Black Sabbath – Paranoid – 1970

About The Song

“Paranoid” is the second studio album by the British rock band Black Sabbath, released in 1970. Widely regarded as one of the pioneering albums in the heavy metal genre, it features iconic tracks that have left a lasting impact on the music industry.

Five facts about Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”:

1. Title Track Success: The album’s title track, “Paranoid,” became one of Black Sabbath’s signature songs and a classic in the heavy metal genre. It’s known for its distinctive riff and powerful lyrics.
2. Recording Time Constraint: Black Sabbath recorded the album in a very short time frame. Due to pressure from the record label, the band had to write and record much of the material in just a few days. Despite this, the album was a critical and commercial success.
3. Influential Album Cover: The album’s cover art, featuring a man in a vague state of distress, has become one of the most recognizable and iconic images in the history of rock music. The image is often associated with the album’s darker and heavier musical content.
4. Commercial Success: “Paranoid” was a major commercial success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart. In the United States, it peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200. The album’s success played a crucial role in establishing Black Sabbath as a leading force in the emerging heavy metal scene.
5. Diverse Tracks: The album showcases a range of musical styles, from the heavy and ominous title track to more blues-influenced songs like “Planet Caravan” and “Hand of Doom.” This diversity contributed to the album’s broad appeal and enduring popularity.

Video

Lyrics

Finished with my woman ’cause
She couldn’t help me with my mind
People think I’m insane because
I am frowning all the time

All day long I think of things
But nothing seems to satisfy
Think I’ll lose my mind
If I don’t find something to pacify

Can you help me
Occupy my brain?
Oh yeah

I need someone to show me
The things in life that I can’t find
I can’t see the things that make
True happiness, I must be blind

Make a joke and I will sigh
And you will laugh and I will cry
Happiness I cannot feel
And love to me is so unreal

And so as you hear these words
Telling you now of my state
I tell you to enjoy life
I wish I could but it’s too late