January 23, 2023

1970 - September: Black Sabbath “Paranoid”

36 minutes

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Paranoid, the second studio album by Black Sabbath, to be the number one of its "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time." Originally known by the name Earth, the band took the name Black Sabbath from a 1963 horror film starring Boris Karloff. The band members were Bill Ward on percussion, Geezer Butler on bass, Tony Iommi on guitar, and Ozzy Osbourne on vocals. It was originally a heavy blues band from Birmingham, England, but took on a darker complexion with lyrics of doom.

Much of the music on Paranoid was developed during jams while the band was on the road.

This album was panned by critics at the time, but it reached number 12 on the US charts. This is quite a feat, considering that the band received virtually no airplay on rock radio when the album came out. It would come to be considered a great heavy metal album, and Black Sabbath would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Wayne brings us this forerunner of prog rock and heavy metal.

War Pigs

The lead track for the album was originally going to be called "Walpurgis," a term for a black magic wedding or a Satanic version of Christmas. The label had concerns about this and had them change the title to War Pigs. The lyrics are about warmongers trying to get the working class to fight the wars for them.

Paranoid

This was the band's only top 10 hit in the UK, and it went to number 61 in the US. Though named "paranoid," the song is really about depression. The riffs bear a striking resemblance to Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown." Led Zeppelin was one of the band's favorite groups at the time.

Rat Salad

This track is largely a guitar and drum solo. The name comes from a joke about Ward's hair not being combed. This would be used in concerts as "filler" to give the vocalists a break.

Iron Man

One of the more famous singles from Black Sabbath, it became even more famous after being used in Marvel's Iron Man movie. The lyrics are about a man who travels to the future and sees the apocalypse. When he returns to the present, he is turned into steel, ignored by the population he tries to warn, and turns vengeful - causing the destruction seen in his vision.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Main theme from the television series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”

This sitcom set in Minneapolis benefitted from early 70's feminism as it featured a single career-oriented woman making her way on her own.

STAFF PICKS:

It's A Shame by The Spinners

Bruce's staff pick brought the Spinners a hit at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, their first hit in about 5 years. This single was co-written by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright in their first collaboration. Wonder and Wright would get married in September of 1970. The Spinners would go on to have bigger success after signing with Atlantic in 1972.

War by Edwin Starr

Rob brings us a classic protest song. "War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing." Motown first released this song with the Temptations, but Starr would take it to number 1 with a heavier sound, reminiscent of James Brown. The Undisputed Truth is the backing band on this song.

I Want to Take You Higher by Ike and Tina Turner

Brian's staff pick is a cover originally performed by Sly & the Family Stone. Ike and Tina Turner would take this song to number 13 on the charts, so they did ineed take it higher than the original which peaked at number 38.

Tighter Tighter by Alive 'N Kickin'

Wayne features a one-hit wonder written by Tommy James that Alive N' Kickin' took to number 7. The group split up shortly after the single fell off the charts. They would reform in 1976, and still perform from time to time today. Despite being a pop love song, it has a surprisingly solid guitar riff.

NOVELTY TRACK:

Rubber Duckie by Ernie

This Sesame Street song was on the pop charts a number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 1970.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

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