Iron Man

Black Sabbath

About Iron Man

"Iron Man" is a song written and performed by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released on their 1970 album Paranoid. The lyrics tell the story of a man who time travels into the future and sees the apocalypse. In the process of returning to the present, he is turned into steel by a magnetic storm. He is rendered mute, unable verbally to warn people of his vision of impending destruction. His attempts to communicate are ignored and mocked. This causes Iron Man to become furious, and drives his revenge on mankind, causing the apocalypse seen in his vision. Upon hearing the main guitar riff for the first time, vocalist Ozzy Osbourne remarked that it sounded "like a big iron bloke walking about". The title became "Iron Man", with Geezer Butler writing the lyrics around the title. Osbourne sang behind a metal fan to get the sound effect in its first line, 'I am Iron Man!'. Despite the title, the song has no connection to the Marvel Comics character of the same name, although it was used in the end credits of the 2008 movie Iron Man, and the trailer for the 2010 sequel, Iron Man 2; the superhero also wears a Black Sabbath T-Shirt during the events of The Avengers. The song was also used in Monster Jam for the Iron Man truck's theme. 


Year:
1999
94 
#1

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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

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Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath are an English rock band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969, by Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass guitar), and Bill Ward (drums). The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. Originally formed in 1968 as a heavy blues rock band named Earth and renamed Black Sabbath in 1969, the band began incorporating occult and horror-inspired lyrics with tuned-down guitars and achieving multiple platinum records in the 1970s. Despite an association with occult and horror themes, Black Sabbath also composed songs dealing with social instability, political corruption, the dangers of drug abuse and apocalyptic prophesies of the horrors of w… more »

12 fans

Written by: Terence Michael Butler, Anthony Frank Iommi, John Michael Osbourne, William Ward

Lyrics © T.R.O. INC.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origin
"Iron Man" is a song by British rock band Black Sabbath from their 1970 album "Paranoid". It is arguably one of the most notable classic rock anthems of all time.
Recognition
The song won the band a Grammy Award in 2000 for Best Metal Performance, 30 years after its initial release.
Chart Success
"Iron Man" reached number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While this is not an incredibly high position, the song has achieved massive cultural impact and long-term recognition.
Usage in Popular Culture
The song has been featured in numerous popular culture media, including the 2008 Marvel film "Iron Man". However, the song is not about the comic book character.
Song Meaning
Many believe the song tells the story of a literal iron man who travels in time and sees the apocalypse. Upon his return, his attempts to warn society are ignored and lead him to bring about the end times himself out of vengeance.
Lyrics
The original lyrics were "Iron Bloke" (a British slang term for "man"), but the band later agreed that "Iron Man" sounded better and had a broader appeal to American audiences.
Music Composition
Prominent in the song is Tony Iommi's heavy guitar riff. The guitarist originally came up with the signature riff as an exercise to strengthen his two damaged fingers.
Dedication
Black Sabbath dedicated "Iron Man" to John Birch, a guitar shop owner in Birmingham who helped guitar player Tony Iommi develop a key piece of equipment that allowed him to play guitar after a crippling injury.
Adaptations
“Iron Man” has been covered by various artists in different music genres, which indicates its wide influence in the music industry.
Legacy
Despite its initial lack of commercial success, "Iron Man" has since been acknowledged as one of the greatest heavy metal songs of all time, cementing Black Sabbath’s place in music history.

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    Iron Man

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1972

    Billboard #52


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