Paranoid by Black Sabbath

Artist
Genre Metal
Release 29 December 1970
Price $9.99
Tracks 8
Country USA
9.99 USD
4
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  1. Black Sabbath - Paranoid Album Songs
  2. Paranoid by Black Sabbath Album Reviews
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Black Sabbath - Paranoid Album Songs

No Song Title Time
1. War Pigs / Luke's Wall 7:54
2. Paranoid 2:48
3. Planet Caravan 4:29
4. Iron Man 5:55
5. Electric Funeral 4:49
6. Hand Of Doom 7:08
7. Rat Salad 2:30
8. Jack The Stripper / Fairies Wear Bo... 6:12

"Paranoid" is the second album by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released in September 1970 through Vertigo Records. The album consists of some of the band's most readily identifiable work including "Iron Man", "War Pigs", and "Paranoid". The album is regarded as a classic, and one of the most influential of the heavy metal genre. It has been certified quadruple platinum with over four million copies in the US alone, making it Black Sabbath's best-selling album. The "Paranoid" single, released before the album, reached number four in the UK. Pushed by its success, the album hit number one in the UK, and is the only Black Sabbath album to have done so. The US release was held until January 1971, as the Black Sabbath album was still on the charts at the time of Paranoid's UK release. The album broke into the top ten in the US in March 1971, and would go on to sell four million copies in the US alone, with virtually no radio airplay. The chart success of "Paranoid" in the US allowed the band to tour there for the first time in December 1970. This spawned the release of the album's second single "Iron Man", and although it failed to reach the top 40, "Iron Man" remains one of Black Sabbath's most popular songs. The album was again panned by music critics of the era. However, modern-day music critics are much more favourable towards the album than those of the time. An example is Allmusic's Steve Huey, who cites "Paranoid" as "one of the greatest and most influential heavy metal albums of all time", which "defined the sound and style of metal, more than any other record in history". * In 1999, Q Magazine (12/99, p.170) included it in their list of The Best Gothic Albums Of All Time, writing that, " stamped their bombastic and doom-laden imprint on British rock forever." * In 1999, Vibe (12/99, p.162) included it on their list of 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century. * In 2003, the album was ranked number 130 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. * In 2006, the album was ranked number 6 on Guitar World magazine's list of The Greatest 100 Guitar Albums of All Time. * As of January 2009, the album is # 60 on Rate Your Music's Top Albums of All Time list and #2 on their Best Albums of 1970 ranking. After the release of their eponymous debut album in February 1970, Black Sabbath returned to the studio in June that year, again with producer Rodger Bain, to record their second album. The album was recorded at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios in London, England. The album's eponymous single "Paranoid" was written in the studio at the last minute. As drummer Bill Ward explains: "We didn't have enough songs for the album, and Tony just played the "Paranoid" guitar lick and that was it. It took twenty, twenty-five minutes from top to bottom." The song was written with no intention of it being a successful hit for the band, only to be a filler on the album. The album was originally titled "War Pigs", but allegedly the record company changed it to Paranoid, fearing backlash from supporters of the ongoing Vietnam War. At the time, the band felt that the song was lighter, with the potential to become a single. However, the band's visual interpretation of a "war pig" was still featured on the cover; a distorted, eerie photograph of a man with sword and shield jumping out from behind a tree. This image confused many of the band's fans, who thought that the image did not resemble the album title to any extent. The original UK vinyl release was in a gatefold sleeve. The inner of the gatefold had a black and white photo of the band, posed outdoors on a grassy hill, and was their first appearance on album artwork. To spread the original picture over the gatefold, Ozzy Osbourne was separated from the other members of the band and a section of the grass was copied and dropped into the gap. This is only readily apparent if one compares it with the original photograph. In comparison with their previous album, the songs on "Paranoid" were given more focus and direction, with less improvisation. However the lyrical content is equally as dark, exploring themes such as war, mental illness, drug abuse and sci-fi horror. Much of the album could be viewed as a kind of social commentary. Spin magazine wrote that the band "saw heavy rock as a way to emulate the horrors of a fallen world." The lyrics of the opening song, "War Pigs", discuss war and the absurdities of those who make war without regard for those forced to fight it. It is often viewed as a protest song. Similarly, the lyrics of "Electric Funeral" discuss the bleak aftermath of nuclear warfare. These songs were written in the midst of the Vietnam War and the Cold War, and could be seen as quite representative of the political situation at the time. The song "Paranoid" is uncharacteristically fast and simplistic for Black Sabbath in their early days. Supposedly the band members intended it only as an interlude or as "filler". Its lyrics concern the stigma of mental illness. In a related way, "Iron Man" is about a time traveller from the future who has been turned to steel. He is outcast by society but eventually takes his revenge on humanity. It is also a reference to Vietnam war veterans, who upon returning from war were outcast by society and had no help re-integrating into normal life or dealing with their post war mental disorders. The song "Iron Man" is thematically very similar to the Ted Hughes novel, The Iron Man. This book was made into an animated film which was called The Iron Giant. Three songs on the album appear to concern dreams, hallucinations and drug use. "Planet Caravan" and "Fairies Wear Boots" are quite psychedelic in style and their lyrics are quite abstract. "Hand of Doom" was written as a message against heroin use. The song transitions between slow, soft passages and fast, loud passages as a representation of the drug being injected. ℗ 1970 Warner Records Inc. Marketed by Rhino Entertainment, a Warner Music Group Company.

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Paranoid by Black Sabbath Album Reviews

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Ozzman Rocketh!. It's about time they release all of this good old Sabbath! A must have in your collection.

The best metal album EVER. There isn’t a bad song on this album. If you like metal or even just rock music, buy it.

The best album ever. KxiexjjcjaodidokodkckdiwdifisjdjcjdiskxidkxifkekdkfjjeicidkwjdfjfisiwmjxjwnkwncncjdhaksikwkieofigifidiwifiviskfkdkiddkckxnKxiexjjcjaodidokodkckdiwdifisjdjcjdiskxidkxifkekdkfjjeicidkwjdfjfisiwmjxjwnkwncncjdhaksikwkieofigifidiwifiviskfkdkiddkckxn

Gotta have it.. A classic. War Pigs is my favorite song by Black Sabbath. Ozzy’s voice is much better here than it was on the first album. Great picture of the band on the inside. Every Black Sabbath fan should own this.

DownsouthTX817. Classic!!!!

Amazing. I love black Sabbath and so should everyone else

Flawless. Bill Ward on drums. Enough said!

Legendary. One of the greatest albums in our vast musical history. If any proof is further needed just listen to the cosmic transmissions of Planet Caravan.

How can you not love it!?. Something I never get tired of. I would be depressed without it. If your kid asks you to buy "Purpose" by Justin bieber, give them this instead.

Literal history. No one can deny that this is a masterpiece In the slightest. The instrumentals are amazing, the lyrics are revolutionary and Ozzy is the front man any heavy metal band would want. 10/10

YES!!!!. This is the first hard rock/metal album that I ever listened to. Do not only is it a classic, it is THE classic album. It has all of the best Sabbath songs and none other than Ozzy on vocals. This album is essential. ROCK ON!!!! THIS IS REAL MUSIC!!!!!!

I mean come on. It’s Black Sabbath, so what do you expect? It’s gonna be good.

Awesome!. “Paranoid” is such a great song!

Classic. This belongs in any discussion about the greatest metal album of all time. True classic and set the standard for all the metal that followed.

So Happy to see Paranoid. I grew up listening to Black Sabbath "Paranoid" My vinyl got broken. Barry was my friend who listened to Balck Sabbath with me passed just after High School in the 80's I still think of the times in the audio room in high school with head phones on and 420 cranking "Paranoid" . I will always remember you Barry.

I play Iron man in band. It’s a great song and the instrumental is so good!!!!

You gotta believe me. Fairies wear boots. This is a great album, and my first metal album.

Michael t Hurtado. lol family members

Lol I’m old school cause I love this.. Y’all newer gamers probably don’t know that iron man instrumental edition was the main screen title for the og forza Motorsports

The First True "Heavy Metal" Album. This album singlehandedly blew everything else away in terms of heaviness, and it was even considered "satanic". However, this album addressed some pretty grim real life issues, such as corrupt politicians and the Vietnam War. The tracks are well crafted and give off excellent vibes.

life without paraniod. hmmm well i just cant imagine what it would be like if we had not had this work. lawrence welk on every station... shutter and cringe

As they say in America, this is lit, fam. Lit

Do yourself a favor, buy the album!. This (along with pretty much all of sabbaths other stuff) is absolutely amazing. The guitar work alone is worth the buy. Lyrics are great vocals are great guitar is great drums are great. While it is nice to have this digitally on my phone, I also recommend getting this on vinyl! Original pressing if possible. Sounds sooooo good!

Truly a revolutionary masterpiece. Please listen to this album for YOUR sake

Best album ever. Every song is memorable. That is all

I am IRON MAN. This is by far the best song ever written by Black Sabbath in my opinion

Just pure greatness!!!!!. The number one greatest Hard Rock and Heavy Metal album ever made.

Sabbath!!!. This album defines heavy metal. All hail the Fathers of Metal, Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill.

Hello. Gsy vdr fidgets year d

The definitive Ozzy-era masterpiece. There's a reason a band like Black Sabbath is so revered and important in metal. Sabbath is one of those bands that managed to make excellent albums with multiple singers throughout their career (Iron Maiden, ACDC, genesis, and van halen come to mind) and while Ozzy's era is the best, it's tough to say for most people which album during the original era is best. For my money, Paranoid is the definitive Ozzy-era album, as many of their best known songs come from this album. From the epic opener War Pigs, the short but iconic Paranoid and the magnum opus Iron Man to lesser known tracks like Electric Wizard, Hand of Doom and Rat Salad, this record is full of killers. This is also the best Black Sabbath record for anyone who's new to the band.

The Birth of Heavy Metal. This is a must have for any fan of heavy metal. If you looked up any successful heavy or hard band in the past 20 years, most of them would list Black Sabbath as their influence. This is arguably their best known and best album. Listen from start to finish! All killer and no filler!!!

great album. The best tracks are hand of doom and rat salad.

Very good. Ya know you wonder how many times Ozzy has woken up and thought “where am I" that's part of what makes Sabbath so awesome though.

Paranoid 1970. Album was way ahead of its time I was 12 years old in 1970 and it paved my way to like this type of music best album of all time

The greatest. Undisputed

Heavy Metal classic. Paranoid has more complex themes about war and insanity. It has a slightly more modern sound than the debut, and is faster. Standouts are war pigs, the title track, iron man, and hand of doom.

50th anniversary. Are you going to release the 50th Anniversary edition of Paranoid ? Supposed to be a 4 CD set. With extra live Sabbath on it. Also I would like to see Live At Last released or Past Lives. Love the original Sabbath live stuff from years ago

The best!. This is by far my favorite album and the best album released by the Fathers of Heavy Metal!

Best Album Ever. The best songs of Black Sabbath ever are one this album ..

Amazing. What can you say about this album . Masterpiece . That's all .

Just got this for free. Thanks, Google!. I was only 9 when this came out, didn’t discover it until the late ‘70s when in high school. This beast was one of my favorites when I discovered it, along with Rush’s 2112, Led’s first few albums, and Boston’s first masterpiece. Gawd, these guys were tuned in on this work. 40 years after discovering it, I’m still listening to it and getting into their work. I did get this from Google Play for free, but Apple’s iTS mix sounds much better (I just heard it on my GF’s Mac) - free isn’t necessarily better...

Truly a definitive album. Doom metal at its finest. It takes true talent for a band to incorporate punk metal with themes touch on in Iron man, Electric Funeral, War Pigs, ect. This is a classic.

🎸 🤘🏻. Greatest heavy metal album of ALL time!!! 🔥 🤘🏻🎸

Gods of metal!. All metal heads are bound by decree to respect the sabbath! All hail🤘💀

Fak yeaaaahhh!. Love me some sabbath

From an old man. This is just the BEST ALBUM ever by Black Sabbeth.

AWESOME METAL!!!. You could argue that their debut is their best album, but when Black Sabbath released this album, they were full force on making something hard and heavy, ( “Paranoid”, “Iron Man” ) but also let the album have it’s softer moments. ( “Planet Caravan” ). This is, in my opinion, my favorite Sabbth album. Nice work.

My first metal. Originally bought album when I was 14 in 1970, didn’t have a clue what it meant just knew I liked it, my mother wouldn’t let me play it in the house, guess she could see what was coming!

A true classic. This is truly one of the best and most influential albums ever created.

Out-Freaking-Rageous. Black Sabbath-Paranoid-YES!!!!

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