Isaak's music can be described as a blend of country, blues, rock'n'roll, pop and surf rock.
He signed a contract to Warner Brothers Records in 1984 for his first album "Silvertone". Isaak's contract was renewed in 1988 when Warner moved him to their Reprise Records label.
His best-known song is "Wicked Game". Though released on the 1989 album "Heart Shaped World", an instrumental version of the song was later featured in the David Lynch film 'Wild at Heart' (and also years later in the 2000 film The Family Man). An Atlanta radio station DJ began playing the full version and it quickly became a nation-wide top ten hit. The music video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and was a big MTV and VH1 hit; shot in black and white, it starred Isaak and model Helena Christensen rolling on the beach, embracing and whispering in each others' ears.
In 1999, Isaak's "Baby Did A Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film 'Eyes Wide Shut', starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.
In 2001, Chris Isaak starred in his own television show, 'The Chris Isaak Show'. It aired from March 2001 to March 2004 in the United States on the cable television network Showtime. This adult comedy show featured Chris Isaak and his band playing themselves with the episode plots based on fictional accounts of the backstage world of Chris Isaak - the rock star next door.
In 2004, his track "Life Will Go On" was featured on the 'Chasing Liberty' soundtrack, which starred Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.
He hosted a talk show on the Biography cable channel in the United States in 2009 that offered a unique twist - each guest was a musical artist, and both Chris and the artist performed various songs throughout each show. Eight episodes aired in early 2009, featuring guests Trisha Yearwood, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Michael Buble, Chicago, The Smashing Pumpkins, Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), and Jewel.
Isaak has also appeared in numerous films, mostly playing minor cameo roles, though he starred with Keanu Reeves and Bridget Fonda in the 1993 Bernardo Bertolucci-directed 'Little Buddha', and also played a major role in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' (1992). Other motion pictures include 'Married to the Mob' (1988), 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991), 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), and 'A Dirty Shame' (2004). He also guest-starred on the Super Bowl Sunday (1996) edition of the television sitcom Friends and on the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon (HBO).
Chris is also an amateur boxer, avid surfer and a former Golden Gloves champion.
Notice the Ring
Chris Isaak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good looking
You got everything
Slow walking
You come up
Then I notice the ring
I notice the ring
But I don't hear a thing
Is it something he bought you
Or only a ring, oh baby
I notice the ring, does it mean anything
You don't gotta fool me if you say it's only jewelry
I believe you when you slip off the ring, oh baby
It's got complicated if it's more than just gold plated
Are you single, does it mean anything
I notice the ring, we gotta slow down
She's laughing, stop worrying
Get in the swing
Heart pounding, I'm wondering
Just what did she mean
I notice the ring
I notice the ring
Say nobody's waiting
That's it's nothing just gold plating
That it really doesn't mean anything
Say your grandma left it to you
Just all you need to do is tell me that it's no wedding ring,
Nice diamond
I notice the ring
I notice the ring
We gotta slow down
I notice the ring
The song "Notice the Ring" by Chris Isaak tells the story of a man who is interested in a woman he meets. At first, he is struck by her beauty and confident demeanor, but then he notices a ring on her finger which makes him wonder about her relationship status. He tries to ask her about it, but she avoids the question and he is left wondering if she is really single and if the ring means anything more than just jewelry.
The lyrics suggest that the man is hesitant to pursue a relationship with the woman because he is unsure about her true intentions. He wants to know if the ring is a symbol of commitment or if it is simply a fashion accessory. The repetition of the phrase "I notice the ring" emphasizes the importance of the ring in the man's mind and highlights his curiosity about the woman's personal life.
The song touches on themes of love, trust, and communication in relationships. It questions the significance of material objects like jewelry and challenges the idea of making assumptions based on appearance alone. Ultimately, it suggests that it is important to be honest and open with your partner in order to build a strong and lasting relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Long legged
You are tall and have attractive features
Good looking
You are physically attractive
You got everything
You possess all the qualities that make you desirable
Slow walking
You walk at a leisurely pace
You come up
You approach me
Then I notice the ring
Upon closer inspection, I see the ring on your finger
I notice the ring
I pay attention to the ring on your finger
You're talking, I'm listening,
You are speaking and I am paying attention
But I don't hear a thing
I am not really listening to what you're saying
Is it something he bought you
Does the ring belong to your partner?
Or only a ring, oh baby
Or is it just a ring you wear for decoration?
I notice the ring, does it mean anything
I am curious if the ring holds any significance
You don't gotta fool me if you say it's only jewelry
You don't have to lie to me, saying that it's just a piece of jewelry
I believe you when you slip off the ring, oh baby
I trust you when you take the ring off
It's got complicated if it's more than just gold plated
The situation becomes complex if the ring has a deeper meaning
Are you single, does it mean anything
I inquire about your relationship status and the significance of the ring
We gotta slow down
We need to take things more slowly
She's laughing, stop worrying
You are laughing and I shouldn't worry too much
Get in the swing
Let's go with the flow
Heart pounding, I'm wondering
My heartbeat is racing and I am filled with curiosity
Just what did she mean
I am uncertain about what you are trying to convey
Say nobody's waiting
Say that you are not committed to anyone
That's it's nothing just gold plating
Say that the ring isn't special
That it really doesn't mean anything
Say that the ring doesn't hold any emotional significance
Say your grandma left it to you
Say that the ring was given to you by your grandmother
Just all you need to do is tell me that it's no wedding ring,
All you need to do is tell me that it is not a symbol of marriage
Nice diamond
The diamond on the ring is beautiful
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS ISAAK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind