# Ring of Fire - did Johnny Cash know? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [September 19, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366 "2023-09-19T15:12:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/1 "2023-09-19T15:12:11Z")
_Ring of Fire_ is Johnny Cash biggest hit. It solidified his career. It was also a hit for Alan Jackson. It is a song about pain and temptation. The itch a man or woman can’t scratch. Oh the pain of burning forever for your sins. Was Johnny aware of how intense it really is? This gives a new perspective of the song. Affairs often lead to pregnancy. Link [What Is the Ring of Fire in Pregnancy?](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ring-fire-pregnancy-151551298.html) ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/2 "2023-09-19T15:26:37Z")
The song was written in 1963 by June Carter, who would marry Johnny in, I think, 1968. She had 3 children, including one with Johnny, and so may have been familiar with the pregnancy “ring of fire,” though I know of nothing to suggest it influenced the writing of the song. What Johnny may have known about is also likely unknown and at this point, unknowable.I can say that Johnny and his estate have often been asked if the song could be used in advertising for hemorrhoid preparations, and they have steadfastly refused. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/3 "2023-09-19T15:32:11Z")
_Ring of Fire_ was supposed to be a big hit for June’s sister Anita Carter. But her version didn’t get much air play. Not sure why. It’s on youtube and sounds pretty good. But lacks the edgy conviction that Cash delivers. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/4 "2023-09-19T15:40:54Z")
> [@Kropotkin](#): > > I can say that Johnny and his estate have often been asked if the song could be used in advertising for hemorrhoid preparations, and they have steadfastly refused. That said, Johnny and June _did_ allow the advertising agency where I worked, at that time, to use the song (and Johnny’s recording of it) for an Applebee’s ad, and Johnny even recorded the verbal voiceover about the promotion for it. My understanding is that Merle Kilgore, who was June’s co-writer on the song, would have happily licensed it for use by Preparation H, but June vetoed that. 🙂 [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/I58oePp4VuI/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AG-AoAC8AGKAgwIABABGHIgUShEMA8=&rs=AOn4CLC0XMDpgtryO8I4VDPccfW_yFQSTg "Applebee's fire grilled favorites commercial 2002 with johnny cash") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I58oePp4VuI) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/5 "2023-09-19T15:41:15Z")
My WAG would be that it was a reference to an old-timey circus-style ring of fire that animals or human circus performers would jump through, used as a general metaphor for getting into a dangerous situation. Listeners of the time would understand the base reference. ETA: sorta kinda ninja’d by @kenobi_65, as their video link shows a literal fire ring, though not specifically circus-related. [![](https://i.etsystatic.com/16210017/r/il/636cf2/1404630516/il_fullxfull.1404630516_8fc3.jpg) ](https://i.etsystatic.com/16210017/r/il/636cf2/1404630516/il_fullxfull.1404630516_8fc3.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/6 "2023-09-19T15:42:13Z")
Given that men weren’t expected to know much about woman’s health or anatomy at that time, I’d guess that Johnny Cash wasn’t aware of the use of the expression to describe part of the process of giving birth. NB: It’s a great song, btw ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/7 "2023-09-19T16:44:27Z")
> [@solost](#): > > My WAG would be that it was a reference to an old-timey circus-style ring of fire that animals or human circus performers would jump through, Over men and horses hoops and garters Lastly through a hogshead of real fire! In his way Mr. C. will challenge the world! ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/8 "2023-09-19T17:03:14Z")
Similarly, was the song “Fever” by Peggy Lee about coronaviruses? Was she trying to warn us? ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/9 "2023-09-19T20:49:01Z")
Since Boogie Fever manifests similar symptoms, many people overlook that it is a far more dangerous malady (and melody as well). ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/10 "2023-09-19T21:01:26Z")
I’m gonna have to rethink lots of songs now. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/11 "2023-09-19T21:02:34Z")
I could have caught the rockin’ pneumonia and the boogie woogie flu, but I had my shots. So now I just like easy listening. mmmmMantovani! ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/12 "2023-09-19T21:31:02Z")
I always thought it sounded like a preacher talking about a vision of hell. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > That said, Johnny and June _did_ allow the advertising agency where I worked, at that time, to use the song (and Johnny’s recording of it) for an Applebee’s ad, and Johnny even recorded the verbal voiceover about the promotion for it. Apparently he wasn’t too happy about its use in [another ad.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-cK_8icKRU) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/13 "2023-09-19T21:43:00Z")
I always pictured the ring as horizontal, encircling and entrapping the narrator with no escape. It’s not at all like a circus ring of fire, that you jump through once and then it’s done and behind you. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/14 "2023-09-19T21:44:33Z")
I heard the song used in an ad for Panda Express, except I think it was in Mandarin. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/15 "2023-09-19T21:55:55Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Apparently he wasn’t too happy about its use in [another ad.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-cK_8icKRU) 🤣 oh the pain. Been there myself. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/16 "2023-09-19T21:59:10Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I heard the song used in an ad for Panda Express, except I think it was in Mandarin. Yup – that ad came out last year. It’s very similar to the ad that we did for Applebee’s, twenty years ago. When I first saw the Panda Express ad, I sent the Youtube link to the art director with whom I’d worked on that original Applebee’s campaign (and who got to meet Johnny when we produced the ad), jokingly saying, “we’ve been ripped off! They owe us royalties!” 😉[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S\_TqQk5BSY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S_TqQk5BSY) ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/17 "2023-09-19T22:13:30Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I always pictured the ring as horizontal, encircling and entrapping the narrator with no escape. It’s not at all like a circus ring of fire, that you jump through once and then it’s done and behind you Ditto, seems quite clear the singer falls “into” a ring of fire. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/18 "2023-09-19T22:26:07Z")
And there’s really no bottom. It’s just infinitely deep, an impenetrable ring, a veritable hell. No escape ever. Sounds like marriage to me. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/19 "2023-09-19T22:41:56Z")
Johnny Cash’s first wife, Vivian, tells a different tale in her autobiography. From Wikipedia: "One day in early 1963, while gardening in the yard, Johnny told me about a song he had just written (…). ‘I’m gonna give June half credit on a song I just wrote,’ Johnny said. ‘It’s called “Ring of Fire.”’ ‘Why?’ I asked, wiping dirt from my hands. The mere mention of her name annoyed me. I was sick of hearing about her. ‘She needs the money,’ he said, avoiding my stare. (…) Vivian Cash also states: “To this day, it confounds me to hear the elaborate details June told of writing that song for Johnny. She didn’t write that song any more than I did. The truth is, Johnny wrote that song, while pilled up and drunk, about a certain private female body part. All those years of her claiming she wrote it herself, and she probably never knew what the song was really about.” ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ring-of-fire-did-johnny-cash-know/990366/20 "2023-09-19T23:49:27Z")
> [@Baal\_Houtham](#): > > about a certain private female body part. She had me believing until this point. It burns burns burns! That’s not a good thing! Though, they have drugs to fix that. Nothing I’d write a song about, unless it was called "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?