Iron Man by Black Sabbath

Album: Paranoid (1970)

Charted: 48 52

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This song is about a man who travels through time and sees the end of the world. On his way back to Earth to warn the human race, he goes through a magnetic storm and is turned to iron. Nobody believes him about the end of the world and he gets mad, taking his rage out on the human race, thus bringing about the end of the world that he saw.

Sabbath bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler explained in NME that after Ozzy Osbourne put the idea in his head: "I was walking down the street one day and thought... 'what if there were a bloody great bloke made out of metal walking about?'" >>>
Suggestion credit:
James - Nottingham, England
Fittingly, "Iron Man" is a landmark in the heavy metal genre, with a massive guitar riff and a sci-fi, apocalyptic lyric. Black Sabbath influenced pretty much every metal band that followed, especially British acts like Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Judas Priest.
Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi came up with the guitar riff in the studio when drummer Bill Ward started playing the big, foreboding bass drum beat. Iommi created a wash of sound by bending his string, which is where Ozzy's "I am Iron Man vocal comes in." Then he blasted into the riff.

"Most of the riffs I've done I've come up with on the spot, and that was one of them," he said in a Songfacts interview. "It just came up. It went with the drum, what Bill was playing. I just saw this thing in my mind of someone creeping up on you, and it just sounded like the riff. In my head I could hear it as a monster, so I came up with that riff there and then."
The first popular Black Sabbath single was "Paranoid," which made #61 in the US in 1970 and climbed to #4 in their native UK the same year. They weren't big fans of that song, which they quickly recorded to round out the album, and they didn't like it when kids came to their shows just to hear it. The band wanted to cater to their core fans and discourage interlopers, so they became stingy with their UK single releases and withheld "Iron Man" even though it was a huge song. In America, it was issued as their second single and went to #52 in 1972 - their highest Hot 100 showing. As Sabbath gained a following in the US, the song became more and more popular.
The comic book superhero Iron Man first appeared in 1963 in Marvel Comics, but he has little in common with the character depicted in this song - the comic iron man is a regular person (Tony Stark) who gets his powers from a suit. In the 2008 movie Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr., the song plays at the end of the film when Stark tells the press, "I am Iron Man." The movie opens with "Back In Black" by AC/DC.
A new version was included on the 2000 Black Sabbath Reunion album. It won the Grammy that year for Best Metal Performance.
How the distorted vocals at the beginning that say "I am Iron Man" were created has been a topic of debate. It has been rumored that Osbourne sang through an oscillating metal fan to get the sound, but it's more likely that his voice was run through a processor called a ring modulator, which creates a wobbly electronic effect by mixing the input signal with an oscillator. This is the device used to create the voices of the Daleks on Doctor Who, and it's something Toni Iommi has used - you can hear it on his guitar solo in "Paranoid."
Ozzy recorded a new version for the 1994 Black Sabbath tribute album Nativity In Black.
Artists to cover "Iron Man" include Marilyn Manson, Alice in Chains, Butthole Surfers, Add N To (X), Busta Rhymes, Therapy, NOFX, Auburn U. Band, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Tim McCarthy, Heavy Voltage, DYS, Tanzwut, EMO, Amoco Renegades, Dead Alewives, Replacements, The Cardigans, The Mats, and Offspring. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Brett - Edmonton, Canada
Ozzy recorded a reworked version called "This Means War" with Busta Rhymes in 1998 for Busta's album Extinction Level Event. This version was included on the 2000 Black Sabbath tribute album Nativity In Black II.
On his 2001 song "Gets Me Through," Ozzy referenced this in the line, "I'm not the antichrist or the Iron Man."
Bob Rivers did a Christmas parody called "I Am Santa Claus." It was one of his first Twisted Tunes.
In the film School Of Rock, "Iron Man" is the first riff Jack Black teaches the guitarist in the band. He also teaches him "Smoke On The Water" by Deep Purple and "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Tom - Trowbridge, England
"Iron Man" plays in the 2000 Futurama episode "Anthology of Interest I," where a 500-foot tall Bender flies to Earth with the main riff audible in the background. It also appears in these shows:

The Simpsons - ("Blood Feud" - 1991, "The President Wore Pearls" - 2003)
King of the Hill ("Bills Are Made to Be Broken" - 1999)
Gilmore Girls ("The Deer Hunters" - 2000)
The original Black Sabbath lineup played this song in 1985 at Live Aid, reuniting for the first time since 1978. They also played "Children Of The Grave" and "Paranoid" in their set.
In 2007, Nissan used this in commercials for their pickup trucks. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Steve - Kitchener, Canada
The pro wrestling tag team The Road Warriors used this song as their entrance theme in the early to mid-'80s. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Gibson_X - Timmins, ON
This is a playable song in the very first Guitar Hero video game, released in 2005.

Comments: 109

Tuck Fonald from NmThe song is absolutely a brown bagged mockery about the biblical Messiah.
Inspired by the Prince of Darkness? Absolutely!
Written by the prince of darkness?. No.
100% in agreement, tuck organised religion.
And I can give a rats arss about Gandhi also.
Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganIt's "Planning his vengeance, that he will soon unFURL." (think Pinky and the Brain).

No doubt one of, if not THE best metal song ever. The riff is technically easy to play, but you have to feel it right, or it won't sound right when you play it. And those solo's are sick!
Wakingcrow from OrlandoWell I guess anyone who said something other than Jesus or Christ, is wrong. Geezer Butler, who wrote the song by the way (anyone who thinks Ozzy wrote it is off their rocker, he didn't write any lyrics) just stated unequivocally on a worldwide satellite radio show that the song was about Jesus returning. I guess this gives it away most clearly:
Vengeance from the grave
Kills the people he once saved
D from Somewhere In The BayOut back at the good ol’ UCB, the tubas in the marching band play Iron Man when the football team gets a sack.
Josh from Somewhere In VirginiaAiC didn't cover this. They only referenced it in the title of "Iron Gland"
George from Vancouver, Canada> This song is about a man who travels through time and sees the end of the world. On his way back to Earth to warn the human > race, he goes through a magnetic storm and is turned to iron. Nobody believes him about the end of the world and he gets
> mad, taking his rage out on the human race, thus bringing about the end of the world that he saw.

Is any of this in the Marvel Ironman film?
Johnnysynth from Land's End, UsaThe effect on the vocals is a ring modulator, not a talk box.
Steve6884 from DetroitThe opening riff reminds me of When I was Young by The Animals.
Jason from Tampa, FlOK, people, ENOUGH with the Christian and Vietnam interpretations. It's a Sci-Fi story.
Douglas from Nowra, Australiaozzy used to do his own ironing...hence the song title...he didnt want his long satanic robe getting burned by anything other than..hellfire..
Nick from Ft.lewis, WaFrom what I have heard, Sabbath was inspired to write this song about mulitple stories of Vietnam Vets who returned home and murdered innocent people.
Brandon from Wilmington, NeKudos to you, Shawn from Patterson, CA. You and I see the song in the exact same light.
Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiI also love the song Iron man. I want I am Santa Claus by Bob Rivers,because He also has Decorations.
Rickey from Lansing, MiThe first metal song i ever heard. It still astounds me how amazing it is
Shawn from Patterson, CaI always believe that songs mean different things to different people, that is the beauty and love of music... so I'll offer you my interpretations.

Iron Man is Jesus.
Ozzy is singing about how everyone has turned his back to Jesus and one day we will all be sorry. here it goes.

Has he lost his mind // Can he see or is he blind?

A statement of faith... someone claiming to be the messiah's sanity would be questioned... is he enlightened or blind to the problems of the world.

Can he walk at all, or if he moves will he fall?

Recall Jesus's struggle to get to the cruxification, stumbling and falling several times as he carried the burdeon's of man's sin (the cross)

Is he alive or dead // has he thoughts within his head?

Will he survive his own mortality?

Well just pass him there // Why should we even care?

Man turns his back and chooses not to listen to the teachings.

He was turned to steel // In the great magnetic field

Key word "the" not a great magnetic field... the great magnetic field... heaven. Turned to steel, could be the symbolic icon the crucifix worn by many practiced by few.

Where he traveled time // for the future of mankind

He died to save mankind, but lives forever (travels time) because of his faith

Nobody wants him // He just stares at the world
Statement on the loss of faith

Planning his vengeance // That he will soon unfold
Day of reckoning, how many of us will stand the test?

Now the time is here // for iron man to spread fear
Armeggedon... fear of god.

Vengence from the grave // kills the people he once saved
Since nobody followed his teachings... he failed in his quest.

Nobody wants him // they just turn their heads
People turned there back to Jesus

Nobody helps him // Now he has his revenge
Day of Reckoning

Heavy boots of lead // fills his victims full of dread
They will walk the heavier path in the afterlife

Running as fast as they can // Iron man lives again
When Jesus comes back, we will fear him, not welcome him, because of what we made of this world.

I am NOT a religious person, exactly the opposite... which is why I love this song... a big "eff-you" to established religion. I'm reminded of a Gandhi quote, "I know your Christ, I like his teachings, I just wish more Christians were like him."
James from Indianapolis, InIf you look at the lyrics it sounds to me like this about something that was made by the Military to protect us, and it did, but it was a robot so it was real, but then they just said whatever and didnt thank it or anything so now hes not getting thanked for his hard work so he goes out and takes vengence on everyone else. idk it makes sense to me.
Daniel from Winchester, OhLake Erie UFO Antigrav Evidence: Last night I had this strange revelation as I was falling asleep after a negative attack. During the attack even my dogs got involved. My dogs are outside and the dark heavy force cam down then dissipated and I even saw what appeared to be small black and bluish triangular shapes dissipating around my floor then disappearing. Anyways I am about to fall asleep and then all these thoughts come into my head at once. Pennsylvania is known for its Iron mines as well as coal mines. Pennsylvania and Ohio along Lake Erie have huge steel mill factories. They rip core elements out of the earth, open gaping holes, and transport the elements to the shored of lake Erie where they melt it down in hellish conditions. I know, I almost worked in one until they told me about the heat and the fires and the molten steel.. at $6.50 an hour to work in hell? Sorry, I walked out. Anyways, iron/steel has magnetic properties and magnetic properties have antigravity manifestations ... obviously you have seen a magnet can repel another magnet if turned a certain way, and lift it with unseen forces. UFOs are understood to have magnetic and antigravity properties, and they appear always over Lake Erie area right over the steel mills and surrounding areas. Why so concentrated there? From what I have been reading it seems there are more UFO sightings, abductions and all kinds of weird stuff going on in the Erie area, even more than A51! And I know fine powder airborne steel/iron products from factory grindings that make high tech stuff can have an effect on people. I just KNOW that there is some symbiotic relationship between the Iron ore, the steel mills, and the UFOs and aliens. I even think that some of the so called 'aliens" are not from space, but from Inner earth, and are here because they were dug up, portals opened, and their core elements used in antigrav propulsion are used in huge factories around Erie lake in concentrated amounts enough that they can manifest their craft and themselves. The scientific evidence of how magnetism works easily proves this. A small magnet may lift another piece of magnetized steel only an inch or so by antigrav... but what about TONS of steel, thousands of tons of steel.???? All concentrated into one area...??? I also know when I was contacted by Orion aliens (from space) they showed me their energy source which was a combination of crystals, a jell like living substance, and PURE IRON. The pure iron rods spread from the central "brain" of the craft out to the outer hull. I even knew the chemical designation for it at one time... but lost it. (That was 10 years ago.... OMG, today & this whole week !!! Feb 1999.) Their iron has antigrav properties, but it is not like earth iron which is considered a more corrupt form of iron. Enough of this....!!!! Anyone want the real interpretation to Black Sabbaths Iron Man??? This JUST came to me and fits EXACTLY this scenario!!!! "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? Well 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!" The feeling you get from the oppression in the area is like boots of Lead... it is heavy and dark, and GRAY! he was turned to steel in the great magnetic field???? Oh you are so busted now sucker! No one has ever been able to interpret that song correctly. And their daughter is my friend... and no she didn't tell me. he traveled time for the future of mankind? Why does he kill the people he once saved... He used to be left alone in earth. He is an elemental and no one cared to know... they tore him apart and melted him down. Oh this is so frikken clear. this is easy now. He stares at the world through all the iron based stuff manufactured. Torn apart, ripped up and melted down. Turned to steel in magnetic field around lake Erie, the steel capital of the world!!! But now I have a problem.... it says no one helps him and I feel sad even though he kills and destroys constantly.... I am crying my eyes out right now and can hardly see. I can write no more.... I will write later.... ***Iron Man*** (Private message to friends) XXXX, that message about Iron Man is NO joke.....It makes all the sense in the world!So then I start wondering how we could come to a truce and a cease fire., how would we even communicate?? I began to pray and meditate and suddenly got in my mind "lisas high powered magnets"Lisa had bought 5 super high powered magnets a couple years ago. They have very high antigrav powers and you almost cannot even pull a nail off them if they are all together. She used them to try and shut of her implant by holding them to her head!!!They are small, about a half inch or less round. and they are super strong little suckers...I began to search frantically, knowing they were in a sewing box somewhere and hoping Lisa didnt take them. Last I knew they had been in the bathroom... Guess what... right on the table next to the computer is where I JUST located them!!! I have them here right now....damn XXXX, these little suckers are strong. They stick together and I can hardly pull them apart. their antigrave properties elevate them over 1" from each other if I flip them around, but they are just tiny disks. they are held together between 2 pieces of round flat steel that Lisa said was her magnets in a little craft! And she left them here for me!!!! Moved them right next to where I work!!!And they are so strong I actually felt my fingers tingle when I reveresed them to antigrav mode, and I even feel tingling in my head now... wow. this is no kidding XXXX....Something heavy is going on......Ok, I am holding them in my hand now and held them just near my head and felt their energy... Its like a drug almost..."Iron Man" is busted, Lisa left her magnets here... she has told me her implant is magnetic and optical.....Now what do I do? Communicate with it???? I think it might even be elements of the earth left here long ago by aliens and ripped apart by man....good God what have I stumbled upon????Phil, those magnets erase memories. I just caught em!!!! iw as going to search 2 things just now and I totally forgot!Plus I cannot arange the magnets in the circular patter of 5 on the disks. they jump and connect to each other so I just left them as 3 and 2 stacked and threw them back in the sewing box. Lisa had them arranged flat on the disks, the 5, just like the Taken craft!!!!Oh now this is becoming heavy stuff. Phil something is happening in my brain. That power is awesome but it is also scary because it is doing something to me as we speak......Lisa!!!!!!!!No nothing bad about Lisa... she is POWERFUL!!!!!!You could even ask her if she owns those magnets... it's true....XXXX, all the steel things that were attached to the disk in the sewing kit are highy magnetized. a little box of pins picks up her black (anthracite or malachite???) necklace, her hair clips. Even that stuff is tingling. I need to put it all back in the box. It's like a magic box with great power....I'm sealing it for now....
Justin from Covina, Cathis has some of the best instumentals in history...
Lester from New York City, NyOther than the ending guitar break, this is one of my least favorite Sabbath songs.
Thomas from Somerville, AlOne Hundred Percent Classic Sabbath.
Bluestar from Erie, PaLake Erie UFO Antigrav Evidence:

Last night I had this strange revelation as I was falling asleep after a negative attack. During the attack even my dogs got involved. My dogs are outside and the dark heavy force cam down then dissipated and I even saw what appeared to be small black and bluish triangular shapes dissipating around my floor then disappearing.
Anyways I am about to fall asleep and then all these thoughts come into my head at once.
Pennsylvania is known for its Iron mines as well as coal mines. Pennsylvania and Ohio along Lake Erie have huge steel mill factories.
They rip core elements out of the earth, open gaping holes, and transport the elements to the shored of lake Erie where they melt it down in hellish conditions. I know, I almost worked in one until they told me about the heat and the fires and the molten steel.. at $6.50 an hour to work in hell? Sorry, I walked out.
Anyways, iron/steel has magnetic properties and magnetic properties have antigravity manifestations … obviously you have seen a magnet can repel another magnet if turned a certain way, and lift it with unseen forces.
UFOs are understood to have magnetic and antigravity properties, and they appear always over Lake Erie area right over the steel mills and surrounding areas. Why so concentrated there? From what I have been reading it seems there are more UFO sightings, abductions and all kinds of weird stuff going on in the Erie area, even more than A51!
And I know fine powder airborne steel/iron products from factory grindings that make high tech stuff can have an effect on people.
I just KNOW that there is some symbiotic relationship between the Iron ore, the steel mills, and the UFOs and aliens. I even think that some of the so called ‘aliens” are not from space, but from Inner earth, and are here because they were dug up, portals opened, and their core elements used in antigrav propulsion are used in huge factories around Erie lake in concentrated amounts enough that they can manifest their craft and themselves.
The scientific evidence of how magnetism works easily proves this. A small magnet may lift another piece of magnetized steel only an inch or so by antigrav… but what about TONS of steel, thousands of tons of steel.???? All concentrated into one area…???
I also know when I was contacted by Orion aliens (from space) they showed me their energy source which was a combination of crystals, a jell like living substance, and PURE IRON. The pure iron rods spread from the central "brain" of the craft out to the outer hull. I even knew the chemical designation for it at one time... but lost it. (That was 10 years ago.... OMG, today & this whole week !!! Feb 1999.) Their iron has antigrav properties, but it is not like earth iron which is considered a more corrupt form of iron.

Enough of this....!!!! Anyone want the real interpretation to Black Sabbaths Iron Man??? This JUST came to me and fits EXACTLY this scenario!!!!
"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?
Well 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!"

The feeling you get from the oppression in the area is like boots of Lead... it is heavy and dark, and GRAY!

he was turned to steel in the great magnetic field???? Oh you are so busted now sucker! No one has ever been able to interpret that song correctly. And their daughter is my friend... and no she didn't tell me. he traveled time for the future of mankind? Why does he kill the people he once saved... He used to be left alone in earth. He is an elemental and no one cared to know... they tore him apart and melted him down. Oh this is so frikken clear. this is easy now. He stares at the world through all the iron based stuff manufactured. Torn apart, ripped up and melted down. Turned to steel in magnetic field around lake Erie, the steel capital of the world!!!

But now I have a problem.... it says no one helps him and I feel sad even though he kills and destroys constantly....
I am crying my eyes out right now and can hardly see. I can write no more.... I will write later....

***Iron Man*** (Private message to friends)
XXXX, that message about Iron Man is NO joke.....It makes all the sense in the world!So then I start wondering how we could come to a truce and a cease fire., how would we even communicate?? I began to pray and meditate and suddenly got in my mind "lisas high powered magnets"Lisa had bought 5 super high powered magnets a couple years ago. They have very high antigrav powers and you almost cannot even pull a nail off them if they are all together. She used them to try and shut of her implant by holding them to her head!!!They are small, about a half inch or less round. and they are super strong little suckers...I began to search frantically, knowing they were in a sewing box somewhere and hoping Lisa didnt take them. Last I knew they had been in the bathroom... Guess what... right on the table next to the computer is where I JUST located them!!! I have them here right now....damn XXXX, these little suckers are strong. They stick together and I can hardly pull them apart. their antigrave properties elevate them over 1" from each other if I flip them around, but they are just tiny disks. they are held together between 2 pieces of round flat steel that Lisa said was her magnets in a little craft! And she left them here for me!!!! Moved them right next to where I work!!!And they are so strong I actually felt my fingers tingle when I reveresed them to antigrav mode, and I even feel tingling in my head now... wow. this is no kidding XXXX....Something heavy is going on......Ok, I am holding them in my hand now and held them just near my head and felt their energy... Its like a drug almost..."Iron Man" is busted, Lisa left her magnets here... she has told me her implant is magnetic and optical.....Now what do I do? Communicate with it???? I think it might even be elements of the earth left here long ago by aliens and ripped apart by man....good God what have I stumbled upon????Phil, those magnets erase memories. I just caught em!!!! iw as going to search 2 things just now and I totally forgot!Plus I cannot arange the magnets in the circular patter of 5 on the disks. they jump and connect to each other so I just left them as 3 and 2 stacked and threw them back in the sewing box. Lisa had them arranged flat on the disks, the 5, just like the Taken craft!!!!Oh now this is becoming heavy stuff. Phil something is happening in my brain. That power is awesome but it is also scary because it is doing something to me as we speak......Lisa!!!!!!!!No nothing bad about Lisa... she is POWERFUL!!!!!!You could even ask her if she owns those magnets... it's true....XXXX, all the steel things that were attached to the disk in the sewing kit are highy magnetized. a little box of pins picks up her black (anthracite or malachite???) necklace, her hair clips. Even that stuff is tingling. I need to put it all back in the box. It's like a magic box with great power....I'm sealing it for now....
Oldpink from New Castle, InWhat aspiring young guitarist has not played the opening riff for this classic?
I put it to you, Greg!
Also, the massive bass drums at the beginning perfectly enhance the menace of the song.
Great band, from Ozzy's demonic vocals, to Tony's ponderous lead, to Geezer's downright scary bass, and don't forget Bill Ward's thunderous drums on this piece.
They don't make bands like this anymore.
Sami from Shippensburg, Pai think that the song is just about everyday struggles a poor kid goes through its sorta like mettalica's "the unforgiven" but it came before that song so i guess "the unforgiven" was based on "iron man"
Jill from Nederland, Txin Detroit Rock City the movie the kiss fans beat up the disco boys to this song
Mez from Northampton, United Kingdomgood song though. I think it just means what it says. Telling a story through song.
Mez from Northampton, United Kingdomwhy do people think soooooooooo many songs are about drug abuse?
Michael from Healesville, Australiato me this song seems like iron man travels in time to save the world from himself. because he travels time to save the future of man kind and then he comes back and no one notices and he takes revenge on man kind later on. so maybe when he travels time its to stop himself from destroying mankind itself
Cj from Hamden, CtIron Man Was named The number one heavy metal song in VH1's Top 40 Heavy metal songs
Andy from Roanoke, Vai think if you listen to the lyrics and try to interperate them you would see that this song is about jesus. the wizard is also about jesus. i also believe that black sabbath is a christian end times band. black "the darkest" sabbath "holy day". you have to listen to the lyrics in all of their songs, but one example is the last verse of sabbath bloody sabbath (holy day bloody holy day).EVERY THING AROUND YOU WHAT'S IT COMING TO (refering to the decline of our morals as a society)GOD KNOWS I ASSURE GOD KNOWS GOD BLESSED ALL OF YOU (god sees the decline, god blessed us by sending us a savior) SABBATH BLODDY SABBATH NOTHING MORE TO DO (the day jesus died we were saved from our sin we don't have to do anything but ask jesus to forgive us)LIVING JUST FOR DYING DYING JUST FOR YOU (jesus was born to die on the cross, he died on the cross to pay for your sin). also,childeren of the grave talks about how we are the generation who will see the end. i've only talked about 4 songs. listen to the rest and maybe you will see the truth. i would just like to know what lies ozzy refers to in many of his songs examp."they tell you that your on your own...fill your head all full of lies"
Jason from Tampa, FlI love this song. Great, classic, timeless, immortal riff that everybody knows and loves. Lyrically, it's like a mini Twilight Zone episode (the real version made by Rod Serling back in the late 1950s-early 1960s.)
Rod from Logan, Njthis song is fairly easy on giutar
Rod from Logan, Njme and my freinds made parody...i am icecream man runnin over fat kids with my van
Airk from Skagway, AkWTF is head jammin? It's called head banging!
Joshua from La Crosse, WiNot only was this song in the Iron Man movie trailer, it appeared in the film itself, during the first part of the end credits.
Cooper from North Salt Lake, Utok for every one who has ever thought that black sabbath based this on the comic/ tv series ITS A BUNCHA BULL this song has absolutly nothing to do with the comic okey it may be named iron man but its not the same....
Jackie from Wautoma, WiI doubt anybody listens to this song for its meaning. I don't care who you are, you cannot listen to this song without finding yourself head jammin to the end of it...especially with a guitar jam like that at the end.
Pippin from Rhye, CaI learned how to play this song on ukulele. I like to be annoying with it.
George from Waynesburg, Kydo I need to say it but the song and comic book were just made into a movie and as of today 5-6-08 the movies is top in the box office in the U.S.
Ryan from Farmer City, IlBeginning riff goes like this for all you guitar fans out there (use heavy amounts of distortion with lots of bass for good matching tone):

E G GAA BABABAG G A A
Jonathan from Miami, FlI think the song talks about Adolph Hitler. He had some jewish relatives( he once saved), his dad was mean with him( turned to steel), he wrote a book telling all his plans, but nobody believed him ( planning his vengeance)
Wilson from Piedmont, OkI ment, could you tell me who the author was?
Wilson from Piedmont, OkDoes anyone now which book it is based off of. Can you tell the auther to?
Taco from Salem, NhThis is the freakin' best song of all time. And yet no one execpt for a couple of my friends know about the song or Black Sabbath in my school. Oh yeah, who do you think is better: Ozzy or Dio?
Alan from Singapore, SingaporeThis song is featured in the trailer of the upcoming movie Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark / Iron Man
Jim from Dallas, TxIron Man was definitely used in a Nissan truck commercial. I do not recall one with Crazy Train, although it's entirely possible that song was also used in a spot.
David from Stockton, CaI beg to differ, but Nissan did NOT use "Iron Man, they used "Crazy Train" from Ozzy's solo career.
Mark from Byrdstown, TnBeavis and Butthead's favorite song!
Dillon from Franklin, KyThis is an amazing song, but not Black Sabbath's greatest. I love Children of the Grave.

I can see how this song could be read deeper, such as being about Jesus, but I believe this is simply a story being told through song.
Your Mum from London, Englandit is hummed by Otto in a simpsons episode
Chapel from Columbus, GaI think we all get what the song is about know. Dang, I don't think I've ever seen so many people say the same thing! :P
Angelo from New York, NyThe Opening Rif kicks major A**
Steve from -----, PaI'm pretty sure this song is about Jesus when ozzy says"He was turned to steel
In the great magnetic field
Where he traveled time
For the future of mankind" I think he is talking about how the son of god was turned to flesh to save mankind and then the people kill him and how all that crazy stuff will down like in revalations when he comes back. But this is just my take on it
Billy from A Place, Alin response to your response peter, it was smoke on the water. you are thinking of the song when he was putting all of the instruments in the classroom. the part where he goes out to his truck to get the instruments is when they play sunshine of your love. then he plays iron man, smoke on the water, then highway to hell.
Peter from Roswell, Nmsorry, it actually was smoke on the water, they play sunshine of your love shortly afterward though, wow, that's 3 in a row.......
Peter from Roswell, Nmactually Chris, from sacramento, he's turned to steel :P
Peter from Roswell, Nmthat actually wasn't somke on the water, if I remember correctly, it was actually sunshine of your love, this song was also used in the 1999 movie detroit rock city, after Hawke knee's a "Guido" in the groin, trip, jam, and Lex proceed to beat up his friend
Zac from Sydney, Australiagroooovy song. interesting story. fantastic riff (easy to play :D heh) black sabbath were certainly the absolute greatest of their time
Jake from Naperville, IlIt is one of the best old metal songs. In my opinion laid down the blueprints for future metal songs
Mickey from Minneapolis, Nvi think this song awsome i practice this song for hours with my freinds to learn it de da de dede
John from Hendersonville, NcQuite possably the greatest metal song ever.
Joaquin from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico the riff is totally ripping and the lyrics great, and i think it's about a man who died and now his 'soul' is emerging from the grave to seek revenge from the people who did harm to him.
Mickey Barnes from Minneapolis, Mndont piss people off actuaally listen to them i go through the same thing at shool every day
Mickey Barnes from Minneapolis, Mnhi
Mike from Petersham, MaThis song was voted the number 1 metal song in history by some vh1 show.
Teresa from Kokomo, InThere was probably an iron statue in a town and some kids with active imaginations thought up the song. You know, like looking at the clouds and telling eachother what they look like.
That's what I have heard.
Seamus from Scranton, PaOK - I'm way too old to be doing this, but I just learned to play this on guitar and must agree with all the comments about the song being highly addictive - and generally quite fun. However, IMHO this song is not about god or drugs or Vietnam vets or even the Marvel Comic hero. I saw an interview with Ozzy somewhere where he talked about growing up in an industrial town whose time had passed, and that that was the inspiration for the song. The Iron Man is the industrial worker in the region where there is no more industry. You can read into this all you want re: the end of the world aspect, but I'm sure to a coal miner/steel worker/iron man the metaphor is quite clear - as is the desire for revenge.
Niluk from Philadelphia, PaA band called "The Unpronounceable" from Pennsylvania did a cover of "Iron Man" that was really incredible. Check it out if you dare
http://www.mogensmusic.com/pages/music/freemusic/liveatbinghamton.html
Chris from Sacramento, CaThe only parallel to the Marvel comic is the fact that he gets turned to iron. Other than that it is completely different. The comic Iron Man is a super hero. The song is about a guy that ends up killing the human race because they don't listen to him or help him after he sees the end of the world and is turned to iron. Listen to the damn song!!!
Devon from Westerville, OhBlack Sabbath invented heavy metal. Tony Iommi rocks on this song.
Mark from Ann Arbor, Moi love the live version of this where ozzy just yells at everybody for like 2 or 3 minuits.
Windy from Otway, OhHas anyone watched Detroit Rock City? Does the name Edward Furlong ring any bells? This song is on it.
Robert from Powder Springs, GaIt's a song with lots of metaphoric sybolism and such.

It's about someone who is extremely different, possibly a bit crazy, but good, and sacrifices himself, literally or not literally, for humakind. But, they don't help him or acknowledge his goodness. After sacrficing himself, he sees how everyone treats him, the same as before, nobody cares. He's always held a grudge against humanity, despite his best wishes to help, so he comes back with newfound rage and goes berserk on everyone, and....yeah.
Katie from Somewhere, NjThis song has always seemed sort of like "I Don't Like Mondays" to me- the main character seems like a kid who's ignored and bullied and treated like a freak in school, and then he finally snaps and kills his classmates. I'm surprised no one tried to get this banned from the radio after Columbine...
Robbie from Colorado Springs, CoI always thought that this song was about god, (Well the Old Testament God anyways). I do have to agree about this song being played way too much. Really bad sign when you hear it played by the marching band at a College Football match. Best song on this album has to be Hand Of Doom.
JoaquÃ?n from Chaguito City, Chileso it is a good song, and a damn good riff, but, best Sabbath song? come on, it's the most popular all right, but it's definitely NOT their best song. you guys should listen to a full album, not just the singles, and then talk about Black Sabbath, becouse they're a freaking great band
Billy from Otway, OhBEST....SONG.....EVER!
Billy from Otway, Ohthis was sung by nelson to try to get people to vote for him. He sings "I Am Iron Man. Na Na Na Na Na Na Vote For Me."
George from Orleans, MaI could never get sick of this song, it's the best song in history and all of you who got sick of it? Shame on you. Ozzy rocked it in the 70's, and he rocked it at the 2005 Ozzfest even harder. Seeing him sing Iron Man was the crowning achievement of my life thus far. Ozzy has my devotion and loyalty forever. My friends even call me The Iron Man cause I play this so much.
Robert from Chicago, IlThis is a great song but over time Ive gotten sick of it (same with paranoid) because it is over played, if you want an awsome song from the Paranoid album check out Electric Funeral.
Kris from Austin, TxThis song has NOTHING to do with the IronMan comic series. Furthermore, the song storyline does not even closely resemble the storyline of the comic, especially the first issue. James from Nottingham has got it right.
Ed from London, CanadaThis was referenced on Ozzy's cover of "Stayin' Alive".
Ravyn from Hell, NyYou know this song is coming up when you hear Ozzy in concert start screaming

"I! I! I! I!" and everyone joins in. I love it.
Dustin from My Home, Inthis song is amazing but a little over played if you want a good sabbath song off the paranoid album go for electric funeral it remids me of this song
Brandon from Morristown, TnReally this is about a man that travels in time-or goes into spaces and see the future,gets turned to iron on the wat back but his brain still works.He tries to warn humans but they dont listen,he gets angry and destorys humanity.-Dont belive me I can quote Geezer Bulter who wrote it-Quote''Geezer: There was a lot of space exploration being done by NASA at the time. There were a lot of things in the news about pollution and nuclear war at the time as well. It was about a guy who had gone into space exploration and had seen the future of the world. He came back to warn everyone about what was going to happen to the world and he got caught up in an electronic type thing when he was entering the earth's atmosphere and he got turned into iron but his brain was still working. It was really just a science fiction story.''Unquote.-http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/Interviews05/geezerbutler.htm-Thata where it came from.Maybe that settles it?
Steph from Cary, NcThis song is actually based off the Marvel comics character, Ironman. Don't any of you read comics?
Jack from St. Paul, Mnthis is a depressing and creepy song written by depressing and creepy people
Nathan from Ohsweken, Canadathis song can whale, its a sweet riff and nice vocals
Josh from Las Vegas, NvNo one ever mentioned Bill Ward. I'd name him one of the top three drummers of all time, and this is one of his best songs
Neil from London, EnglandFor me the obvious meaning of this song is about drug use, and about it results in people becoming comoltose, staring into space unable to move. It also talks about how people just ignore people like that rather then help them, and how it makes them bitter and angry with the world, making their problems worse.

It uses the metaphor of the iron man in the story to describe the effects of drungs. I am surprised that nobody has posted a comment like this before
Michael Picard from Lapwai, IdI love this song. I would listen to this on the radio.The repeated riff is so massive and the beginning bass drum as if Iron Man was walking. It's such a classic song. About the ending of the world and he tries to save them but they don't listen so he kills Em' All
Jack from Wood Dale, Ilwell i have 2 do a music report on a song of my choice and i choose this song......how over i can not analyze this song for my life u know like verse1 then verse 2 so on and so fourth....well if any one out there wud b kind enough 2 help me out send the analsis 2 my email( lilnoyz16@hotmail.com)
Matt from Millbrae, CaClassic riff, but the lyrics are a little emotionless. Remember, another song about the future was the horrible excuse for a rock song, The Final Countdown.
Jessie from Middle Of Nowhere, WaI think it means...this might not be right but hey i'm tryin, but i think it means like when someone does things for you and then they get nothing in return or when someone trys to help the other person doesn't listen...thats what i see out of the song but i could be wrong oh well..
-Barbie,Randle,WA
John from Oslo, NorwayJames from Nottingham has got it just right. Thanks James
Alex from Chicago, IlDude, this song is refering toward THE Iron Man from the Marvel comics wich explain the first issue.
Diego from Panama, Otherok, i understand the song, but at the ending theres this weird voice, but the guitar wont let me hear it. what does it say???
Eric from Rockford, IlDo you want to know what this song is really about? It's about Iron Man...as in the comic book character...get the very first issue...the parallels are obvious.
Tom from Trowbridge, EnglandParanoid was released September 1970 in the UK and early 1971 in the US.
Drew from Hanoi, SdI love the repeated guitar chords. It can get stuck in your head for hours, and it will still burn on and on and on...
Paulo from New York, NyThe topic of the song reminds me of H.G. Wells. Pretty ironic story.
David from Orangeburg, Sc"Iron Man" is the best Black Sabbath song ever. It is a great heavy metal song, maybe the best ever. The guitar riffs are great, and the lyrics sung by Ozzy really flow well with the song. It is one of my favorites.
Cody from Hamilton, Ohdoes not matter how u interpret the lyrics, it will always be black sabbaths best song.ever.period.
James from Ragin' Rochester, Nyto Josh, Sunbury,PA;
Lighten up. The meaning of the song is enjoy the artistry. To protest injustice through songwriting is a gift for the masses.
It's only rock and roll, but I like it.
Andrew from Bowmanville, CanadaAn amazing song no matter what the lyrics mean!
Best song on the Paranoid album! Whole albums
amazing,especially the first side and Fairies
Wear Boots.
Steve from Bakersfield, CaA man travels thru time into the future of the world. He sees the apocalypse. When he comes back he tries to warn the world but nobody takes care of him. So he gets mad and has revenge on mankind. In the end it becomes clear that he is the reason for the apocalypse.
Taylor from Jackson, MiParanoid was released in 1971
Seth from Buffalo, NyI heard, and now believe, that it's about a (or possibly many) veteran coming home from the Vietnam war. They went there to fight in what was really an unjust war, but believed that it was for the best for American and democracy. When they/he came home, they receieved a lot of animosity from citizens who spat on them, and called them "baby killers" because of stories of some really horrible stuff that happened during the war. It's about an ex-soldier who comes home and isn't appreciated, basically.
Brian from Paoli, InA rock anthem, nobody can pick up a guitar without playing this tune on it.
Josh from Sunbury, PaYeah...but what is the meaning of the song?

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Space OddityDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Space Oddity" tells the story of an astronaut who cuts off communication and floats into space. The BBC used it extensively in their coverage of the 1969 moon landing - an odd choice considering the lyrics.

Crazy In LoveBeyoncé

Jay-Z did the rap on Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love" at the last minute. They had just started dating; she asked him to feature on the track the night before she had to turn in her album.

Mr. BojanglesThe Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

The Texas songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker wrote "Mr. Bojangles" after a weekend in jail where a fellow inmate told him his life story.

BrickBen Folds Five

The Ben Folds Five song "Brick" is about a difficult time when Folds' girlfriend got an abortion.

Master Blaster (Jammin')Stevie Wonder

"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is Stevie Wonder's tribute to Bob Marley, released less than a year before Marley died.

Stuck In The Middle With YouStealers Wheel

"Stuck In The Middle With You" by Stealers Wheel was the unlikely choice for a scene in Quentin Tarantino's 1992 movie Reservoir Dogs where somebody loses an ear.