Backstage (Black Sabbath – The Song That Changed An Album)

Welcome Backstage, I’m Damian DeadLove. Tonights band has a very interesting story on writing a song that far exceeded expectations of what it’s initial purpose was. I’m talking about Britain’s own, Black Sabbath. 

Often credited as one of the forefathers of Heavy Metal along with Led Zeppelin. They’ve inspired many a metal band. The group formed in 1968, once going by the name, Earth. I think they made the right choice changing the name.

The original lineup consisted of: Ozzy Osbourne – Vocals, Tony Iommi – Guitar, Geezer Butler – Bass, and Bill Ward – Drums. I also like the second incarnation with, Ronnie James Dio, but I digress. Because this story is about the original. 

They took to the idea of being darker in their themes and lyrics. The music would follow suit. The concept was quite simple actually. They looked at like this, if people pay money to watch horror films just to have it scare them, why couldn’t music be the same way. Makes sense to me, folks.

An important side note here, since this tale is about writing a song. Ozzy, has never been able to write a lyric in his life. I shit you not! Not making that up at all. He’s been fortunate that for a lot of his career he always had a bass player who could pen the words. 

Geezer, wrote the lyrics to all your favorite Sabbath songs while Osbourne was in the band. Bob Daisley, wrote lyrics for all the Randy Rhodes era of Ozzy’s solo career. He also played bass. Even Ozzy’s biggest hit ballad, “Mama, I’m Coming Home” had the words written by, you guessed it, a bass player. You probably heard of the guy. He goes by the name of Lemmy Kilmister.

Their first record was self-titled, meaning it was called “Black Sabbath”, and was released on, February 13, 1970. It yielded only one single, “Evil Woman”, which was a cover song from a band called, Crow. It didn’t set the world on fire as a single, but the album was a metal masterpiece for fans. It got the ball rolling, folks.

The next record was crucial for the bands forward momentum. And this is where our story truly begins. The second record called, “War Pigs,” had a lot riding on it. Now I know some of you are thinking, “Damian, what kinda drugs you on buddy? That’s not the name of the record.” I know it’s not named that now, but originally that was the name of the record.

See record companies are always the villain in every situation. While in the studio Sabbath had recorded seven tracks. Which was all they had written, well unbeknownst to them the record was short of the 40 minute mark from beginning to end. This seemed to give the execs a case of the red ass, and they demanded another song to get it over the time threshold.

The band was on a break, and all the guys except, Tony, had went out for a spot of tea. They’re British, and I probably butchered the expression. Because, after being made aware of the situation he had stayed behind to see if he could come up with a riff. 

The record execs wanted what was called a filler song. Which is exactly what it sounds like, people. They’re not looking for a hit, just something to fill up time. You’ve probably heard one before, it’s usually the weakest song on the album. Sometimes it has been known to be that tune that seems odd like it doesn’t quite fit with the vibe and quality of the others.

If you’re lucky and have a couple of extra songs lying around that you know are not up to snuff, this is when you pull out one of those tunes. Just to get them off your back. If this is not the case then you got to write one. 

Luckily for these lads, they have one of the best riff writers ever. So many iconic guitar riffs, have been composed by, Tony Iommi. Some of them on this album like, “Iron Man”, “Electric Funeral”, “Hand of Doom”, “Fairies Wear Boots”, “Planet Caravan”, add in the instrumental “Rat Salad” and the epic “War Pigs” this is shaping up to be a hell of an album.

It’s about to get even better, because what we get is not a filler song by any means. Tony, writes a masterpiece of a riff, so iconic that just about every guitar player I’ve ever met learned how to play it. Along with a bunch of other Sabbath songs.

Geezer, was the first one back to the studio. And was asked to pen some words to this two minute and forty-eight second piece of history. He would not disappoint anybody with what he wrote down. Once Bill and Ozzy returned it was showtime. 

With words in hand, Ozzy started coming up with a vocal melody, while the other guys started running through the song a few times and adding a change or two to the composition. 

Then they laid down the track we now know as, “Paranoid.” A song so legendary that it also became the name of the album. And a huge hit. And the rest as they say is history. 

That’s our show for tonight. I hope you enjoyed it. Remember music is the soundtrack of our lives. Peace, Love, and Lennon. I’m Damian DeadLove.