When June Carter co-wrote “Ring of Fire” in 1962, both she and Johnny Cash were married—to other people. Yet this fiery anthem about surrendering to overwhelming passion would spark a love story between them and go on to become one of country music’s most iconic songs.
June drew inspiration from a line underlined in a book by her uncle, A.P. Carter, the founder of the legendary Carter Family. Touring with Cash, she penned lyrics capturing her irresistible attraction despite his struggles with drinking and drugs: “Bound by wild desire / I fell into a ring of fire.”
There’s another side to the story, however. Cash’s first wife, Vivian Liberto, disputed June’s authorship in her memoir, claiming Johnny actually wrote the song—albeit “pilled-up and drunk”—about a very personal subject.
Official credit for the song goes to June Carter and Merle Kilgore. Originally titled “(Love’s) Ring of Fire,” June gave the song to her sister Anita Carter, whose version didn’t catch on. Johnny Cash then reimagined it, inspired by a dream where he heard the tune enhanced with “Mexican horns.” Adding mariachi-style trumpets, Cash transformed it into an upbeat yet brooding track that topped the U.S. country charts in 1963.
The contrast is striking: despite the lively horns, Cash’s deep, resonant voice conveys a burning, almost painful passion. “I fell into a burning ring of fire,” he sings, “I went down, down, down, and the flames went higher.” The song’s intensity revealed a love that was anything but fleeting.
Following “Ring of Fire,” Cash and June Carter grew closer both musically and personally. After both divorced their spouses in 1966, they married two years later, becoming one of country music’s most beloved couples. Their partnership lasted for 35 years until June’s passing.
Though “Ring of Fire” is forever associated with the Cash-Carter duo, many artists have covered it. Cash’s rendition remains one of his career-defining hits, reigning at No. 1 on the country chart for seven weeks. It was certified gold by the RIAA in 2010 and has since sold over 1.2 million digital copies.
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Lyric
Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fireI 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 fireI 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 fireThe taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet
I fell for you like a child
Oh, but the fire went wildI 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 fireI 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 fireAnd it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire, the ring of fire
The ring of fire, the ring of fire…