"Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Ring of Fire The Best of Johnny Cash is the sixteenth Album by country singer Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1963 (see A gramophone A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other In Political geography and International politics, a country is a Political division of a geographical entity In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company In the Music industry, a record producer or music producer has many roles among them controlling the recording sessions coaching and guiding the musicians organizing Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Valerie June Carter Cash ( June 23, 1929 &ndash May 15, 2003) was a Singer, Songwriter, actress, comedienne Wyatt Merle Kilgore ( August 9, 1934 – February 6, 2005) was an American Singer, Songwriter, and Manager The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash. Ring of Fire The Best of Johnny Cash is the sixteenth Album by country singer Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1963 (see The song was recorded on March 25, 1963 and became the biggest hit of his career, staying at number one on the charts for seven weeks ^[1]. Events 1199 - Richard I is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France which leads to his death on April 6. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Conception

 Music sample:

"Ring of Fire" excerpt

From the album Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash. This sample includes a portion of the chorus. Flourishes from the mariachi are also featured.

Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Although "Ring of Fire" sounds somewhat ominous, the term refers to falling in love - which is what June Carter was experiencing with Johnny Cash at the time. Some sources claim that June had seen the phrase, "Love is like a burning ring of fire," underlined in one of her uncle A. P. Carter's Elizabethan books of poetry^[2][3]. AP Carter ( December 15, 1891 - November 7, 1960) was an American Country music Musician and founding member Romance and reality The Victorian era and the early twentieth century idealised the Elizabethan era She worked with Kilgore on writing a song inspired by this phrase as she had seen her uncle do in the past. In the 2005 film, Walk the Line June is depicted as writing the song while agonizing over her feelings for Cash despite his drug addiction and alcoholism as she was driving home one evening. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical Drama film, directed by James Mangold and based on the life of country Drug addiction is widely considered a pathological state. The disorder of addiction involves the progression of acute Drug use to the development of drug-seeking Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions She had written: "There is no way to be in that kind of hell, no way to extinguish a flame that burns, burns, burns"^[4]

The song was originally recorded by June's sister, Anita Carter, on her album Ring Of Fire (1962) as "(Love's) Ring of Fire"^[5]. Ina Anita Carter ( March 31 1933 in Maces Spring Virginia – July 29 1999 in Goodlettsville Tennessee, age 66 was the After hearing Anita's version, Cash claims he had a dream where he heard the song accompanied by "Mexican horns"^[2]. Cash allowed some time for Anita's song to catch on, stating:

When the song failed to become a hit for Anita, Cash recorded it his own way, adding the mariachi-style horns. MARIACHI, the Mixed Apparatus for Radar Investigation of Cosmic-rays of High Ionization, is an apparatus for the detection of Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECR This sound was later used in the song, "It Ain't Me Babe", which was recorded around the same time. " It Ain't Me Babe " is the title of a 1964 song by Bob Dylan, first included on his album Another Side of Bob Dylan. Mother Maybelle and the Carter sisters are featured in the Cash recording singing harmony. "Mother Maybelle" Carter ( May 10, 1909 - October 23, 1978) was an American country Musician.

Four years after the song was released, Carter and Cash were married which Cash states helped to stop his alcohol and drug addictions. Cash's daughter, Rosanne has stated, "The song is about the transformative power of love and that's what it has always meant to me and that's what it will always mean to the Cash children. Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter and occasional Author, who is known for "^[6]

Legacy

Numerous cover versions of "Ring of Fire" have been produced, the most commercially successful version being by Social Distortion, who released their punk rock version on the album, Social Distortion (1990). In Popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition ( Performance or Recording) of a previously recorded commercially released Social Distortion (sometimes referred to simply as Social D) is an American Punk rock band formed in 1978 Social Distortion is the third and self-titled album by punk group Social Distortion, which was released on March 27, 1990 as their first The single reached #25 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, 27 years after the single was first recorded by Cash.

The song has also been covered by singer and satirist, Frank Zappa. Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and Performing arts In satire human Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21 1940 – December 4 1993 was an American Composer, Electric guitarist Record producer and Film director Zappa's version is a deconstructed, reggae rendition which appears on their album, The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life (1991). Reggae is a Music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life is a double disc live album by Frank Zappa, released in 1991 (see 1991 in music) The arrangement was concocted in anticipation of a guest appearance by Cash in Europe which was cancelled at the last minute.

"Ring of Fire" ranked #4 on CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music in 2003 and #87 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Country Music Television, or CMT as it is usually called is an American Country music -oriented Cable television network Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published

The Canceled "Ring Of Fire" Hemorrhoid Ad

In 2004, Kilgore and advertising writers in Florida were planning to pitch hemorrhoid-relief products with a commercial featuring "Ring of Fire," but decided not to after the Cash family complained. ^[7]

Cover versions

^[8][9].

Parody versions

• Country music parodist Cledus T. Judd recorded a Christmas-themed parody, called "Tree's on Fire", on his 2002 album Cledus Navidad. William Beau "Billy" Burnette III (born May 8, 1953 in Memphis Tennessee) is an American guitarist singer and songwriter who The String Cheese Incident, one of the bands involved in the jam movement of the mid-to-late 1990s formed in Boulder, Colorado in 1993 James Carr ( June 13, 1942 - January 7, 2001) was an American Rhythm & Blues and soul musical artist Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (waˈkeen ˈfee-nɪks born October 28, 1974) formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix is an award-winning American and Puerto Rican Walk the Line is a Grammy Award-winning Soundtrack from the movie Walk the Line released November 15, 2005 Dario G is the name of a Dance music trio from Cheshire, England. The Leningrad Cowboys is a Finnish rock band famous for its humorous songs ludicrous hairstyles and concerts featuring the Russian Alexandrov Lucy Kaplansky (born 1960 is an American folk musician based in New York City. Dilana Robichaux is a singer songwriter and performer who lives in Los Angeles California. George Canyon (born Frederick George Lays Jr on August 22, 1968 to Fred Lays Sr Classics is the fifth studio album by Canadian Country music Singer George Canyon. Art Paul Schlosser (born in Chicago January 4, 1960) grew up listening to Novelty music like Allen Sherman and Tiny Tim Allison Moorer (born June 21 1972) is a Grammy-nominated American Alternative country singer and the younger sister of Shelby Lynne Cledus T Judd (born Barry Poole, December 18, 1964, in Marietta Georgia) is an American Country music artist Cledus Navidad is a Christmas album released by Country music Parodist Cledus T
• On Rush Limbaugh's radio program, comedian Paul Shanklin parodies former Vice President Al Gore in singing "Ball of Fire" regarding the issue of global warming. Rush Hudson Limbaugh III (born January 12, 1951) is an American radio host and conservative Political commentator. Albert Arnold Gore Jr (born March 31 1948 is an American environmental Activist, author Businessperson, former Politician, and former Global warming is the increase in the average measured temperature of the
• Doc Adams of Sarcasticgamer. com, recorded a version of Ring of Fire parodying the failure rate of Microsoft's Xbox 360, also known as the Red Rings of Death. Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational Computer technology Corporation, which rose to dominate the Home computer The Xbox 360 is the second Video game console produced by Microsoft, and was developed in cooperation with IBM, ATI, and SiS.

In popular culture

The song was among a number of Cash songs covered by Joaquin Phoenix for the 2005 film, Walk the Line. Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (waˈkeen ˈfee-nɪks born October 28, 1974) formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix is an award-winning American and Puerto Rican Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Walk the Line is a 2005 American biographical Drama film, directed by James Mangold and based on the life of country A duet version of the song, recorded by Jeff Bridges and Kim Carnes, can be heard in the opening scene in the 2000 film The Contender, although the track is notably absent on the movie soundtrack and has, in fact, never been released. Jeffrey Leon Bridges (born December 4, 1949) is a four-time Academy Award -nominated American Actor and Musician. Kim Carnes (born July 20, 1945 in Pasadena California) is a Grammy Award -winning American Singer-songwriter. The song briefly plays in one scene of the 2006 horror film, Silent Hill, because of the story of the movie. Horror films are Movies that strive to elicit Fear, Horror and terror responses from viewers is a Survival horror Video game franchise developed and published by Konami. It is also featured on the CBS reality television show, Rock Star: Supernova, performed by Dilana Robichaux. CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Reality television is a genre of Television programming which presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations documents actual events and usually features ordinary Rock Star Supernova was the second season of the Reality television show Rock Star. Dilana Robichaux is a singer songwriter and performer who lives in Los Angeles California. Dilana is scheduled to release the Gilby Clarke produced cover on February 20, 2007 on iTunes, Napster and other digital download websites. Gilby Clarke is a Guitarist and Record producer, born in Cleveland Ohio, on August 17, 1962. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. iTunes is a proprietary digital media player application introduced by Apple Inc Napster was an online music file sharing service created by Shawn Fanning while he was attending Northeastern University in Boston and operating This song was included in the soundtrack to Tony Hawk's Underground 2 and British dance group Dario G released a mix of the famous tune in time for the FIFA World Cup 2006. Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (also known as THUG 2 or Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 6) is the sixth installment in Neversoft 's Dario G is the name of a Dance music trio from Cheshire, England. The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th instance of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament A recent cover version is by Tim Speed, Apollo 440 and Ian McCulloch and it was Liverpool FC's official 2006's FA Cup song. The song was also included in the Singstar game Singstar Legends. This article concerns the series as a whole For the PlayStation 3 version see SingStar (PlayStation 3. This is a list of titles of the SingStar Video game series, developed by London Studio and published by Sony Computer Ring of Fire was also featured in an episode of My Name is Earl and in the 12th episode of the 3rd season of Numb3rs entitled, "Nine Wives". My Name Is Earl is an American sitcom created by Greg Garcia. NUMB3RS (pronounced Numbers) is an American Television show produced by brothers Ridley and Tony Scott.

In sports

"Ring of Fire" was first adopted by Liverpool Football Club fans in the year 2002, with the song growing in popularity as the team and its supporters travelled across Europe en route to the 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul. Liverpool Football Club are an English professional Association football club based in Liverpool England. See also List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winners The UEFA Champions League, which evolved from the European Champion Clubs' Cup is a seasonal club Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see the other Names of Istanbul) is the largest city of Turkey ^[10] The song was played by the Liverpool football team prior to their victory on May 25th and is frequently played during half-time at Anfield as well as the theme tune been sung while the fans swing their scarves after a goal is scored . ^[11]

The song was later played by the England cricket team at lunch in the dressing room on the final day of the 3rd Test match against India on 22 March 2006. The England cricket team is the national cricket team which represents England and Wales. A changeroom Events 238 - Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed Roman emperor. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The English cricketers were inspired and came out and took seven wickets for 25 runs in the space of 89 balls to complete their first victory on Indian soil in 21 years. ^[12] Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard of the England cricket team played it before they came out to play on the last day of the 2005 Ashes series between them and Australia to spur them on. Andrew Flintoff, MBE, (born 6 December 1977 in Preston, Lancashire) is a Cricketer who plays for Lancashire and England. Matthew James Hoggard MBE (born 31 December 1976 Leeds, Yorkshire) is an English Cricketer The 6' 2" Hoggard is a right arm fast-medium The England cricket team is the national cricket team which represents England and Wales. The 2005 Ashes series was that year's edition of the long-standing and storied Cricket rivalry between England and Australia. The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia.

The NHL's Calgary Flames played the song on the tannoy of the Pengrowth Saddledome during their 2004 Stanley Cup run and also sang it in the dressing room after each win. The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The Calgary Flames are a Professional Ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Tannoy Ltd is a British manufacturer of Loudspeakers and public-address (PA systems The Pengrowth Saddledome is the main indoor Arena facility in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and is situated on the east end of the Calgary The Stanley Cup (La Coupe Stanley is an Ice hockey club championship Trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL playoffs champion It was also constantly played on the Red Mile during the run, and has become the team's victory song. This article refers to a bar/party strip in Calgary Alberta For the Harness racing track in Lexington Kentucky, see The Red Mile. The Saskatoon Blades of the WHL began to use this song as their victory song during the 2006 playoffs. The Saskatoon Blades are a Junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. This article refers to the junior Western Hockey League For other leagues with the same name see Western Hockey League (disambiguation. It continues to be played after each victory by the team.

Cardiff City FC have started using it as their celebratory winning song. They have revamped the song to get the crowd excited when they score a goal at home. It is also played before Heart of Midlothian F.C. matches as the players take to the field to create more atmosphere. Heart of Midlothian FC (most commonly referred to as Hearts) is a football club from Edinburgh, Scotland who play in the Scottish It was adopted by Hereford United in the 2005/06 season and is chanted at almost every game. Hereford United Football Club are an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. After the team won the playoffs, players for Hereford United were seen chanting the song in celebration at Walker's Stadium in Leicester. The song is a crowd favorite at Adelaide United games, Rotherham United, Leicester City, Walsall FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers games. Adelaide United Football Club is a Football (soccer team in the Australian A-League based in Adelaide, South Australia. Rotherham United Football Club (also known as 'The Millers' are an English professional football club temporarily based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, PLEASE NOTE This section is the introduction Please do not add too much detail here Walsall Football Club are an English football club based in Walsall, West Midlands, currently playing in League One. It is sung for Adelaide United young Talent Nathan Burns. Nathan Burns (born on 7 May 1988 in Blayney, New South Wales) is an Australian international football player currently playing as a Striker This song is also played before every Wellington Phoenix home game. Wellington Phoenix is an association football (soccer team based in Wellington, New Zealand, competing in the Australian A-League Southend United away fans also have adopted the song, as a means of encouraging and lifting the players away from home. Southend United Football Club is an English football team based at Roots Hall Stadium in Prittlewell in the Borough of Southend-on-Sea, Essex QPR have also recently adopted the song, accompanied by a fat bloke on a drum. The song is also played at Ipswich Town F. C. as the players emerge from the Tunnel at Portman Road.

The song has also been used in an ESPN promotional ad for NASCAR. ESPN, originally an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American Cable television network dedicated to The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States.

References