Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 144^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 142^nd edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Ring of Fire”, performed by 🎙 Johnny Cash.

“Love is a burning thing / And it makes a fiery ring.” Indeed, 🎙 Johnny Cash (1932 – 2003), indeed.  “Bound by wild desire / I fell into a ring of fire.” Dang! 🎵 “Ring of Fire” is one of the most iconic country songs of all-time, PERIOD.  In the hands of Mr. Cash, “Ring of Fire” peaked at no. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963, one of two top-20 hits by the iconic country musician. (Only “A Boy Named Sue” performed better, peaking at no. 2, six years later).  The country standard was penned by Cash’s eventual second wife, 🎼 ✍ June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. Carter Cash didn’t write it for Cash, but rather her sister, Anita Carter, per Alex Baker of Fender. That said, Cash’s first wife, Vivian Liberto  – who will still his wife at the time, FYI – doesn’t believe June Carter Cash wrote it but Johnny did 🤔. Ooh-wee! Unsurprisingly, early in 🏆 Grammy history, at the 6^th Annual Grammy Awards, Cash earned his first Grammy nomination for Best Country & Western Recording. FYI, He’d win his first Grammy of a total of 13 in his career, at 10^th Annual Grammy Awards.

So, what makes “Ring of Fire” the sugar honey iced tea? The theme and songwriting go a long way, particularly the catchy chorus.  Sing along if you know it!

“I fell into a burning ring of fire

I went down, down, down

And the flames went higher

And it burns, burns, burns,

The ring of fire

The ring of fire.”

Of course, those expressive, nuanced vocals of Johnny Cash are the biggest attraction 💪. That baritone is nothing short of amazing.  Also, throw in the mariachi horns 🎺  and the backdrop is distinct and sweet.  The groove is infectious, reminding us just how fabulous the country/western music of the past is.  Still, the focal point is the icon himself, Johnny Cash, who made 🎵 “Ring of Fire” a gargantuan hit. The greatness of the song speaks for itself.

🎙 Johnny Cash • 💿 The Essential Johnny Cash • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 2002

Johnny Cash, Ring of Fire: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 144 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sony Music Entertainment; John Alan Sperry, PIRO via  Pixabay]