Anita Ward (born December 20 , 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee ) is an American singer. Ward was a school teacher and had obtained a degree in psychology before being signed to a recording contract by Frederick Knight . While recording her first album, Knight presented her with a song he'd written the previous year for singer Stacy Lattisaw . Ward did not like the song, but Knight insisted that a dance track was needed to capitalise on the current disco trend, and Ward relented. The result was the single "Ring My Bell" which reached number one in the United States and the United Kingdom in 1979 . Disputes with Knight, a car accident, and the fading appeal of disco music halted Ward's career and she came to be regarded as a one hit wonder . On New Year's Eve 2002 she performed "Ring My Bell" in New York City 's Times Square before a the crowd of revellers as part of the city's official celebration.
