I'm a big fan of the original song, and though Coldplay did a fair rendition of it. I caught them on Austin City Limits, and they were the only rock band I've seen to do justice to this song - most of the punk versions failed miserably.
Originally, this song was written in part by June Carter - who later became June Carter-Cash. She fell in love with Johnny while he was still married to his first wife, and the lyrics reflect how strongly she was drawn to the troubled Man in Black, but knew he was both off-limits and a dangerous soul with whom to trust her heart. 'Ring of Fire' evokes biblical themes, in that lusting after another's husband or wife is a sin, and falling into a ring of fire both reflects a decent into Hell, and the danger June felt in attaching herself to Cash's destructive lifestyle. At the point in his life this song was written, Cash lived dangerously and was becoming addicted to amphetamines.
It took 10 years, a divorce, and several run-ins with the law and the hospital before Cash and Carter finally came together as man and wife. And until they both died in recent years, they lived a happy life together, with no flames to be seen. Now that they're gone, it's anyone's guess if they remain that way. :)
I'm a big fan of the original song, and though Coldplay did a fair rendition of it. I caught them on Austin City Limits, and they were the only rock band I've seen to do justice to this song - most of the punk versions failed miserably.
Originally, this song was written in part by June Carter - who later became June Carter-Cash. She fell in love with Johnny while he was still married to his first wife, and the lyrics reflect how strongly she was drawn to the troubled Man in Black, but knew he was both off-limits and a dangerous soul with whom to trust her heart. 'Ring of Fire' evokes biblical themes, in that lusting after another's husband or wife is a sin, and falling into a ring of fire both reflects a decent into Hell, and the danger June felt in attaching herself to Cash's destructive lifestyle. At the point in his life this song was written, Cash lived dangerously and was becoming addicted to amphetamines. It took 10 years, a divorce, and several run-ins with the law and the hospital before Cash and Carter finally came together as man and wife. And until they both died in recent years, they lived a happy life together, with no flames to be seen. Now that they're gone, it's anyone's guess if they remain that way. :)