According to the band, the song was inspired by an experience that Geezer Butler had related to Ozzy Osbourne. In the days of Earth, Butler painted his apartment matte black and placed several inverted crucifixes on the walls. Osbourne gave Butler a book about witchcraft. He read the book and placed the book on a shelf before going to sleep. When he woke up, he claims he saw a large black figure standing at the end of his bed. The figure disappeared and Butler went to get the book, only to find that the book was gone. He then told Osbourne, who wrote the lyrics to the song.
A version of this song from Black Sabbath's first demo exists on the Ozzy Osbourne compilation album The Ozzman Cometh. The song has an extra verse with additional vocals from Osbourne, right before the bridge into the fast part of the song.
The main riff, a retarded variation of Gustav Holst's main theme from "Mars, the Bringer of War" ("The Planets, Op. 32"), is constructed with a harmonic progression including a diminished fifth. This particular interval is often known as 'diabolus in musica', for it has musical qualities which are often used to suggest satanic connotations in Western music. The song "Black Sabbath" was one of the earliest examples in heavy metal to make use of this interval, and since then, the genre has made extensive use of diabolus in musica.
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Figure in black which points at me
Turn 'round quick and start to run
Find out I'm the chosen one
Oh, no
Big black shape with eyes of fire
Telling people their desire
Satan's sitting there, he's smiling
Watches those flames get higher and higher
Oh no, no, please God, help me
Is it the end, my friend?
Satan's coming 'round the bend
People running 'cause they're scared
The people better go and beware
No, no, please, no
The lyrical content of the song “Black Sabbath” by the eponymous heavy metal band delves into dark and macabre themes. The song describes a figure in black pointing at the singer in the song, causing him to panic and attempt to escape. The figure is further described as a big black shape with eyes of fire, which is likely to be a devilish creature or a satanic entity. The lyrics suggest that the singer is being pursued by Satan, who is depicted as watching the flames of hell get higher and higher as he smiles.
As the song progresses, the lyrics suggest that the end of the world is imminent, with Satan coming around the bend as people run scared. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and desperation as the singer pleads with God for help. The song ultimately portrays a world overrun by evil and consumed by darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
What is this that stands before me?
The singer is in shock, unable to comprehend what they are seeing.
Figure in black which points at me
The singer sees a dark figure that appears to be singling them out.
Turn 'round quick and start to run
The singer's instinct is to flee.
Find out I'm the chosen one
The artist realizes this figure has chosen them for something, but they don't know what it is.
Oh, no
The artist's fear and panic increase.
Big black shape with eyes of fire
The figure has a monstrous appearance, with burning eyes that suggest supernatural power.
Telling people their desire
The figure is able to manipulate people's desires and intentions.
Satan's sitting there, he's smiling
The artist recognizes this figure as Satan himself, and Satan seems to be enjoying the chaos he is causing.
Watches those flames get higher and higher
Satan is overseeing some kind of destructive event.
Oh no, no, please God, help me
The artist feels helpless and calls upon a higher power for aid.
Is it the end, my friend?
The singer struggles to accept that the situation might be beyond rescue.
Satan's coming 'round the bend
The artist feels like Satan is closing in on them.
People running 'cause they're scared
Those not affected by Satan's influence are fleeing the area out of pure fear.
The people better go and beware
The singer urges others to be careful and watch out for what is happening.
No, no, please, no
The singer can't accept what's happening and pleads for it to stop.
Lyrics © Onward Music Limited
Written by: Anthony Iommi, John Osbourne, Terrence Butler, William Ward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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+HeavyMetal MK day: Black Sabath
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Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath
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@blearyblazon4355
It's funny that you can't understand a word when Ozzy speaks but when he sings it's like honey dripping down your throat
@billsmith7642
Lol like Boomhauer from King of the Hill....when speaking is like "Hey yo mang, talka bout dem dang ole whippersnappers, runnin round wit crosses, talk bout movin on downna line wit groceries n ding bats catchin catfish rippin me off on dang ole interweb"....but then sings "Blue Moon of Kentucky" with pure clarity
@silverbat5873
Muscle and voice memory after the strokes and insane drug use. he remembers the songs #1
@GilliganRocks
Y'all know most of that is an act right?