10 iconic Black Sabbath songs of all time

Beginning in 1968 in a busy Birmingham, Black Sabbath turned rock music on its head. They did not just play conventionally loud sounds. They made rock feel dark and scary. This was thanks to Tony Iommi's heavy guitars, grim yet imaginative lyricism, and a palpable haunting feel.

This dark but interesting style set the guide for what would turn into heavy metal, shaping not only bands of their time but music for all people around the world for years to come. For over forty years, the band has left an enduring mark with albums that transformed the genre, establishing themselves as myths and legends. More than just being the first, Black Sabbath set the bar for how the genre is still judged today.

By the end of the 1960s, a fresh sound took shape in the tough, working areas of Birmingham, England, a sound that changed the face of rock music. Black Sabbath, a band seen as key to the start of heavy metal, came to life when guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward teamed up. These two, who knew each other from local bands, soon joined with bass player Geezer Butler and singer Ozzy Osbourne.

At first, they played as Earth, but soon their sound was too unique for their blues base. It turned to a darker feel, and had a mood that didn't fit the happy vibe of the time. A random look at a horror movie sign, Black Sabbath, led to a new name and a new way in their music.

Aimed to reflect the tough times of life after factories, they used ideas of dark magic, war, and deep fear in their music. Their first album, 1970s Black Sabbath, made in just one day, was rough and loud. Songs like N.I.B. and The Wizard put out Iommi's heavy guitar riffs, Osbourne’s dark voice, and Butler's grim words.

They made a sound that was as bold as it was new. They did not just repeat the bright hope of the '60s. Black Sabbath brought in a deeper, more dark sound, one that would ring out through many years of metal and hard rock ahead.

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Here are the 10 iconic Black Sabbath songs of all time

In the heavy metal scene, not many bands have made a mark as big and long-lasting as Black Sabbath. With an expansive discography, their music has constantly evolved and challenged the definition of metal, again and again.

From dark themes, distorted guitar to loud, rowdy songs full of noise, Black Sabbath didn't just play metal; they made what it is. Their big hits are a depiction of their vast discography: spooky stories of war, crazy thoughts to deep dives into magic and the mind, they have it all!

These songs show off the band's key style, led by Tony Iommi's iconic guitar skills, Ozzy Osbourne's clear voice, and the strong beats from Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. They also show how Sabbath kept moving rock music's limits. Here are ten key songs that grab the core of Black Sabbath's big fame and their long-lasting mark on music history.

1) Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath put out their first debut project in 1970, with the title song, Black Sabbath. Black Sabbath not only ended up establishing them within the genre of heavy metal, but also re-invented it. The song was bold and went into the realm of the supernatural, and felt like a dark magic rite rather than a usual metal song.

From the first sounds of thunder and rain, with Tony Iommi’s heavy guitar riff, built on the harsh tritone called "the devil's interval," the track completely leans into the feeling of doom. This wasn't the fun play of late-'60s wild music; it was much more haunting and eerie. Ozzy Osbourne's rough voice expresses fear, each note reflecting the terror of a man, face to face with a dark presence.

Black Sabbath File Photos - Source: Getty

The words are known to be inspired by the bassist Geezer Butler's personal experience, in addition to exposure to supernatural and occult literature. A reflection of tangible horror and fright – Black Sabbath, the opening track of the debut album, not only sets the tone for the rest of the record but also led change within the genre of heavy rock.

Black Sabbath didn't release an album; it opened floodgates and paved the way for a heavier, darker song within heavy metal and rock. The impact of the song still echoes in the contemporary music of the heavy metal genre

2) Iron Man

Not many songs within heavy metal have left a deep mark as Black Sabbath's Iron Man. Released in 1970, part of their key album, Paranoid, the song did more than just seal the band's spot as leaders in heavy metal, it created a space where imaginative and existential lyricism could meet intense vocals. Led by Tony Iommi's powerful and dark guitar sound and Ozzy Osbourne's odd, machine-like voice, the song plays out like a grim tale from the future.

The protagonist of this tale travels through time and, after his return, transfigures into a steel hero as he is cast out by those he seeks to help. The track is a meditation on the twisted tale of how humans fall: more than just a loud rock tune, Iron Man acts as a warning tale told in combination with heavy sound and fear. Over the years, its clear guitar riff has remained iconic with people across generations reimagining it in movies, and music within and outside of heavy metal.

3) Heaven and Hell

When Black Sabbath released Heaven and Hell in 1980, it was more than a new song, it marked a fresh start. With Ronnie James Dio as the new lead singer after Ozzy Osbourne's departure, the band changed their style but kept their heavy sound. The song Heaven and Hell shines with loud guitar sounds, Dio's strong, high voice, and profound songwriting.

The song is a meditation on morality: it doesn't just categorise good and bad as black and white, it mixes the light and dark, highlighting the complexities of morality and how good and bad both reside within us. Comprised of not just a loved chorus but an ending with deep strength, the song, with near-holy power, sounds iconic live.

This tune was more than just a shift for the band; it expanded the genre of heavy metal to a wider audience.

4) N.I.B.

Coming from Black Sabbath's big hit 1970 debut album, N.I.B. has Butler's deep bass playing throughout (a rare thing in rock back then) with Iommi's loud guitar and Ozzy Osbourne's odd but strong voice. The words are about Lucifer, but there's a twist: they paint a soft portrait of Lucifer as he confesses his love for a woman and his wish to keep her safe.

This sudden turn in the story adds depth to what could have just been a dark tale about evil. The song's name is often wrong, but it started as a joke about Bill Ward's beard within the band. Many think it means Nativity in Black, a name that fits well with the band's dark style. As time went on, N.I.B. became a key part in Sabbath's live shows, showing their skill in mixing heavy, blues-like music with words that test old moral stories.

5) Paranoid

Out in 1970 as the title track on Black Sabbath's album, Paranoid, the song hit hard and fast and became a key part of the heavy metal genre. It did not bank on being long or hard to decipher. The track used high force, from Tony Iommi’s strong guitar work and Ozzy Osbourne's clear singing, to show the raw, deep struggles of the mind.

At a bit over two minutes, Paranoid gets right to the point. It pulls in feelings of fear and being cut off into a quick, loud rush. The urgency is central to the theme of the song; it sticks in your mind, and it is also easy to play or follow along. This song has grown past its time, showing up in movies, TV shows, and video games. It has also moved many artists from different musical genres to make their versions.

Paranoid depicts how Black Sabbath can make worry and unease into something strong, song-like tangible, making it a key part of both classic rock and metal.

6) Children Of The Grave

Black Sabbath's song, Children of the Grave, from their key 1971 album, Master of Reality, hits hard. It acts as a bold and aware call that digs into the dark truths of war. Driven by loud riffs and Ozzy Osbourne's deep voice, the track rings out a clear alert about the consequences of a never-ending war on the young ones.

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The name of the song is a musing on the kind of world the young children will end up living in, full of hurt, harm, and loss. It urges us to think about how we can help build a brighter future. Over the years, the song has become a loved hit among fans and a high point in the band's shows.

It is a testament to the ability of Black Sabbath to mix hard rock power with profound lyricism. Years after it first came out, Children of the Grave still hits hard as a strong call to act, pushing people to always work for peace and what is right in a wild world.

7) War Pigs

Black Sabbath's War Pigs, out in 1970 on their album Paranoid, is a key slam of war's bad ways and false acts. With its hard guitar hits, loud drum beats, and Ozzy Osbourne's strong voice, the song is a hard slam against those who start wars but don't pay the costs. First called Walpurgis, a link to an old pagan party, the song was renamed to fit with the rough times of the Vietnam War and the big political fights at the time.

Photo of Geezer BUTLER and BLACK SABBATH - Source: Getty

For years, War Pigs has transcended time in the heavy metal genre: it's known not just for its strong sound but also for its clear-cutting criticism of war as a money-making and a terrible, wrong act. The song's wild power and direct words keep pushing both musicians and fans to fight against what's not fair and think deeply about the price people pay in wars.

8) Symptom Of The Universe

Symptom of the Universe, from Black Sabbath's 1975 album Sabotage, is one of the band's most popular songs. The track jumps with a hard, fast guitar riff that drives the tune, and Ozzy Osbourne's strong voice adds a deep force not often heard in their past songs.

The words dig into the mess and mix-up of a rough world, a reflection of the band's hard times. As time has progressed, this track has become loved at shows, with its clear riff and cool chorus moving many rock and metal players.

Black Sabbath mixed heavy metal, hard rock, and wild sounds to make their music. This made them leaders in their field. Years after, Symptom of the Universe is still strong, evidence of Black Sabbath's mark on rock and metal.

9) Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Out in 1973 and at the heart of Black Sabbath's fifth album, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath was a key change for the band, it demonstrated growth in their music and themes. Moving away from the dark, heavy feel of their past music, this track mixes elements of progressive rock with their known metal style, producing a complex tune, full of feeling.

It starts with a spooky piano sound, which quickly shifts to Tony Iommi's powerful guitar riff. The song creates a mood that’s both eerie and gripping. Ozzy Osbourne's voice breaks through the mix with a need to be heard, singing words about the drain of being always on and a study on the toxicity of fame.

Loved by many and often played live, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath holds up over time not just for its deep sound, but for its bold experimentation. It is an important chapter in Black Sabbath's story, indicating how in line with the genre of heavy metal, yet they kept close to their real heartfelt feelings.

10) Sweet Leaf

Sweet Leaf, a key song from Black Sabbath's 1971 album Master of Reality, was an important step in the growth of heavy metal, in both terms of its music and themes. It's built on Tony Iommi's thick, strong guitar sound. The song has a deep groove that is both rough and joy-filled. The song openly praises marijuana, a true joy that wasn't expressed this commonly in the early '70s metal scene.

Ozzy Osbourne's voice dripping with love and joy, this track almost feels like a party, mixing up a raised voice against the system with pure happiness. Even though the topic of using marijuana was hot and full of debate, the song went much beyond being off-limits and became a huge hit. It is a key song played at Sabbath's shows.

What keeps Sweet Leaf loved is not just its relaxed songwriting, it's also a demonstration of how the band could imbibe heavy metal with humour.

Black Sabbath's discography left a mark on rock's past, setting the stage for heavy metal and shaping many artists across various fields of music. From their first big hit in 1970 to known albums like Paranoid, Master of Reality, and Vol. 4, the group's sound comprised hard hits, dark ideas, and a deep, passionate fire that no one had heard before. Even when band members changed, Black Sabbath kept evolving, trying new sounds, but their essence remained at the core.