Black Sabbath

thumb| So you children of the world, listen to what I sayIf you want a better place to live in spread the word todayShow the world that love is still alive you must be braveOr you children of today are children of the grave. Black Sabbath were an English heavy metal band, formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. Song lyrics thumb|What is this that stands before me?Figure in black which points at meTurn around quick, and start to runFind out I’m the chosen one – Oh no! Black Sabbath (1970) All songs written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne. What is this that stands before me?Figure in black which points at meTurn around quick, and start to runFind out I’m the chosen one – Oh no! Black Sabbath Visions cupped within a flowerDeadly petals with strange powerFaces shine a deadly smileLook upon you at your trial Behind the Wall of Sleep The world today is such a wicked placeFighting going on between the human racePeople got to work just to earn their breadWhile people just across the sea are counting their dead Wicked World Red sun rising in the skySleeping village, cock’rel’s crySoft breeze blowing in the treesPeace of mind, feel at ease Sleeping Village Paranoid (1970) thumb|In the fields the bodies burningAs the war machine keeps turningDeath and hatred to mankindpoisoning their brainwashed minds thumb|Has he lost his mind? Can he see or is he blind? Can he walk at all Or if he moves, will he fall?Is he alive or dead?Has he thoughts within his head? All lyrics written by Geezer Butler. Generals gathered in their massesJust like witches at black massesEvil minds that plot destructionSorcerers of death’s constructionIn the fields the bodies burningAs the war machine keeps turningDeath and hatred to mankindpoisoning their brainwashed minds War Pigs Make a joke and I will sighAnd you will laugh and I will cryHappiness I cannot feelAnd love to me is so unreal Paranoid We sail through endless skiesStars shine like eyesThe black night sighsThe moon in silver dreamsFalls down in beamsLight of the nightThe Earth a purple blazeOf sapphire hazeIn orbit always Planet Caravan Robot minds of robot slavesLead them to atomic gravesPlastic flowers, melting sunFading moon falls uponDying world of radiation,Victims of man’s frustrationBurning globe of obscene fireLike electric funeral pyre Electric Funeral Has he lost his mind? Can he see or is he blind? Can he walk at all Or if he moves, will he fall?Is he alive or dead?Has he thoughts within his head? We'll just pass him thereWhy should we even care? Iron Man Master of Reality (1971) All lyrics written by Geezer Butler. So you children of the world, listen to what I sayIf you want a better place to live in spread the word todayShow the world that love is still alive you must be braveOr you children of today are children of the grave. Children of the Grave Leave the earth to Satan and his slavesLeave them to their future in their gravesMake a home where love is there to stayPeace and happiness in every day. Into the Void Vol. 4 (1972) All lyrics written by Geezer Butler. I’ve crossed the ocean, turned every bendI found the plastic and the gold at rainbow’s endI’ve seen through magic and through life’s realityI’ve lived a thousand years and never found the key Supernaut thumb|Let them have their little toysMatchbox cars and mortgaged joysExciting in their plastic waysFrozen food in a concrete maze Too much near the truth they sayKeep it ’til another dayLet them have their little gameDelusion helps to keep them saneLet them have their little toysMatchbox cars and mortgaged joysExciting in their plastic waysFrozen food in a concrete maze Cornucopia So believe what I tell you, it’s the only way you’ll find in the endJust believe in yourself – you know you really shouldn’t have to pretendDon’t let those empty people try to interfere with your mindJust live your life and leave them all behind Under the Sun/Every Day Comes and Goes Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973) All songs written by Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. thumb|Just remember love is lifeAnd hate is living deathTreat your life for what it’s worthAnd live for every breath Nobody will ever let you knowWhen you ask the reason whyThey just tell you that you’re on your ownFill your head all full of lies Sabbath Bloody Sabbath Just remember love is lifeAnd hate is living deathTreat your life for what it’s worthAnd live for every breath A National Acrobat You thought that it would be easyFrom the very startNow I’ve found you outI don’t think you’re so smartI only have one more questionBefore my time is throughPlease I beg you tell meIn the name of hellWho are you? Who Are You Watching eyes of celluloidTell you how to liveMetaphoric motor-replayGive, give, give!Laughter kissing loveIs showing me the waySpiral city architectI build, you pay Spiral Architect Sabotage (1975) All songs written by Black Sabbath. thumb|I’ve watched the dogs of war enjoying their feastI’ve seen the western worldgo down in the eastThe food of love becamethe greed of our timeBut now I’m living on the profits of crime I’ve watched the dogs of war enjoying their feastI’ve seen the western world go down in the eastThe food of love became the greed of our timeBut now I’m living on the profits of crime Hole in the Sky Take me through the centuries to supersonic yearsElectrifying enemy is drowning in his tearsAll I have to give you is a love that never diesThe symptom of the universe is written in your eyes Symptom of the Universe Blow on a JugEverybody come on – blow on a jugBe like me and blow on a jugI want you to blow on a jugEverybody begin – blow on a jug Blow on a Jug Technical Ecstasy (1976) thumb|I’m a rock ‘n roll soldier, gonna play it until I’m dead thumb|The world is full ofKings and QueensWho blind your eyesand steal your dreamsIt’s Heaven and Hell thumb|If there isn’t light when no one sees, then how can I know what you might believe? A story told that can’t be real, somehow must reflect the truth we feel. thumb|For the thrust of my challenge is aimed at the hearts of mutant gods who think we’re all the same. They’re controlling our minds and they use us for fortune and fame. thumb|Hear the sound of distant agesIt’s the call of the seventh star All songs written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne, unless noted. I’m just another back street kidRock ‘n roll music is the only thing I really digCan’t stop the music going round inside my headI’m a rock ‘n roll soldier, gonna play it until I’m deadNobody I know is gonna take my rock ‘n roll away from me Back Street Kids Never Say Die! (1978) All songs written by Black Sabbath. thumb|It’s a part of me that tells youOh, don’t you everDon’t ever say dieNever, never, never say die It’s a part of me that tells youOh, don’t you everDon’t ever say dieNever, never, never say die Never Say Die And as the seasons turn the days to yearsShe holds her pictures, hears the silent cheersThe days grow lonely for the dancing queenAnd now she dances only in her dreams Air Dance Heaven and Hell (1980) All lyrics written by Ronnie James Dio. Cry out to legions of the braveTime again to save us from the jackals of the streetRide out, protectors of the realmCaptain’s at the helm, sail across the sea of lights Neon Knights We made the mountains shake with laughter as we playedHiding in our corner of the worldThen we did the demon dance and rushed to nevermoreThrew away the key and locked the door Children of the Sea The lover of life’s not a sinnerThe ending is just a beginnerThe closer you get to the meaningThe sooner you’ll know that you’re dreaming Heaven and Hell The world is full of Kings and QueensWho blind your eyes and steal your dreamsIt’s Heaven and Hell Heaven and Hell Life’s fantasy – to be locked away and still to think you’re free Die Young So live for todayTomorrow never comes Die Young Mob Rules (1981) All lyrics written by Ronnie James Dio. Nighttime sorrow, taken like a painBlack will not become a white, it’s all the sameEvil lurks in twilight, dances in the darkMakes you need the movement, like a fire needs a spark to burn! Turn Up the Night If there isn’t light when no one seesThen how can I know what you might believe?A story told that can’t be realSomehow must reflect the truth we feel The Sign of the Southern Cross From the book, the word is spokenWhispers from forgotten psalmsGather all around the young onesThey will make us strongReach above your dreams of pleasureGiven life to those who diedLook beyond your own horizonsSail the ship of signs The Sign of the Southern Cross I should be at the table roundA servant of the crownThe keeper of the signTo sparkle and to shine Falling Off the Edge of the World There’s a message inside as we build a new life from the past Falling Off the Edge of the World Don't live for pleasure, make life your treasure The Sign of the Southern Cross Born Again (1983) All songs written by Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ian Gillan, unless noted. Good life is contradiction because of the crucifixionIf you’re ready and have the need, I will take your soul and plant my seed Disturbing the Priest The devil and the priest can’t exist if one goes awayIt’s just like the battle of the sun and the moon and night and dayThe force of the devil, that’s we’re all told to fearWatch out for religion when he gets too near too near Disturbing the Priest As you look through my windowDeep into my roomAt the tapestries all fadedTheir vague and distant gloriesConcealed in the gloomThe icy fingers of forgotten passionsSoftly brushing my lipsAt the tips of my primitive soul Born Again For the thrust of my challenge is aimedAt the hearts of mutant godswho think we’re all the sameThey’re controlling our mindsAnd they use us for fortune and fame Born Again Seventh Star (1986) thumb|Crowned in his ancient gloryThere’s a king within us all All lyrics written by Tony Iommi, Glenn Hughes, Geoff Nicholls and Jeff Glixman. Hear the sound of distant agesIt’s the call of the seventh star Seventh Star The Eternal Idol (1987) All lyrics written by Tony Iommi. In the wisdom of the prophet’sNever-ending tale“Open up the eyesWithin your mind,” he saysCrowned in his ancient gloryThere’s a king within us allSome will say it’s all in vainThat he doesn’t have a name Ancient Warrior He’s not one thing, we are his spiritWe could save this world from destruction day Eternal Idol Headless Cross (1989) thumb|How do you feel, when the locks refuse the key and the master is calling your name? Does the luck of the charm, really keep you from harm? Does the talisman protect you from pain? All songs written by Black Sabbath. How do you feel, when the locks refuse the keyand the master is calling your nameDoes the luck of the charm, really keep you from harm?Does the talisman protect you from pain? Headless Cross Tell me not fear of the flames means that heaven is closerFor I believe Satan lives, in the souls of the dyingMisguided mortals, you’ll burn with meSpirit of man, cannot be freed. When Death Calls Your assassin has cursed every spectreThe seal is broken, the oath has been crossedand the house of the dead seeks a master Kill in the Spirit World Fear of the devil has no place among the braveFaced with pain, there’s a battle to be wonAll eyes are on you, like a lost Eternal Light Call of the Wild Tyr (1990) All lyrics written by Tony Martin. thumb|Do you follow the path that so many tread? Are you among the blind so easily lead? Do you follow the path that so many tread?Are you among the blind so easily lead? Anno Mundi What God is this that stands to hear his people cry?What hand would strike and watch his people die?What life that takes, what future did we earn?It’s our mistakes, take heed the Sabbath Stones The Sabbath Stones Dehumanizer (1992) All songs written by Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio and Tony Iommi. Oh there’s insufficient evidenceOf what just might come afterBut sometimes out of nowhereThere’s demented sounds of laughter After All (The Dead) thumb|You’ll see you’ve got invisible chainsThey’re only liesNot what it seems Looking for the worldWhen you’ve opened up your eyesYou’ll see you’ve got invisible chainsThey’re only liesNot what it seemsI hear your silent screams Time Machine Cross Purposes (1994) thumb|You better run from the holy man, the eyes that will are set upon you. Listen not to verse and prayer, songs that thrill and voices tempt you.The inner flame has fear of death, never, has light ever seemed so dark. Pilgrims of sabbocracy, hear the hounds of heaven, as they bark All songs written by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Tony Martin, unless noted. You better run from the holy man, the eyes thatWill are set upon you,Listen not to verse and prayer, songs that thrillAnd voices tempt youThe inner flame has fear of death, never, hasLight ever seemed so dark.Pilgrims of sabbocracy, hear the hounds ofHeaven, as they bark I Witness Can you hear, the people sing their songTo tunes of glory, they move as one.Refugees of liberation marching on. Sing your songs, rock the nation, write of wrongs. Dying for Love What’s the use of powerWhen the battle isn’t equalAnd we’re all too scared to use it anywayWhat’s the point of reasonWhen no one wants to listenDeliverance is all too far away What's the Use? Forbidden (1995) thumb|All of your life,they try to take your cover,Turn you into another,and make you change your name. All lyrics written by Tony Martin, unless noted. Fool, you’re caught in a complex catacomb of your own inadequcies and pitiful weaknesses,Your soul secretes insecurity.So you live on the reflection side of the mirror; you’re terrified of true power.You Fear The Illusion of Power, written by Tony Martin and Ice-T All of your life, they try to take your cover,Turn you into another, and make you change your name.When you fall, it’s up to you to recover,You can’t depend on another, to help you with the pain Shaking Off the Chains 13 (2013) All lyrics written by Geezer Butler, unless noted. Regeneration of your Cyber sonic soul,transformed in time and space beyond control.Rise up resist and be the master of your fate.Don’t look back, live for today, tomorrow is too late. End of the Beginning thumb|To safeguard my philosophyUntil my dying breathI transfer from realityInto a living dead To safeguard my philosophyUntil my dying breathI transfer from realityInto a living deadI empathize with enemies until the time is rightWith God and Satan at my side, from darkness will come lightI watch the rain as it turns redGive me more wine I don’t need breadThese riddles that live inside my head God Is Dead? Politics, religion, love of money too.It’s what the world was built for but not for me and you Age of Reason Guess we’re all running out of timeSo live your own life and let me live mineTo each their own to question whyWe’re all just links that forge the chain of life Naïveté in Black Other There are whispers between the screamsThat this deed can be doneEven sinners must dreamAnd I can be the one to make the Devil cry The Devil Cried, from the 2007 compilation album The Dio Years Quotes about Black Sabbath Quite simply, metal music would not exist if it wasn’t for the Birmingham legends, Black Sabbath. After taking blues and early rock music to darker and more aggressive sonic territory, Black Sabbath invented heavy metal music with their pioneering and master-crafted albums throughout the 1970s. [...] the band’s first six albums are some of most influential records in all of metal and they’ve single handedly paved the path for every band and sub-genre under the metal umbrella. Quentin Thane Singer of Forbes It's generally acknowledged that the first true heavy metal band was Black Sabbath. [...] Iommi's memorable riffs and Osbourne's distinctive voice spewing generally dark lyrics made Sabbath turn the rock world in its ears — and we're still grateful for it all. Black Sabbath will forever be one of the first bands any guitar player hears as a recommendation to begin with, and for good reason. A song such as “Paranoid” offers some simplistic but fun guitar riffs to play while teaching the fundamentals you’re going to need to progress past the first stage of playing. I think of rock 'n' roll as a bitch... and I nursed at the teat of Black Sabbath. - Krist Novoselic of Nirvana Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970–1978) Black Sabbath will always be the standard for every alienated, dirthead kid who's trying to figure out the answer to, "What is this that stands before me?" - Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970–1978), page 2 I brought melody and classicalness and a great amount of musicality to this band. Ozzy began it, and he deserves all the accolades he can get because he helped invent this kind of music. What he did was absolutely right for what it was, but music grew at that point, and I think it grew beyond what Ozzy was capable of giving an audience from a musical standpoint. Ronnie James Dio, as quoted in "Black Is Really White" by Andrew Miller, Orlando Weekly (13 September 2007) Ronnie was so enthusiastic, and he could play instruments which Ozzy couldn't play, so it was easy to communicate with him, and for him to communicate musically with us. That enthusiasm gives us all a kick up the bum. Geezer Butler, as quoted in "BLACK SABBATH's Geezer Butler Talks DIO Era - 'I Was So Pissed Off Writing Lyrics Towards The End Of The OZZY Era'" by Tim Henderson, Brave Words (29 March 2021) External links Black Sabbath Official website Category:English bands Category:Heavy metal bands Category:Doom metal