash’s decision to record his own version of the song. Cash claimed to have had a dream where he heard the song accompanied by mariachi-style horns. This was a departure from his usual sound, but Cash decided to try it anyway.
With success, because the mariachi-style horns made the song instantly recognizable. And as a result, Cash’s version of “Ring of Fire” became a massive hit. It topped the country charts for seven weeks and reached number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The Meaning of Ring of Fire
Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” is about a person who has fallen deeply in love and feels consumed by their emotions. The ‘ring of fire’ is a metaphor for the all-consuming, and thus, dangerous nature of love. On personal terms, it represents “Ring of Fire’s” songwriter June Carter falling deeply in love with Johnny Cash.
In the song, the narrator describes how they fell into a ring of fire, expressing that they’ve become trapped in the flames of love. The narrator emphasizes how they are unable to escape the fire. In fact, the narrator admits to being pulled further and further into the flames of love.
“Ring of Fire” isn’t only a song about falling deeply in love, it also warns about the dangers of love. Just like a real fire, love can burn us, consume us, and leave us with incurable scars. The song reminds us that falling in love can be both a beautiful and dangerous process.
Cash’s rendition is probably sung from the perspective of Cash’s love for June. Cash often stated that Carter saved his life, being a steady rock in his unstable life. The two eventually married in 1968, and remained together until Carter’s passing in 2003.
The Song’s Legacy
Overall, Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” solidified his status as a legendary figure in American music. With its unforgettable mariachi-style horn section, Cash’s iconic vocals, and fiery lyrics, the song is a powerful testament to the all-encompassing nature of love. The tune is considered one of the greatest country songs of all time, and together with Cash’s larger-than-life persona, continues to resonate with fans around the world.
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