Rings by Cymarron - Songfacts

Album: Rock Artifacts (1971)

Charted: 17

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Cymarron were the vocal trio of Rick Yancey, Sherrill Parks and Richard Mainegra. This was their only hit, and it was written by Alex Harvey and Eddie Reeves in honor of their friends Bob and Chris Hamilton. Eddie told us: "We wrote the song as a special present for them about a month before their wedding. All references in the song are related to their relationship. Alex and I never thought it could be a hit song because it was so specifically about Bob and Chris. I was renting Bob's beach house while he and Chris were living in NYC for a year or two. Alex and I sang the song at their rehearsal dinner at the Marina Del Rey Hotel the night before the wedding and then sang it several more times on their wedding day. The wedding took place at 6:00 AM on the beach in front of the beach house on Driftwood & Ocean Front Walk. That's why the song says, "the sun comes up across the city." We knew their wedding would be on the beach at sunrise before we wrote the song. The beach house is now a condo building."
Mac Davis was also invited to join Eddie Reeves and Alex Harvey in writing this song, but he had to cancel due to business obligations. Ironically, Davis later bumped into Eddie Reeves at the United Artists office and commented, "Man, I heard a great song on the way over here—something about rings. It's unbelievable." He had no idea that was the song he was supposed to have helped write.
The chords to "Rings" were inspired by the song "Jody's Face," by Alex Harvey, which had a simple chord progression that they reused for this song.
"Rings" hit the charts again in 1974, this time for Roland Kent Lavoie, better known by the stage name Lobo. Lobo's other hits included "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo," "I'd Love You to Want Me" and "Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend."
Eddie Reeves also recorded the song with his friend Mike Settle. To do so, they had to come up with a name for their "group." Since both of them had Native American blood, they settled on the name "Running Bear and Goldstein," a deliberate joke. (Check out Eddie Reeves' story.)

Comments: 6

Geoff S. from Dayton,ohioLonnie Mack also does a real nice version of Rings.
Missy from IndianaI played this song before my wedding in 2012. It is such a beautiful song. I love the Cymarron version the best.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 14th 1974, two covered versions of "Rings" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; Lobo's version entered at #79 and peaked at #43, while Reuben Howell's version entered at #86 and that was also its peaked position...
Lobo's version had 'Allman Brothers' on the stereo and Howell's had 'Jim Croce'...
In 1971 on Cymarron's original version it was 'James Taylor' and also in 1971 Tompall & the Glaser Brothers released their version, they had 'Merle Haggard'.
Michael from Mcfarland, WiLeo Kottke likes to make fun of this song, but it didn't stop him from recording a cover!
Barry from Sauquoit, NyIn Cymarron's version when they answer the door bell they're listening to James Tayor, but Lobo is listening to the Allman Brothers while Dr. Hook is just plain listening to sweet music...
Phillip from Troy, TnI had the privilege of listening to Cymarron practice at the home of the organ player of that group when they were first getting started. The player of the organ was Terry Hailey, who is currently (Feb 2010) the Mayor of Union City, Tennessee. I am not sure how long he remained with the group, but I remember that he had local notoriety because of the song "Rings".

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