After previous iterations of the group – the Polka Tulk Blues Band and Earth – the band settled on the name Black Sabbath in 1969. They distinguished themselves through occult themes with horror-inspired lyrics and down-tuned guitars. Signing to Philips Records in November 1969, they released their first single, "Evil Woman", in January 1970, and their debut album, Black Sabbath, was released the following month. Though it received a negative critical response, the album was a commercial success, leading to a follow-up record, Paranoid, later that year. The band's popularity grew, and by 1973's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, critics were starting to respond favourably.
Osbourne's excessive substance abuse led to his firing in 1979. He was replaced by former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Following two albums with Dio, Black Sabbath endured many personnel changes in the 1980s and 1990s that included vocalists Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Tony Martin, as well as several drummers and bassists. Martin, who replaced Gillan in 1987, was the second-longest serving vocalist and recorded three albums with Black Sabbath before his dismissal in 1991. That same year, Iommi and Butler were rejoined by Dio and drummer Vinny Appice to record Dehumanizer (1992). After two more studio albums with Martin, who replaced Dio in 1993, the band's original line-up reunited in 1997 and released a live album, Reunion, the following year; they continued to tour occasionally until 2005. Other than various back catalogue reissues and compilation albums, as well as the Mob Rules-era line-up reunited as Heaven & Hell, there was no further activity under the Black Sabbath until 2011 with the release of their final studio album and 19th overall, 13, in 2013, which features all of the original members except Ward. During their farewell tour, the band played their final concert in their home city of Birmingham on 4 February 2017. Occasional partial reunions have happened since, most recently when Osbourne and Iommi performed together at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Black Sabbath have sold over 70 million records worldwide as of 2013, making them one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands. Black Sabbath, together with Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, have been referred to as the "unholy trinity of British hard rock and heavy metal in the early to mid-seventies". They were ranked by MTV as the "Greatest Metal Band of All Time" and placed second on VH1's "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list. Rolling Stone magazine ranked them number 85 on their "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Black Sabbath were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. They have also won two Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance, and in 2019 the band were presented a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sabbath
Studio albums
Black Sabbath (1970)
Paranoid (1970)
Master of Reality (1971)
Vol. 4 (1972)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)
Sabotage (1975)
Technical Ecstasy (1976)
Never Say Die! (1978)
Heaven and Hell (1980)
Mob Rules (1981)
Born Again (1983)
Seventh Star (1986)
The Eternal Idol (1987)
Headless Cross (1989)
Tyr (1990)
Dehumanizer (1992)
Cross Purposes (1994)
Forbidden (1995)
13 (2013)
Pariah
Black Sabbath Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Addicted to sobriety
A product of a virgin birth
Another god on earth
Yes that's your fantasy
You say that you can read my mind
Be careful of what you might find
And see what my eyes see
But you're no friend of mine
Do you believe every word I say?
Make your own truth, and get out of my way
I'm your pariah
For you desire
Ain't no messiah
Just your pariah
An angel or the Antichrist
A symbol of your own device
Pathetic in your own sad way
You're just one pill away
From taking my advice
Do you believe every word I say?
Make your own mind, and get out of my way
I'm your pariah
For you desire
Ain't no messiah
Just your pariah
Do you believe that I'm from Heaven?
That I descended from the sky?
The graven image of a pseudo icon
To worship me on high?
I'm not your savior
I got no wings to fly
Just your pariah
Don't look to me when your life is over
I'm your pariah
For you desire
Ain't no messiah
Just your pariah
Ain't no messiah
Just your pariah
The lyrics of Black Sabbath's Pariah speaks about being a social outcast, a pariah or an outsider, but refusing to conform to societal norms, norms that seek to tear down, reap, create divisions, and turn people into something they are not. The person described in the song is a visionary or a leader of sorts, a god-like figure that defies the established norms, but instead serves as an icon for those who believe in personal truths, freedom, and self-expression.
The song also speaks to themes of addiction and self-worship. The lines "Addicted to sobriety, A product of a virgin birth, Another god on earth, Yes, that's your fantasy" implies a desire to be pure and clean, but at the same time, the person described desires to be a mentor, an inspiration, or perhaps, even a god-like figure. This contradiction emphasizes the struggle of trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy while being an outsider in a society that doesn't value individuality and creativity.
As the song progresses, the person described warns others to not believe everything they say and encourages others to make up their minds and form their own truth. It is apparent that the person described sees themselves as a pariah, rejected by society but refusing to change to fit in. The lines, "Ain't no messiah just your Pariah" emphasize the point that the person knows they are not perfect or a hero but are willing to remain an outcast for the sake of staying true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Pariah from society
Being outcasted from the society
Addicted to sobriety
Avoiding drugs and alcohol addiction. Unwilling to escape reality through them.
A product of a virgin birth
Being born from a virgin mother, a metaphorical reference for being different or unique from the norm.
Another god on earth
Being treated like a god or divine representation on earth.
Yes that's your fantasy
Acknowledging that people idealize celebrities or idols and associate unrealistic fantasies with them.
You say that you can read my mind
Others often make assumptions or think they know everything about celebrities or idols.
Be careful of what you might find
A warning that assumptions about others might not always be correct or might reveal unwanted truths.
You think that you can be like me
People tend to idolize and try to imitate famous or successful individuals.
And see what my eyes see
People desire to have the same life experiences and luxuries as famous individuals.
But you're no friend of mine
Despite being admired, the famous individual does not consider these people as their friends.
Do you believe every word I say?
Personal beliefs and opinions are subjective and not necessarily true for each individual.
Make your own truth, and get out of my way
Encouraging individuals to create their own beliefs and path in life, and not follow the path taken by idols.
I'm your pariah
Acknowledging that one is ridiculed or rejected by society for being different, unique or exceptional.
For you desire
This exclusion from society is what others desire or envy.
Ain't no messiah
Rejecting the idea that the famous or successful individual is a savior or hero to others.
Just your pariah
Emphasizing that being different or unique does not equate to divine intervention or magic. Just a human being.
An angel or the Antichrist
People tend to have extreme views, associating individuals either with good or evil, incapable of having a balance.
A symbol of your own device
Being treated as a representation or symbol made or created by others.
Pathetic in your own sad way
Reflecting on the negative views of others, considering them as pitiful or sad.
You're just one pill away
Warning against addiction and how close it is for anyone to fall on the wrong path.
From taking my advice
The famous or successful individual is still human and prone to making mistakes, and therefore is not a reliable source of advice.
Do you believe that I'm from Heaven?
Rejecting being viewed as a divine figure, incapable of committing mistakes or having human tendencies, such as lying.
That I descended from the sky?
Rejecting the belief that the famous or successful individual is a product of divine intervention or magical occurrence.
The graven image of a pseudo icon
Being viewed as an idol or symbol, rather than as a human being with flaws and vices.
To worship me on high?
Rejecting the idea of being worshipped, idolized or placed above others.
I'm not your savior
Rejecting the idea that one is capable of saving or helping everyone else.
I got no wings to fly
Rejecting the belief that one is divine or exceptional, capable of superhuman abilities.
Just your pariah
Once again underlining that one is a human being, unique and exceptional in their own right, but not divine.
Ain't no messiah
Repeated rejection of being viewed as a divine savior or hero.
Just your pariah
Final reiteration of the idea of being unique, exceptional and different, without being divine or superhuman.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Terrence Butler, Tony Iommi, John Osbourne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ferenc Zakharides
on Sweet Leaf
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