"Iron Man" is a signature song of Birmingham (United Kingdom) heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath. It was first released on their second album Paranoid (1971) and later included on their initial greatest hits compilation We Sold Our Soul for Rock 'n' Roll (1976), as well as all subsequent greatest hits compilations. Many musical acts have recorded cover versions of the song, and the song is frequently used and referenced during sporting events and in television shows and films.
Story
The lyrics concern a champion of humanity who travels Time, presumably to ensure "the future of Mankind" — his original mission was to save our species. We learn that this champion unfortunately encountered a "Great Magnetic Field," turning him into steel and rendering him immobile. He has been in this state for so long that humanity has forgotten his original identity and his original mission. Rather than hailing him as a hero, the human race now regards him as an oddity, little more than an enigmatic statue from another age. The first few lines of the song are the musings of curious passersby, wondering if he's alive or dead, if he can see, if he can move, et cetera. Although the exact nature of his transformation is not elucidated, we know that Iron Man is not solid steel, but is in perhaps an organic/inorganic state, in which he can still perceive the physical world and can still think, but cannot take action. Because humanity has forgotten everything he's done for them in the past, Iron Man has grown increasingly bitter and plans his vengeance upon the ungrateful human race. Evidently, his bizarre state of suspended animation is only temporary — when Iron Man regains his freedom to move, he "kills the people he once saved" in a dreadful manner.
The title of the song was conceived by Ozzy Osbourne; As a child Ozzy would spray paint Ironman and Ozzy Ironman everywhere he wentcitation needed. Geezer Butler took to writing the lyrics around the title, but was careful not to make it about the comic book character so as to avoid a copyright infringement lawsuit. Thus making the song telling the story of a vengeful villain instead of a superhero. Nonetheless, instrumental sections of the song were used in the 2008 feature film Iron Man at the beginning of the credits, and in the television commercials.
Other releases and uses in pop culture
- There have been many re-releases of "Iron Man". It was also a B-side for the 1981 picture disc single "Paranoid".
- Sir Mix-a-Lot sampled "Iron Man" as a rap song in the late '80s on his album Swass.
- Busta Rhymes used elements of the song in the track "This Means War!!" (featuring Ozzy Osbourne as guest vocalist) on his E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Project album.
- Swedish band The Cardigans covered the song on their First Band on the Moon album.
- Marilyn Manson used the main riff much higher for their song "Sam Son of Man".
- Though the song is not related to the comic book character, it was used (without the lyrics, only the playback) in the closing credits of the 2008 Marvel Studios movie Iron Man. The song, with lyrics available, is the background music for the first level of the Iron Man game.
- In the Futurama episode 'Anthology of interest I' the distinctive riff from Iron Man is quickly heard when Giant Bender flies to Earth.
- In the movie School of Rock, Dewey Finn (Jack Black) uses "Iron Man" as the first song to teach his class, in particular to guitarist Zack Mooneyham (Joey Gaydos Jr.).
- "Iron Man" is a playable song in the game Guitar Hero.
- "Iron Man" shows up in the end of a George Lopez Show episode when George requests a mariachi band to play it.
- Bob Rivers wrote the parody I Am Santa Claus.[1]
- A remix of the song was used for the soundtrack of Forza Motorsport.
- In 1983, a new tag team in Georgia Championship Wrestling, the Road Warriors, used this song as their entrance music. Once wrestling got big enough to be noticed, wrestling promoters either had to license the song for use, or write an original song and stop using the copyrighted material.
- This song's main riff is often one of the first pieces learned by aspiring electric guitarists, due to its simplicity.
- The beginning of the song was featured in commercials for the Nissan Titan in 2007.
- In an episode of the Simpsons, Nelson adlibs the riff as a campaign song for school president. His version goes "I am Iron Man, da da da da da da da da vote for me"
- In the Gilmore Girls episode "The Deer Hunters", Drella starts playing "Iron Man" on her harp during a function at the Independence Inn; Lorelai catches her out, telling her "No Black Sabbath, no Steely Dan, no Boston, and no Queen."
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