Ring Of Fire

Lyrics

Love is a burning thing
(That's right)
And it leaves a firey ring
(There's a firey ring)
I was captured by pure desire
(That's right)
I fell into a ring of fire
(Ow! Ow! Ow!)

I fell into a burning ring of fire
I fell down down down
And those flames lit the pyre
And it burns burns burns
That ring of fire
That ring of fire
("It's hot")

Love
("It's hot")
Is a burning thing
(That's right, it's the same verse again)
And it leaves a firey ring
(It's one way of learning English)
(Senator Hawkins: Pyromania)
I was captured by pure desire
(Pure desire)
I fell into that burning ring of fire
(Ow! Ow! Ow!)

I fell into that burning ring of fire
(Johnny'll never know what he missed)
I fell down down down
And those flames lit the pyre
And it burns burns burns
That ring of fire
That ring of fire
That ring of fire
That ring of fire
That ring of fire

Players On This Song

• Frank Zappa (lead guitar, computer-synth, vocal)
• Paul Carman (alto sax, soprano sax, baritone sax)
• Bruce Fowler (trombone)
• Walt Fowler (trumpet, flugel horn, synth)
• Mike Keneally (rhythm guitar, synth, vocal)
• Kurt McGettrick (baritone sax, bass sax, contrabass clarinet)
• Ed Mann (vibes, marimba, electronic percussion)
• Bobby Martin (keyboards, vocal)
• Scott Thunes (electric bass, mini-moog)
• Chad Wackerman (drums, electronic percussion)
• Ike Willis (rhythm guitar, synth, vocal)
• Albert Wing (tenor sax)

Records On Which This Song Has Appeared

Zappa Albums & Side Projects

• The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life - recorded live in Würzburg, 22 April 1988

Notes About This Song

Words and music: Merle Kilgore and June Carter

Mike Keneally sings this song in his Johnny Cash voice. Johnny was supposed to play on this song, however his wife was sick and he could not make the show. Zappa asked the crowd if they would like to hear the song even if Johnny was not there to sing, and the crowd replied yes. Throughout the rest of disc 1, they would throw in references to Johnny and the song.

The recording is from Würzburg and was played three times during the concert, two times as beginning of the encore.

Johnny, you'll never know what you missed. – Frank Zappa

Song is also quoted in Heavy Duty Judy from The Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life.

CC Clues In This Song

• Senator Hawkins' "Pyromania" comes from Porn Wars.
• See also: Porn Wars (CC).