The title of the song was conceived by Ozzy Osbourne. Geezer Butler took to writing the lyrics around the title, but was careful not to make it about the comic book character so as to avoid a copyright infringement lawsuit. Thus making the song telling the story of a vengeful villain instead of a superhero. Nonetheless, instrumental sections of the song were used in the 2008 feature film Iron Man at the beginning of the credits, and in the television commercials.
Iron Man
black sabath Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 live or dead?
We'll just pass him there
Why should we even care?
He was turned to steel
In the great magnetic field
When he travelled time
For the future of mankind
Nobody wants him
He just stares at the world
Planning his vengeance
That he will soon unfurl
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
"Iron Man" is one of the most iconic songs of Black Sabbath, released in 1970 on their self-titled album. This song is about a man who travels through time and gets turned into steel by a magnetic field which enhances his physical abilities; however, all of that comes at a great cost because he is left with nobody wanting him. The lyrics start with questioning the state of Iron Man's mind and his blindness as well as his ability to walk. It's unclear whether he's alive or dead and if he has any thoughts in his head, but we are told to pass him by and not even care about him.
The chorus of the song reveals that he was once a man, turned into steel in a great magnetic field during his time travel to save mankind's future. However, instead of being revered as a hero, nobody wants him and he's left to plan his revenge on the world that doesn't care about him. The time has come for Iron Man to spread fear and to kill the people he once saved. He's now living again and filled with heavy boots of lead, striking fear into his victims.
Line by Line Meaning
I am Iron Man
The singer is Iron Man and is introducing himself
Has he lost his mind?
Questioning the sanity of Iron Man
Can he see or is he blind?
Questioning the sight of Iron Man
Can he walk at all?
Questioning the movement of Iron Man
Or, if he moves, will he fall?
Questioning the stability of Iron Man's movement
Is he live or dead?
Questioning the status of Iron Man's life
Has he thoughts within his head?
Questioning the consciousness of Iron Man
We'll just pass him there
Ignoring Iron Man's existence
Why should we even care?
Justifying the dismissal of Iron Man
He was turned to steel
Iron Man's transformation into steel
In the great magnetic field
Explanation of the transformation process
When he travelled time
Iron Man's time travel
For the future of mankind
Purpose of Iron Man's time travel
Nobody wants him
Iron Man is unwanted by society
He just stares at the world
Iron Man is an outsider observing the world
Planning his vengeance
Iron Man is plotting revenge
That he will soon unfurl
Revenge plan will soon be executed
Now the time is here
The time for Iron Man's revenge has come
For Iron Man to spread fear
The purpose of Iron Man's revenge
Vengeance from the grave
Iron Man's revenge from beyond the grave
Kills the people he once saved
Iron Man is attacking those he once protected
They just turn their heads
Society is still ignoring Iron Man
Nobody helps him
Iron Man receives no support
Now he has his revenge
Iron Man has succeeded in his revenge
Heavy boots of lead
Iron Man's footsteps are heavy due to his steel body
Fills his victims full of dread
Iron Man instills fear in his victims
Running as fast as they can
People are fleeing from Iron Man
Iron Man lives again
Iron Man has been resurrected to seek revenge
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.