Black Sabbath

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
You've seen right through distorted eyes, you know you had to learn
The execution of your mind, you really had to turn
The race is run, the book is read, the end begins to show
The truth is out, the lies are old, but you don't want to know

[Chorus]
Nobody will ever let you know
When you ask the reasons why
They just tell you that you're on your own
Fill your head all full of lies

[Verse 2]
The people who have crippled you, you wanna see them burn
The gates of life have closed on you, and there's just no return
You're wishing that the hands of doom could take your mind away
And you don't care if you don't see again the light of day

[Chorus]
Nobody will ever let you know
When you ask the reasons why
They just tell you that you're on your own
Fill your head all full of lies, you bastards!

[Instrumental Break]
[Outro]
Where can you run to? What more can you do?
No more tomorrow, life is killing you
Dreams turn to nightmares, heaven turns to Hell
Burnt out confusion, nothing more to tell, yeah
Everything around you, what's it coming to?
God knows as your dog nose, bog, blast all of you
Sabbath bloody sabbath, nothing more to do
Living just for dying, dying just for you, yeah

If there is one song that properly describes the 'Sabbath experience,’ then it’s the Black Sabbath classic “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” from their album of the same name. The lyrics tell a story of the ups and downs of being in the music industry, from the rip-offs to the good times and bad times, with the band taking aim at everyone who tried to cash in on their success, including lawyers.

What makes this song so special is that it has one of the most iconic riffs in Sabbath's history, which was composed by the guitarist Tony Iommi. The song represents the end of the band's creative drought, and it gave them hope for the future. In this article, we will explore the history of “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” taking a close look at the origins of its lyrics and one of the greatest riffs in rock music history.

About Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

The first thing to notice about “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” is its unforgettable opening riff. The crunchy guitar riff is one of the most recognizable in the history of rock and is a perfect example of Tony Iommi’s expertise on the guitar. What is interesting about the creation of the riff is that the band was going through a tough period of writer’s block and couldn't seem to come up with any new material. According to interviews with the band members, Tony Iommi had written down the riff for “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” on a piece of paper and showed it to the rest of the band. The result was electric, and the moment the riff was played, the band knew they had something great.

The lyrics to the song were written by Geezer Butler, who was inspired by the band's struggles in the music industry. The song is about the challenges that come with being a rock band, from the legal battles to the endless touring, and the lack of privacy. In an interview with Radio.com, Geezer Butler described the song as a “backs-to-the-wall rant” at everyone who tried to exploit the band, including lawyers, managers, and record labels.

The song is notable for its use of unusual time signatures, particularly in the song's middle section, which contains an instrumental passage that features a descending guitar riff and a haunting vocal melody. This section perfectly captures the dark, moody atmosphere that is typical of Black Sabbath's music.

Despite the challenges the band faced in writing and recording the song, “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” proved to be a significant turning point for Black Sabbath. It showed that the band still had what it took to create compelling and innovative music, and it helped to revitalize their career in the process.

In Conclusion

“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” is one of Black Sabbath's most famous songs, and it's not hard to see why. From the unforgettable opening guitar riff to the dark and moody atmosphere of the song's middle section, this song perfectly captures the band's unique sound and style. Its lyrics are a powerful reminder of the challenges that come with being a rock band, and how difficult it can be to stay true to your artistic vision in the face of corporate pressure and commercial interests.

Ultimately, though, “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” is an optimistic song, a testament to the band's resilience and ability to rise above adversity. It's a song about the power of music to connect people and bring them together, and it's a song that has stood the test of time, remaining just as powerful and relevant today as it was when it was first released.

• Release Date: December 1, 1973
• Artist: Black Sabbath