Iron Man (song): Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
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 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 went{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. Geezer Butler took to writing the lyrics around the title, but was careful not to make it about the [[Iron Man|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. |
The title of the song was conceived by [[Ozzy Osbourne]]; As a child Ozzy would spray paint Ironman and Ozzy Ironman everywhere he went{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. Geezer Butler took to writing the lyrics around the title, but was careful not to make it about the [[Iron Man|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. Interestingly enough, the riff from the song now identifies with the actual Iron Man. |
||
==Other releases/references in popular culture== |
==Other releases/references in popular culture== |
||
Revision as of 18:10, 29 June 2008
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2008) |
| "Iron Man" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Electric Funeral" |
"Iron Man" is a signature song of Birmingham (United Kingdom) heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath. It was first released on their second album Paranoid (1970) 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. Trailers for the 2008 feature film Iron Man, as well as the film's closing credits, have portions of this song. Iron Man is also a playable song in Guitar Hero. Bob Rivers wrote the parody I Am Santa Claus.[1]
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 went[citation 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. Interestingly enough, the riff from the song now identifies with the actual Iron Man.
Other releases/references in popular 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.
- On The Simpsons, bus driver Otto sings the "Iron Man" riff while driving.
- Beavis and Butt-Head frequently hum the tune, especially in early episodes.
- 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.
Awards & Chart Position
- In 2000, 30 years after the song was first released, it won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
- "Iron Man" also won spot #310 in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
- "Iron Man" was awarded the #1 spot on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs in 2006.[2]
- The song peaked at #52 in 1971.
Personnel
References
- ^ "I Am Santa Claus" (audio); (video)
- ^ "VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs", 1-4 May 2006, VH1 Channel, reported by VH1.com; last accessed 2006-09-10.
