Paranoid is the second studio album by Black Sabbath. Released in September 1970, it was the band’s only LP to top the U.K. Albums Chart until the release of 13 in 2013. Paranoid contains several of the band’s signature songs, including “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and the title track, which was the band’s only Top 20 hit, reaching Number 4 in the U.K. charts.
Paranoid was recorded at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios in London, England with producer Rodger Bain. The album was released September 18, 1970 on Vertigo Records in the U.K. and on Warner Bros. Records in the U.S.
War Pigs Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
Paranoid was originally titled War Pigs, but the record company allegedly changed it out of fear of a backlash from supporters of the ongoing Vietnam War. Additionally, the band's label felt the title track was more marketable as a single
U.K. Vinyl Release Photo By: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The original U.K. vinyl release was in a gatefold sleeve featuring a black-and-white photo of the band, posed outdoors on a grassy hill. This was their first appearance on album artwork. To spread the original picture over the gatefold, Ozzy Osbourne was separated from the other members of the band
Album Controversy Photo By: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
In the early 1970s, an American nurse committed suicide and the Paranoid album was found on her turntable. The album's possible influence in her decision to commit suicide was mentioned in the inquest, but ultimately it was decided that Black Sabbath were not to blame for her death
Planet Caravan Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
Geezer Butler has stated that "Planet Caravan’s" meaning is floating through the universe with one's lover. Ozzy Osbourne used a Leslie speaker to achieve the vocals' treble and vibrato effects and the piano parts on the track were played by album engineer Tom Allom
Rat Salad Photo By: Colin Fuller/Redferns/Getty Images
According to Geezer Butler, Bill Ward's drum solo "Rat Salad" resulted from the band having to play long sets each night in Europe early in their career. "Bill used to fill out a whole 45 minutes doing a drum solo just to get rid of that 45 minutes," he revealed to Classic Albums. "I have no idea where the title came from, though
Fairies Wear Boots Photo By: Chris Walter/WireImage/Getty Images
Tony Iommi states the title of "Fairies Wear Boots” was inspired from an incident when Geezer and Ozzy were smoking cannabis and saw fairies in boots running around a park. In Ozzy Osbourne's autobiography I Am Ozzy he stated he doesn't know what the song is about, but everybody told him he wrote the lyrics
