Paranoid by Black Sabbath 1970 Iconic piece #rock #music #nostalgia

Details

Description

Reminiscing old time songs that never fades

"Paranoid" – Black Sabbath

Release Date: September 18, 1970

Album: Paranoid

Genre: Heavy Metal, Hard Rock

Written by: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward

Length: 2:48

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Song Summary & Meaning

"Paranoid" is a raw, fast-paced anthem expressing feelings of depression, anxiety, and detachment. The narrator feels disconnected from reality and unable to find joy or purpose:

“Finished with my woman ’cause she couldn’t help me with my mind…”
“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.”

Despite its dark subject matter, its energetic tempo contrasts the lyrics, making it one of Black Sabbath’s most accessible tracks.


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Background

Written last minute as a filler track; guitarist Tony Iommi came up with the riff in minutes.

Bassist Geezer Butler wrote the lyrics about mental health struggles — though they didn’t intend it to be profound, it resonated deeply with listeners.

Ozzy Osbourne’s haunting vocals gave it a manic, urgent feel that helped define early heavy metal.