Johnny Cash Performs Without Instruments In Isolated Vocal Track For 'Ring Of Fire'

Aug 18, 2020 by apost team

Everyone knows the song "Ring of Fire." This may be Johnny Cash's most famous song ever. Part of the reason for its success is the catchy Mariachi sound. You could even listen to the music without vocals and still recognize this song. But what if you removed the music instead? What would it sound like with just Johnny Cash's vocals only?

When an isolated master vocal track for "Ring of Fire" was published on Youtube back in 2014, fans were excited to hear the very intense and meaningful version of the classic song.

One of the most iconic Johnny Cash songs is "Ring of Fire." Although the song seems very personal to him, he did not actually write it. Instead, it was Merle Kilgore and June Carter Cash who wrote it.

Although at the time, June was not married to Johnny yet. "Ring of Fire" was quickly associated with the love between Johnny and June. That very image of a "ring of fire" was symbolic of the love that she had burning for Johnny.

apost.com

But, Johnny's famed alcohol and drug abuse kept her from pursuing this burning and intense love. So, she wrote a song. The main theme of the song, "Love is like a burning ring of fires" was inspired by some Elizabethan poetry. June's uncle A.P. Carter had that book. He got ideas for songs in this way. June took this inspiration and helped co-write a classic. It is hard to know if she realized that this would be the song to epitomize her relationship with Johnny Cash forever.

But, Johnny was not the first to record this iconic song. Instead, it was June's sister, Anita Carter who recorded it. Anita's version was performed in a typical Country and Western-style. But, it lacked intensity. Johnny was itching to do his own version of the song. He declared that if Anita did not make it a hit within five months, he would record his own version. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Cash declared "I’ll give you about five or six more months, and if you don’t hit with it, I’m gonna record it the way I feel it.

Johnny Cash had a vision of how the song should sound. In his vision, mariachi horns were in the background of the song. This vision proved to be right. Johnny's version with mariachi horns and burning vocals made "Ring of Fire" a huge hit. It was more than a country hit. It also made the Billboard Top 20. But, what if Johnny recorded this iconic song without the beloved mariachi horns?

Now, on YouTube, you can hear the isolated vocal track for "Ring of Fire." This recording was made available in 2014. When you listen to the isolated vocal track, your mind expects the mariachi sound. Instead, there are dark pauses between Johnny Cash's baritone vocals. Without the lively mariachi band playing behind him, the track feels more mysterious. Very intense and haunting.

Each intense lyric burns into the mind of the listener. This recording is a burning ring of fire. This "Ring of Fire" isolated vocal track demonstrates Johnny Cash's exceptional talent and command of a song.

His emotional delivery was originally playing second fiddle to the mariachi band. Now, fans can enjoy a very intense and meaningful version of this hit song.

Were you aware that this isolated master vocal track for "Ring of Fire" exists? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this article along to all Elvis fans in your life!