Video hit Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath - Iron Man

"Iron Man" is a song by British heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

It is taken from their second studio album, Paranoid, released in 1970. It was later included on their initial greatest hits compilation We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll (1976), as well as all subsequent greatest hits compilations.

The song was originally entitled "Iron Bloke", a title conceived by vocalist Ozzy Osbourne.

Upon hearing the main guitar riff for the first time, Osbourne remarked that it sounded "like a big iron bloke walking about" (bloke being used in British English similar to how guy or dude are used in America).

The title was later changed to "Iron Man", with Geezer Butler writing the lyrics around the title.

Despite the song's title, it bears no connection to the Marvel Comics superhero character Iron Man, which was created and first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39, March 1963, seven years prior to the song's publication. The song has since become associated with the character by fans of both; the popular 2008 film Iron Man, based on the comic books, features an instrumental rendition of "Iron Man" during the credits.

In the 2012 film The Avengers, set in the same continuity as the Iron Man films, Tony Stark is seen wearing a Black Sabbath shirt when not in the Iron Man armor, as a tribute to the band and song.

Butler wrote the lyrics as the story of a man who time travels into the future, and sees the apocalypse. In the process of returning to the present, he is turned into steel by a magnetic field. He is rendered mute, unable verbally to warn people of his time of the impending destruction. His attempts to communicate are ignored and mocked. This causes Iron Man to become angry, and have his revenge on mankind, causing the destruction seen in his vision.

The lyrics:

Has he lost his mind?

Can he see or is he blind?

Is he alive or dead?

Has he thoughts within his head?

He was turned to steel.

In the great magnetic field.

When he traveled time,

For the future of mankind

He was turned to steel.

In the great magnetic field.

When he traveled time,

For the future of mankind

Nobody wants him,

He just stares at the world.

Planning his vengeance,

That he will soon unfold.

Now the time is here

For iron man to spread fear

Vengeance from the grave

Kills the people he once saved

Nobody wants him

They just turn their heads

Nobody helps him

Now he has his revenge

Heavy boots of lead

Fills his victims full of dread

Running as fast as they can

Iron man lives again!