The song was not only featured in the credits of *Marvel's Iron Man 2008, but has been played as the opening in numerous sporting events in the USA for decades. The song is based on the typical science fiction themes of the time, time travel, apocalypse in the future, influenced by the Cold War. Here it takes the form of a time travel experiment in which the protagonist travels from the apocalyptic future to the past in order to save humanity. His attempt to warn people fails because, as a result of the time travel, he has lost everything human on the outside and cannot make himself understood. The fatal twist is that he is the actual cause of the catastrophe. Time travel paradox, a self-fulfilment prophecy. Electric funeral from the same album fits seamlessly with this song in terms of mood and subject matter. Aside from the question of how such a topic can be intellectually processed lyrically in such a song, as a consumer of 50's and 60's science fiction films, I personally find the musically created mood in harmony with the topic excellently realized. Geezer Butler, who wrote the lyrics for almost all Black Sabbath songs, said, quote: ""I was very interested in science fiction at the time," "Remember, this was the time of the space race," "A lot of what I wrote about was inspired by those kinds of stories. I was fascinated by what happens to a human who is suddenly transformed into a metal being. He still has a human brain and wants to do the right thing, but.................."

The moment they hit the gallop is one of the greatest moments in rock music.

I don't understand why you think the lyrics "didn't go" or were forced. The lyrics are literal and straightforward. He traveled back from the future to warn humanity about an apocalypse, when he was turned to metal in a magnetic field while time traveling. No one helps him, so he goes on a revenge rampage. Music by lead guitarist Tony Iommi (eye-OWE-me) and lyrics by bassist Geezer Butler. I suggest Symptom of the Universe and Lonely is the Word.

The meaning of the storyline - a self-fulfilment prophecy, mixed up with time travel - is actually quite complex. It’s about a man who goes into the future and witnesses the apocalypse. Going back to his own time, he encounters a rogue magnetic field, which turns him into a mute, steel creature. Unable to talk, he still tries to warn people about the impending end of the world, but is only mocked for his troubles. Angry and bitter, he eventually causes the devastation he’d warned everyone about. Ultimately the would-be hero becomes the villain. Luv u for this !!!

An absolutely iconic riff. When this came out in the 70s it was immediately a classic riff you know? When I was in middle school in the early 70s my first band learned this song and we played it at the school's talent show. I just loved this riff, it was so dark and cool. Lyrically the song is about Iron Man, a superhero, who traveled through time to save humanity. But in the great magnetic field he was turned to steel, and then the rest of the humans shunned him out of fear. After being ostracized for a long time he finally took his vengeance out on humanity and "killed the people he once saved". That, in a nutshell, is Iron Man. The song was used in the end credits of the movie Iron Man. Love your channel guys!!

I have been a fan since I graduated high school In 1971 and have 8 tracks albums & cds.

Minus the Instrumental titled Rat Salad, you have two songs left off of The Paranoid album. Electric Funeral which is a very dark and heavy song in itself which is about nuclear holocaust and the apocalypse as you will be able to see from Geezer Butler's awesome lyrics and then we have Hand Of Doom which is one of Black Sabbath's top 10 best songs without a doubt the song is about heroin and the war. Very detailed lyrics about what heroin will do to your body yet the song is so mind blowing and stunning. Happy New Year!!! 🎉🎊 Iron Man - bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler, tell the story of a self-fulfilling prophecy in which a man travels into the future and witnesses the apocalypse. A time traveler who comes back from the future to help society, but who is instead feared and mocked because of how he's been transformed into an iron man. Geezer Butler wrote the song after Ozzy Osbourne made a comment about how the riff sounded to him “"like a big iron bloke walking. Lol. Butler has been clear that there is no link between the song and the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name, explaining that he had not read American comics as a child. Rather, he took his lyrical inspiration from Osbourne's "iron bloke" remark and he decided to compose the lyrics as a science fiction story.

The legends themselves ❤❤❤

You wanna hear a dark song by them check out "Hand of Doom". Bill Ward kills it on that track.

Might I suggest the song "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" the title song of the album. The albums Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Sabotage saw them at their creative peak and wrote some of their best songs.

Wow you guys responded quick. So glad you've discovered Black Sabbath. It was the record producers who promoted them as evil. In gonna sub. I really think you need to here Solitude or Planet Caravan. You'll be pleasantly surprised. They were all master's of their instruments. With strong influence from a swing, jazz and blues background. Please don't make me wait too long. Love from 🇦🇺

Yes Bill Ward was brilliant!

So the original Iron Man cartoons from the 60's-70's was a misunderstood huge iron robot who created havoc but sometimes unknowingly, kinda like Frankenstein and originally known as the Iron Giant. Future spin off was Gigantor. The story Ozzy tells is similar to that only darker

Others have already explained the lyrics, but in the words of Geezer Butler: "Ozzy came up with the title 'Iron Man' and I wrote it about this guy who’s blasted off into space and he sees the future of the world, which isn’t very good. Then he goes through a magnetic storm on the way back and is turned to iron. He’s trying to warn everyone about the future of the world, but he can’t speak, so everyone is taking the mickey out of him all the time, and he just doesn’t care in the end.” Now that you're fairly familiar with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, I think you might want to check out the third band of the Unholy Trinity: Deep Purple. The riff of "Smoke on the Water” is one of the few that could rival “Iron Man” as the best riff of all time. Cheers 🤟

Bill Ward, so under-rated...

Really good song! It's basically a sci fi revenge tale written to fit the music. One thing that is a bit unfortunate with some of these lyric videos is that the folks who create them don't tend to get all the lyrics correct. Examples in this track, its "when he travelled time" not "where," and "planning his vengeance that he will soon unfurl." not "unfold." But you get the idea. Tony Iommi wrote the riff and Ozzy said it sounds like a big iron bloke walking. From that, idea, Geezer wrote the lyrics.

Totally understand why someone might prefer "Paranoid" or "Iron Man." Musically, they're worlds apart. Paranoid grabs you with a lightning fast riff and a frantic pace, perfect for the song's paranoid energy. "Iron Man" takes a different approach, weaving a darker atmosphere with its intricate, slow-burning guitar work and Ozzy's haunting vocals. Both tracks showcase the incredible range Black Sabbath brought to heavy metal.

if you watched wrestling many years ago, the Road Warriors used to come out to this song! it was awesome!

Bill Ward's parents were heavily into jazz music and that in turn heavily influenced his drumming style.

One of my most favorite Black Sabbath songs…so friggin’ unique and…well…the ending…like…just…you know…WOW! Thanks for this Mrs. & Mr. Coach❤❤, maybe this song is not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, and that is perfectly fine…it sure grabbed me back when and still does now. 🤟

Killer classic song, almost everybody on Earth has heard the main riff. You should react to the song "Supernaut" from their 4th album "Vol.4".

I’ve always associated Iron Man with the 1951 science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still. It describes the humanoid alien to a T…

In 1976, aged 15, Sabbath were the first Heavy Metal band I ever saw live ( there was only 1 genre of Metal back then!). It's a good song to play for kids...if you sing "1,2,3,4,5, once I caught a fish alive"! over the top, which fits perfectly!😂

This is one of those songs that the second I hear that bass drum come on the radio, the volume knob gets cranked.

The inspiration for the song was the initial riff. Ozzy told Tony it sounded like some kind of iron bloke moving around. Bill started hitting the base drum in the slow stomping pattern and the rest just fell into place. He became the iron man saving the world from destruction, but people feared him because of what he has become. He decided to take his revenge on the people he once saved. It's the story of every hero. Thank you...now go away. Well, not this time. Iron Man lives again!

A great song from a great album which I played to death in the late seventies. The first six Sabbath albums from Sabbath are all great. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is one of my fave tracks.

miss coach says what she wants.. its just how it is

Eager for you to experience Dio as their singer on say “Heaven and Hell” or “Children of the Sea”.

The thing is with "older" music is you had so many great musicians... But as you focused a lot on drums you think of the likes you would be compared to.... Bonham....Taylor... Ginger baker.... Phil Collins ect ect if your were poor your didn't get on the stage.... I was born in the 80s but had so much fun learning these types of beats..... They don't make em like that any more!!! Thanks for the reaction guys 👍😎

Pls do lord of this world with lyrics

Hand of Doom would be killer song for a reaction . It has a good message and warning.

Iron Main came to save mankind but was ignored and not appreciated and so he got grumpy about it and decided to make a complaint. Sounds a pretty human reaction for a robot.

Lovin' the WV cap, Coach! Where do you hail from? My Mom's family has deep roots in Logan County.

Greetings, I've watched all your BS reactions and liked every one. Sabbath and Zep are the best and so is classic YES like Roundabout studio version. Lyrics are not necessary cuz their lyrics are more like poetry. I think you two would like them.

Bill Ward is my favorite drummer and Keith Moon of The Who is 2nd R.I.P. Keith Moon, he was an absolute nut of a person absolutely out of his mind. 😅😅 He was an absolute psychopath on his drum kit. Dave Lombardo of Slayer who is part of the American Big Four of Thrash Metal. Anyways Keith Moon and Dave Lombardo both have a very chaotic and similar style in my opinion. Dave Lombardo is the best drummer in Thrash Metal easy and in my top five favorites. 🤘🤘

It was used in the first iron man movie at the end..

This is a funny one for me Its probably the one Ozzy Black Sabbath era song I actively avoid. Not that its a bad song but here in NZ it has been thrashed to death. Mainly by classic rock radio stations, as has War Pigs & Paranoid but for some reason I can still listen and love those 😂. Can't love everything 😂 and like I say its not a bad song by any means and I like to watch reactions(particularly your guys 👍) of songs I know so well that people are hearing for the 1st time

A.I. and drones anyone 😵

Coming out of left field here, but I know you guys like some of J.Coles stuff I strongly suggest the song sistanem by J.I.D he’s a great new rap artist under J.Coles label and gives you a strong message about family.

12th like 👍

Also puzzled by the lyrics, wondering who - or what - the 'Iron Man' is supposed to represent. I did find the bass at the start rather repetitive, but I also recognised the riff... although I think that's the only part of the song that I've heard before - unless I've just blocked out the rest! Loved the guitar part, and the drumming, but I'm still on the fence regarding Black Sabbath overall...

Please react to Big Krit-Price of fame

Please react to CLC "NO", "HOBGOBLIN", "ME", "DEVIL", & "HELICOPTER"

I would like to recommend something lighter... Williams & Ree - The Ding Dong Song...

In some of the English bands the lyrics don't make sense. The words are put together to match the music.

Hi guys can i request to do *EXO "Tempo"* mv plllz thx

I agree with Mrs. Coach on the lyrics. At face value it sounds like a sci-fi comic book hero but it's actually a religious song. Mrs. Coach is correct in feeling like they forced these lyrics. The musicianship is on point and I really enjoyed hearing this song again. Tony Iommi on guitar was on KZfaq the other day wishing everyone a happy New Year. As far as other songs, "Hand Of Doom", "Planet Caravan", or "Changes" for a change of pace.

You kinda remind me of me except I don't have that high class accent.

Is it just or does coach look like Brendan Fraser from The Whale?

"stay away fron this group" seriously???

"satanist's"

The drums are so 70s. I'm not a fan of such drumming when it comes to studio tracks. Weird song. The 2nd half just sound random and doesn't match the main riff.