The very legendary Johnny Cash has long been considered one of the 20th century’s most important musicians. The depth of his voice has brought stories to life while meeting genres like country, gospel, and folk. Nicknamed the Man in Black due to his uniform attire, his catalog chronicles through somber themes, using his lyrical ability to transmute sorrow into art.
But while Cash most certainly made it famous, he actually did not write his career-defining hit song “Ring of Fire.” It’s the song most people associate with the Arkansas-born singer, though it has a deeper history than many may realize. It was actually written by June Carter, whom Cash later went on to marry. Here’s how their union came to be, as well as a deep dive into the success of “Ring of Fire,” staying at number one on the country chart for seven weeks and being crowned the greatest country song of all time.
The Story Behind “Ring of Fire”
Aside from “I Walk The Line” and “Man in Black,” “Ring of Fire” is Johnny Cash’s most recognizable track. It stands as one of the most covered country songs ever, with Cash’s deep, rumbling baritone weighing the song’s gravity and sensual tension. Yet, the song was actually penned by his future spouse, June Carter. The inspiration for the song was found when Carter had seen the words “Love is like a burning ring of fire” underlined in an Elizabethan poetry book and felt moved by the imagery. She co-wrote the song alongside Merle Kilgore in 1962, yet it was recorded by her sister, Anita Carter. However, the original version was a far cry from what Cash went on to produce. Anita’s version was slower, more traditional country, and was far less dramatized. Most importantly, her version didn’t chart significantly, which incentivized Cash to take a shot and do the song his way.
Claiming he heard the arrangement in a dream, Cash wanted the song to be accompanied by “Mexican horns.” Many around him were skeptical, as country radio wasn’t exactly mariachi-friendly at the time. Yet, he followed his artistic instinct and took a bold chance, and it most certainly paid off. Cash released “Ring of Fire” in 1963, and his version spent seven weeks at number one on the country charts, going on to become his signature song and define his early ‘60s sound. Cash’s “Ring of Fire” was certified gold by the RIAA in 2010 and has been named the greatest country song by several publications, including Rolling Stone. In 1999, Cash’s version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. His offering an unexpected seasoning to the song’s traditional country tone deepened its potency and solidified Cash as an artist who would always be rewarded when he takes a risk.
70 Years Ago, Johnny Cash Released the Song That Later Revitalized His Career
“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash.”
As for Cash and Carter? Their forbidden love was intense and complicated, as Cash was married to his first wife, Vivian Liberto, at the time of their falling in love. Together they shared four daughters, Rosanne, Kathy, Cindy, and Tara, though the marriage came to an end in 1966 due to Cash’s drug abuse and adultery with other women. Carter herself was also married to Edwin “Rip” Nix, a former football player and police officer, though they also divorced in 1966 due to her affair with Cash. Their connection was undeniable and tumultuous, though they eventually figured it out once timing aligned.
Cash proposed to Carter on stage in front of thousands in London, Ontario in 1968, after she had rejected him roughly 30 times, and she finally thought it was time to say yes. They went on to have one son, John Carter Cash, who has carried on his family’s legacy as a musician, songwriter, and producer. Though their love sustained until her death in 2003, it was most certainly no easy storm. Throughout their marriage, Carter had done all she could to keep Cash off amphetamines, often taking his drugs and flushing them down the toilet. Yet, his addiction fought back stronger than her attempts to keep him clean. With unwavering devotion, Carter remained with him throughout his multiple admissions for rehabilitation treatment and decades of drug addiction, proving that their love story was strong enough to overcome all. “Ring of Fire” retroactively became the anthem of their love story, serving as the seed that would soon bloom into an everlasting union.
