Over the years, singer Ozzy Osbourne has often complained in interviews that this album marked the beginning of what he described as Tony Iommi's studio production obsession. Sabotage took considerably longer to record and produce than each of their preceding albums, making it the most costly Black Sabbath album to that point. In comparison, the band's first album, Black Sabbath (1970), took only 12 hours to record at a cost of a few hundred pounds.
The album is a mix of heavy, powerful songs such as "Hole in the Sky" and "Symptom of the Universe", and softer experimental songs such as "Supertzar" and "Am I Going Insane (Radio)", which are similar to the band's previous album. The title of the latter caused some confusion due to the "(Radio)" part, which led people to believe the song was a radio cut or radio version. However, this is the only version of the song. The term "radio-rental" is rhyming slang for "mental". The song itself is very different from the typical Ozzy Osbourne-era Black Sabbath song. It features no heavy guitar riff; instead, a keyboard riff is prominent. The song concludes with an "insane laugh" which carries into "The Writ".
Sabotage was released on 27 June 1975. For the second time, a Black Sabbath album initially saw favourable reviews, with Rolling Stone stating "Sabotage is not only Black Sabbath's best record since Paranoid, it might be their best ever", although later reviewers such as AllMusic noted that "the magical chemistry that made such albums as Paranoid and Volume 4 so special was beginning to disintegrate".
Sabotage cracked the top 20 in the United Kingdom and peaked at number 28 in the United States. It was certified Silver (60,000 units sold) in the UK by the BPI on 1 December 1975 and Gold in the US on 16 June 1997, but was the band's first release not to achieve platinum status in the US. Songs such as "Hole in the Sky", and "Symptom of the Universe" became fan favourites, with the latter's chugging riff even cited as an early example of thrash metal. Black Sabbath toured in support of Sabotage with openers Kiss, but were forced to cut the tour short in November 1975, following a motorcycle accident in which Osbourne ruptured a muscle in his back.
Track listing:
All songs written and composed by Black Sabbath.
No. Title Length
1. "Hole in the Sky" 3:59
2. "Don't Start (Too Late)" (instrumental) 0:49
3. "Symptom of the Universe" 6:29
4. "Megalomania" 9:46
5. "The Thrill of It All" 5:56
6. "Supertzar" (instrumental) 3:44
7. "Am I Going Insane (Radio)" 4:16
8. "The Writ" 8:09
On some of the first vinyl/cassette releases (and all of the remastered versions of the album) there is a short, 23-second hidden track titled "Blow on a Jug" at the end of "The Writ". Recorded at very low volume, it features Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward goofing around in the studio.
Personnel:
Ozzy Osbourne – lead vocals
Tony Iommi – lead & rhythm guitar
Terry "Geezer" Butler – bass guitar (miscredited as "Tony 'Geezer' Butler" in the story of the band on the Canadian CD issue)
Bill Ward – drums
Gerald "Jezz" Woodruffe – keyboards
Will Malone – arrangements for the English Chamber Choir
Mike Butcher – co-producer / engineer
Robin Black – engineer
David Harris – tape operator and saboteur
Hole in the Sky
Black Sabbath Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm seeing nowhere through the eyes of a lie
I'm getting closer to the end of the line
I'm living easy where the sun doesn't shine
I'm living in a room without any view
I'm living free because the rent's never due
The synonyms of all the things that I've said
Are just the riddles that are built in my head
Hole in the sky, take me to heaven
Window in time, through it I fly
I've seen the stars disappear in the sun
The shooting's easy if you've got the right gun
And even though I'm sitting waiting for Mars
I don't believe there's any future in cause
Hole in the sky, take me to heaven
Window in time, through it I fly
Yeah
I've watched the dogs of war enjoying their feast
I've seen the western world go down in the east
The food of love became the greed of our time
But now I'm living on the profits of pride
The lyrics to Black Sabbath's "Hole in the Sky" are contemplative and introspective, exploring themes of disillusionment and escapism. The singer describes looking through a hole in the sky and seeing nowhere, suggesting a feeling of being lost and aimless. He acknowledges that he is living in a room without a view, but also notes that he is living free and without worry about rent. However, he recognizes that the synonyms of all the things he has said are just riddles built in his head, pointing to the idea that his thoughts and words may not accurately reflect reality.
The chorus of the song, with its repeated call to be taken to heaven through a hole in the sky or window in time, emphasizes the singer's desire for escape and release from the difficulties of the world around him. He acknowledges that he has seen the stars disappear in the sun, suggesting that he has watched things that he once thought were dependable and grounding disappear or be rendered useless. He also notes that the shooting is easy if you have the right gun, indicating that there may be violent or harmful behaviors that are enabled or empowered by society. However, even as he waits for Mars (which could symbolize a new, better life or opportunity), he doesn't believe there's any future in cause, suggesting a sense of hopelessness.
Finally, the singer notes that he has watched the dogs of war enjoying their feast and seen the western world go down in the east. He comments on how love has turned into greed and suggests a general malaise or disappointment with humanity. However, he concludes by saying he is now living on the profits of pride, which could be read as an assertion of personal empowerment or a resignation to a way of living that focuses on self-gain rather than collective good.
Overall, "Hole in the Sky" is a complex and densely packed song that touches on a variety of interconnected themes. Its lyrics suggest a sense of alienation from the world around us but also an awareness of personal agency and the possibility for freedom and escape.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking through a hole in the sky
I am viewing the world with a distorted perspective that doesn't show the full picture.
I'm seeing nowhere through the eyes of a lie
The lies that I have been told have caused me to lose my sense of direction and purpose.
I'm getting closer to the end of the line
My time is running out and the end is within sight.
I'm living easy where the sun doesn't shine
I am living in a dark, miserable place where life is difficult and joy is scarce.
I'm living in a room without any view
My environment is bleak and without hope; there is no beauty or positivity to be found.
I'm living free because the rent's never due
I am able to live without financial worry, but this does not make me truly free or happy.
The synonyms of all the things that I've said
The words I use to express myself are just alternate versions of the same ideas, and do not necessarily convey any deeper meaning.
Are just the riddles that are built in my head
The confusion I feel about the world is reflected in the way I communicate, as I am unable to express myself clearly and directly.
I've seen the stars disappear in the sun
I have seen the beauty of the world be overshadowed by the harshness of reality.
The shooting's easy if you've got the right gun
It is easy to do harm if you have the tools to do so, regardless of morality or justice.
And even though I'm sitting waiting for Mars
Despite my longing for escape and adventure, I recognize that it may never come and I may be trapped in this harsh reality forever.
I don't believe there's any future in cause
I do not have faith in the idea of fighting for a cause, as I believe it will only result in more suffering and pain.
I've watched the dogs of war enjoying their feast
I have seen the cruel and malicious people of the world revel in destruction and violence.
I've seen the western world go down in the east
I have observed the decline of the Western world and the rise of the East, and the changing balance of global power.
The food of love became the greed of our time
Humanity's ability to love and care for each other has been replaced by greed and the pursuit of material wealth.
But now I'm living on the profits of pride
Despite the harshness of reality, I am able to survive and even thrive through my pride and determination to succeed.
Hole in the sky, take me to heaven
I yearn for escape from this harsh reality and a release from the pain I feel.
Window in time, through it I fly
I long to escape the present and find peace in the memories of a happier time.
Yeah
An expression of agreement or assent.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Michael Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, William Ward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ferenc Zakharides
on Sweet Leaf
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