Iron Man
Black Sabbath (With Ronnie James Dio) Lyrics


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I am iron man
Has he lost his mind?
Can he see or is he blind?
Can he walk at all,
Or if he moves will he fall?
Is he alive or dead?
Has he thoughts within his head?
We'll just pass him there
Why should we even care?

He was turned to steel
In the great magnetic field
Where 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

Overall Meaning

The iconic song Iron Man by Black Sabbath [Ozzy] is a haunting exploration of the mental state of a person who has been transformed into a machine. The singer wonders if Iron Man, who has been transformed into a steel-like substance in a magnetic field, still has any sense of himself, including his mind, sight, and ability to walk. The uncertainty about his state of being - whether he is alive or dead, or if he has thoughts in his head - is a reflection of the fear that the creation of AI and robots could take over the world.


The second stanza of the song explores the societal rejection of Iron Man. He is condemned by humans who cannot understand his new identity, and his inability to become vulnerable in front of them is perceived as a threat. Iron Man spends his days plotting his revenge, ready to spread fear and destruction across the world. When the time finally comes, he unleashes his fury upon those who once dismissed him. Black Sabbath's ominous music adds to the sense of terror that accompanies Iron Man's reign of terror.


Line by Line Meaning

I am iron man
I am a powerful being, made of steel and forged in fire. I am unstoppable and unrelenting in my mission.


Has he lost his mind?
Some people may question my sanity, given the overwhelming force I bring to bear on the world around me.


Can he see or is he blind?
Some may wonder if my vision is clear, or if I have blind spots that leave me vulnerable to attack or defeat.


Can he walk at all,
Some may wonder if I can even stand upright, let alone move quickly and decisively.


Or if he moves will he fall?
Others may question my ability to maintain my balance and poise, given the tremendous power flowing through my metallic frame.


Is he alive or dead?
Many may wonder if I am truly living, or if I am simply a shell of a being, empty of the spark of life that animates most creatures.


Has he thoughts within his head?
Some may wonder if I am capable of deep thought and reflection, or if my mind is as mechanical as my body.


We'll just pass him there
Despite these questions and doubts, most people will simply ignore me as I go about my business, whether good or ill.


Why should we even care?
Ultimately, the question arises: what difference does it make whether Iron Man is real, or what his true nature may be? Is he a hero or a villain?


He was turned to steel
Iron Man was once a normal human being, but through some mysterious process was transformed into a being of living metal and machine.


In the great magnetic field
The specific nature of the transformation is unclear, but it is suggested that it occurred during some kind of scientific experiment or accident involving powerful magnetic fields.


Where he traveled time
It is suggested that Iron Man's transformation also gave him some kind of ability to move through time and space, making him a potentially far-reaching force for good or evil.


For the future of mankind
Iron Man sees himself as a champion of humanity, using his awesome power to protect and provide for the human race in ways that mere mortals could only dream of.


Nobody wants him
Despite his supposed heroic efforts, Iron Man is feared and reviled by many, seen as a threat to society and human freedom.


He just stares at the world
Iron Man is consumed by his own sense of purpose, gazing out at the world with a cold, metallic intensity that belies his claim to be a true human being.


Planning his vengeance
Despite his noble intentions, Iron Man seethes with a deep-seated anger and thirst for revenge against those who have wronged him, or who would try to stop him from achieving his goals.


That he will soon unfold
Iron Man is confident that his plans for revenge will come to fruition in the near future, and that his enemies will cower before his might.


Now the time is here
Iron Man senses that the moment of his greatest triumph, or his darkest defeat, is upon him, and that the fate of the world hangs in the balance.


For iron man to spread fear
Iron Man sees fear as a tool to help him achieve his goals, and plans to use it to cow his enemies and bend them to his will.


Vengeance from the grave
Iron Man will stop at nothing to get his revenge, even if it means pursuing it from beyond the grave.


Kills the people he once saved
Iron Man's thirst for revenge has blinded him to the consequences of his actions, and he is now willing to harm or even kill innocent people who were once his allies or followers.


They just turn their heads
Despite the harm he is causing, some people in the world are still willing to look the other way when it comes to Iron Man, whether out of fear or a simple lack of caring.


Nobody helps him
Iron Man is a solitary figure, consumed by his own desires and willing to destroy anyone who gets in his way.


Now he has his revenge
Despite the high costs, Iron Man has finally achieved his revenge, and is now free to rule the world as he sees fit.


Heavy boots of lead
Iron Man's footsteps resonate with a deep, ominous power, signaling his approach and inspiring fear and dread in all who hear them.


Fills his victims full of dread
Iron Man revels in the fear and anxiety he causes in his enemies, seeing it as a sign of his power and invincibility.


Running as fast as they can
Despite their fear and horror, some people are still willing to challenge Iron Man, running for their lives and doing all they can to resist his crushing power.


Iron man lives again
Even if his body is destroyed or his plans undone, Iron Man will always live on, a symbol of the kinds of power and ambition that can take over a person's soul.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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