Black Sabbath "War Pigs" Analysis Reaction

Okay, super leery about this one. I try to keep things as positive and upbeat on this channel as possible, but Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" has been consistently requested so much so that I had to do a bit more of a deeper dive. Now, we chose a version of the remastered audio dubbed over a film called "Motherland" just for a bit more visuals to add additional context (though there were no great live performances we could find). I hope this hits!
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to Black Sabbath performing "War Pigs" for the first time.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written and Performed by Black Sabbath
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I definitely recommend watching the original video without interruptions. Here's the link: • Black Sabbath ~ War Pigs
Show Black Sabbath some love: / @blacksabbath
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WE HAVE MERCH! Check-out the full line-up here: thecharismaticmerch.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🎧 Elizabeth’s favorite headphones 🎧 : imp.i114863.net/zayoEM
Music Gear Questions? 🎤 See my list of recommendations: imp.i114863.net/yRyGoV
WANT MY CHAIR? I don’t blame you…and here’s a link to make it even sweeter:
secretlab.co/?rfsn=4692958.b2...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🎙️Podcast: thecharismaticvoice.com/podcast/
🌐Website: thecharismaticvoice.com
📸Instagram: / thecharismaticvoice
🧑‍🤝‍🧑Patreon: / thecharismaticvoice
📺Twitch: / thecharismaticvoice
📰Our FREE Newsletter: eepurl.com/gz7Z_z
-------------------------------------COURSES------------------------------------------
🎵MUSIC APPRECIATION COURSE🎵
Want to understand how to listen to and appreciate music more? My Music Appreciation course is now live. Take a look at thecharismaticvoice.com
🎶DEMYSTIFYING SINGING🎶
My intensive 7-week course on vocal foundations includes weekly group sessions and private lessons. Learn more at thecharismaticvoice.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have a sister channel: THE SINGING HOLE. Join us there to examine how ordinary creatures create extraordinary sounds. / @thesinginghole
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#blacksabbath #Reaction #TheCharismaticVoice
-------------

[@Hichamvanborm]

Being anti war is not political, it is just basic decency.

[@willieboy3011]

Where is the basic decency against Communism, which was totalitarian and has killed 100 million? Where are those songs?

[@dickwaffle468]

@@willieboy3011 Doesn't SOAD song - Hypnotize reference Tiananmen Square? That'd be a song against left-wing authoritarianism. Also saying "communism killed 100 million people" is weird because how'd you count it? And yeah capitalism and neo-liberalism is also leading to millions of preventable deaths in its own way?

[@catdubh4787]

@@willieboy3011 If you watched this installment of TCV, you've just listened to one. It's blisteringly clear that Sabbath wasn't just calling out the US for the Vietnam war. They were calling-out everyone involved in perpetuating it. That's the entire message of the song, and it's how it was understood at the time.

[@dickwaffle468]

Yeah it was pretty odd of her to say.. especially after featuring SOAD a lot who are openly far-left band. People tend to think of things that are 'non-controversial' as the same thing as 'non-political'.

[@chaptermasterpedrokantor1623]

@ Capitalism killed a hell of a lot less people. Corporate greed does, but even so called anti-capitalists today use smartphones and electric cars made with rare earth minerals stripmined under appalling conditions in Africa. As it stands capitalism lifted and is still lifting billions of people out of poverty even today, whereas communism only brought poverty and death to the billion of people unfortunate enough to live under it. And a lot of the capitalism is evil rhetoric comes from communists, who all live comfortable lives thanks to capitalism. Rant over: What I think willieboy meant was that sometimes war is the only course of action. When you are faced with a regime of insurmountable evil you should be willing to go to war with it in order to protect you, instead of avoiding conflict at all cost and offer appeasement, or worse, surrender. Either that or yes, he was off on a rant too.

[@michaelmignone5869]

Ozzy is the only human where you can clearly hear what he sings but can't understand a damn word when he talks 😂

[@AiXeLsyD13]

Nah, Tim Armstrong from Rancid may have him beat.

[@kgaming9455]

Sounds great live in his seventies still singing great, but can barely form a straight sentence irl 😂 god I love Ozzy

[@jbucktheman]

Ozzy is one of those people where you can only hear two words when you hear him say a sentence. But it’s the two most important words in the sentence.

[@DM0407]

The Gallagher brothers.

[@misterschubert3242]

There's also Mel Tillis and Jim Nabors...

[@marcies3789]

There's a reason this song is so very legendary. It rails against war, it rails against human suffering, it cries out for it to stop. As relevant today as any other time in history.

[@Windykun]

Idk why some people that support no war think metal is evil, some is but Black Sabbath is not underlying-ly evil, it’s dark but it’s it’s not evil, it’s basically conquering darkness with darkness

[@salvadormonella8953]

NOT EVEN. Your sentiment is nice, but a little soft headed. Black Sabbath aren't known as great thinkers, extolling virtue, or having any sort of philosophical or moral supremacy. This song is popular because of the music. It's a fun tune to listen to and play. The lyrics to WP changed dramatically over the song's development. Osborne had a basic conceptual premise, and worked to fill in the lyrical blanks with vaguely relevant notions.

[@maxhames499]

After 54 years of listening to this song it still holds as an honest depiction of our times.

[@salvadormonella8953]

It holds true when the same political party that brought us the Vietnam War (and 80% of all U.S. wars, WWI, WWII, Korea, Afghanistan, U.S. Civil War, the war of 1812, etc.) is now supporting and encouraging Palestine v. Israel and Russia v. Ukraine. "Good job" D's. NOT. Same today as it ever was, and will forever be.

[@cwize]

I know that Elizabeth does these videos to analyze the vocals primarily, but I feel the need to call for appreciation of the absolute clinic of iconic rock drum fills throughout this masterpiece.

[@Erndog67]

Bill Ward is, to me, the greatest drummer of all time.

[@saschaoswald480]

Yes, yes, yes! Can't believe she was able to sit relatively still without ANY air drumming. I couldn't do that while listening to this song...😁

[@AKJACKAL99709]

@Ernie S I wouldn't go as far as the best ever, but I would agree that he was often underrated and deserved to be in the discussion.

[@ChippyL93]

If you've never heard it, I'd massively recommend finding Sabbath live in Paris in around 1970. Bill Ward on the drums for War Pigs in that performance is monstrous

[@chairmanofthebored6860]

Not even mentioning that amazing bass line.

[@cgsweat]

"Why should politicians go out to fight.... they leave that all to the poor!" That line holds up just as well today as it did over 50 years ago.

[@gafferton1912]

why dont presidents fight the war? why do they always send the poor? a nice call back from SOAD BYOB

[@whenisdinner2137]

Holds up just the same as it did 3,000 years ago as it will 3,000 years in the future.

[@sneakytown]

and that is why "war pigs" is the best anti war rock anthem ever

[@user-ld9tf4td8s]

​@4matt21War. War never changes

[@ostlandr]

How times have changed from when leaders led from the front. I think Richard III was the last King of England to die in battle, defending his crown at the Battle of Bosworth.

[@poldy100]

This is pure raw doom. Heard it live twice with Ozzy. I'd argue this isn't political but sociology and philosophy. One of the most important songs ever recorded.

[@chrismack3327]

More relevant today than ever! Especially with the internet allowing for information to flow to the masses unfiltered. The line "Evil minds that plot destruction" resonates when its heard.

[@QuikVidGuy]

Oh, it's squarely political. You don't talk about war being a racket the politicians play with the poor and pretend it's not political.

[@enisylo]

@@QuikVidGuyI've found people LOVE to say that things explicitly delivering a message of class struggle isn't "politics", it's "sociology". No - it's political. It's not 'party-political', because the vast majority of parties (particularly in 'Western' culture) are post-cold-war Neo Liberal nightmares that have removed themselves from explicit class struggle framing.

[@bareakon]

Politics is both philosophical and sociological. I don't know why people are so hesitant to say things are political. Especially given that almost everything has a political element to it.

[@bareakon]

​@@enisyloYeah people totally use political to mean partisan or controversial. But it's more useful as a term for political philosophy. I remember playing a gig and being told "let's not get political" when I made a (affirming) joke about gender identity. This was 10 minutes after we'd covered Rage Against The Machine.

[@seanmorgan2781]

I would listen to Elizabeth break down a Chunky Soup commercial. Her joy for music and the human voice is infectious.

[@nealamesbury7953]

C and h sugar. ! Loved that as a kid.

[@johndrake2147]

I recall a documentary where the drummer Bill Ward spoke about playing this song back in the 70's and many of the crowd were Vietnam veterans. He was haunted by how they stood up (in some cases were lifted out of wheelchairs) when they heard the song

[@andywalker9646]

Christ that statement brings tears to my eyes. Love Bill Ward's drumming, surely one of the most underrated stickmen out there. As for the video with the cameras watching our every move and the people being dominated - welcome to the British government's wet dream of the 21st century.

[@barrytdrake]

Thank you. I'll have to look for that documentary.

[@XilehNori]

“We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us”

[@Greg-io1ip]

Of course this is a song from aftermath of Hitler's white nationalist agenda to take over the world. It may have been triggered by JFK's Vietnam distraction, but in England, the Brit Bands understand cover-up by Royal Monarchy is what is at the root of all the evil. Prince Wilhelm was given an ultimatum by Queen Elizabeth's father King George to convert German peasants into the ruling class of Germany, a satellite territory of British Royals that Prince Wilhelm was tasked to 'Get More Anglo'. Jewish merchants and bankers doing well in the GLOBAL RECESSION (triggered by USA 1929 stock market crash), was unpleasant to King George's white nationalist eyeballs. So understanding the Rupert Murdoch white nationalist connections are pretty easy to understand when you understand Prince Wilhelm went too far endorsing Hitler, and British Royals waited too long to correct their error because they feared Soviet Union as well, they thought / hoped Hitler would only focus on Soviet Union's expanding powers. This is a lesson we haven't learned. These British rockers born into meddling Royal Family cover-ups regarding Holocaust survivors sent into war in Palestine (to try again to silence the Jewish VICTIMS) are singing about The Royals and the wealthy. 'They always start the wars, leave the fighting up to the poor.' BOTH Palestinian tribal peoples and Holocaust survivors were placed in a fabricated war. Still ongoing. To cover King George's orders and Queen Elizabeth's Apartheid inaction (until Lady Di called her out, which cost her).

[@Greg-io1ip]

@@andywalker9646 Bingo! This is totally about Queen Elizabeth's daddy wanting a ruling class of German peasants and giving Prince Wilhelm the agenda to be rid of Jewish merchants and bankers in Nazi Germany. Which was literally 'King George's Germany'. His daughter was an expert manipulator of crime syndicates and cover-ups. Prince Andrew cover-up was her smallest crime. And it delivered Russian asset Cadet TwinkySpurs to top office of humanity. Simps too racist and simplistic to understand nobody near Robert Maxwell nor his successor Rupert Murdoch were any good. Lady Di was trying to out them all. She got pregnant with Dodi's Muslim child and became disposable. We all fell for it. China was the VICTIM paying for the cover-ups that blamed "Wuhan Virus!" on them, yet obviously China wouldn't gain anything from destroying the Wuhan event venue they spent probably a $Trillion Dollars US to update to host global events. Why would China toss that all away midway through 2019 'Grand Opening ' of Wuhan? Well NO VALUE ADDED British banks being kicked out of Hong Kong running Shipping Transactions Skimming Operations wanted USA blood and treasure in a proxy over Taiwan, who was taken over within by Rupert Murdoch's Falun Gong criminals trying to move British banks to Taiwan with MOST HATED PERSON IN TAIWAN BY TAIWAN CITIZENS: London trained Cambridge Analytica Mossad spy embed Tsai Ing-Wen. Understand that KMT supermajority Buddhist Mandarin Taiwanese civilians are 80% of the ELIGIBLE VOTERS in Taiwan, and they will never forget nor forgive TaiMed Biologics lab SARS leak. Look it up. You believe that, it is like believing Rupert Murdoch could be elected POTUS, or Natural Born Canadian Citizen Ted Cruz could somehow be put on ballots illegally by Mannatech crime syndicate and nobody would remember Ted Cruz was on Canadian Citizen healthcare his entire life, signing affidavits to Canadian government he is a "Natural Born Canadian Citizen and wants his whole family on Canadian Citizen healthcare coverage". And still Mannatech Russian money laundering operation of NRA laughing at stupidity of MagaDumps.

[@soulbearer6214]

The whole paranoid album is a masterpiece. An album way before its time.

[@thegrumpypapa5549]

I wish that I could like the thumbs up more than once for this statement.

[@seed_drill7135]

It definitely holds up, but being late Vietnam era, it was also very much of its time.

[@colleenmcclurg2010]

Well said! I practically wore out my first record in a couple months! Major, major piece of work! Hats off to everybody involved on this album!

[@catw6998]

So many of Ozzy’s songs turns one into an instant head banger 👍😎🤭😎😎😎😎🦊

[@ronfitzhenry3726]

It was for its time.

[@jamesnation9889]

A few weeks ago, 5 of us were on a road trip, cranking tunes etc. through Croatia...4 guys (ages 22, 36,,55 and 60) and a woman in her early 30's. The 60 year-old (a very handsome, vaguely dangerous-looking character) requested this song from the 22 year-old's Spotify account. Every person in the car knew the lyrics.

[@jantje155]

Love this song. Such powerful lyrics. My favorite line is "Begging mercy for their sins. Satan, laughing, spreads his wings."

[@FleshWound42]

"No more war pigs have the power" "Hand of God has struck the hour"

[@purpleelephantdebh]

the irony of Ozzy's diction while singing as opposed to how he sounds while speaking is one of the most amazing linguistic flips i know of.

[@paulriddle7818]

Its an act. His diction is very good when speaking.

[@guen4413]

@@paulriddle7818I don’t think it’s an act. I think it’s just his accent. Accents often go away when singing

[@Sygma6]

There is a difference between sober Ozzy and not-sober Ozzy.

[@grahamnunn8998]

There is a difference between years of drugs and a very young Ozzy when this was recorded. Not so great by Never Say Die.

[@hunam3876]

@@grahamnunn8998 bingo!

[@jcparker500]

I'm going to toss my hat in the ring for "You really need to watch the live version from Paris, 1970." It's pretty amazing and you get to see the band putting their hearts into it.

[@Aakarsh1068]

My favorite version of War Pugs along with the one at The End.

[@usedscar]

Often there is just 'that version' she should analyze.

[@vikingrock4662]

I agree, that is one of the best Sabbath clips out there!

[@ochocabra1542]

Bill Ward dominates that entire performance

[@richards2920]

Missed a trick by not reacting to the live video in Paris.. Bill Wards drumming was sublime

[@jasonsangwin4006]

The key to playing Black Sabbath is to lay right back, it's very grove oriented. The energy is in the intensity rather than the speed. This is also one of the many Black Sabbath songs where you realise that Ozzy is an incredible singer.

[@adamronald89]

The end jam in symptom of the universe is ozzys greatest moment

[@enericm]

I remember other metal bands talking about Black Sabbath and a common observation was that they had a very heavy sound without needing to be super fast or producing a wall of noise.

[@ytcomment4242]

The most underrated part of this song is how they rhyme "masses" with "masses".

[@BigChuckMeister]

lol

[@johnh.blevins5927]

So true, I grew up with this song but never gave any thought to the fact the word was just sung the previous line! The way Ozzy emphasizes black before singing ‘masses’ again so soon makes it new!

[@troystaunton254]

Same word different connotations so not really the same word.

[@derekmartin2054]

Saying you can't rhyme a word to itself ever is just a cheap analysis of poetry/lyricism

[@Fallen2spring]

Yes it’s like Motörhead. Particularly killed by death it’s so stupid you realize, duh, there’s more to this. In the simplicity lies the brilliance. It’s simultaneously hilarious and deep, innit?

[@colrhodes377]

I think really we should be giving a big nod to Geezer Butler for writing the actual lyrics

[@rigel2112]

Thank you. People don't realize Ozzy was not very useful off stage and didn't write much.

[@colrhodes377]

@@rigel2112 Ozzy could barely write his shopping list. Geezer Butler and Bob Daisley wrote the majority of songs attributed to Ozzy.

[@mikegibbons7763]

And Geezer was absolutely destroying the bass part on this song. The guy is an incredible musician

[@datisalaee4693]

WOW! Thanks for sharing. I did not know that!

[@mrsteel250]

@@mikegibbons7763 yeah listening to bass covers gave me a real appreciation for how great the bass is throughout the entire song

[@christopherkrueger5948]

Ozzy’s performance here is more than just singing, it’s a chant, it’s a prayer.

[@Takumiotoko]

Yes, I thought the same. It's gospel like

[@osamaqtaitat]

@@Takumiotokowhat??!!

[@randal_scandal]

The drumming is incredible and under appreciated. Amazing song!

[@frightenedsoul]

This is the song that got me to become a drummer

[@russellsawyer1397]

I am an old-ish Black Sabbath fan and recall that the core concept of the band, at their launch, was to make frightening music. They wanted to try to address uncomfortable subjects uncomfortably. They wanted to unsettle people with their music. Judging by your analysis it worked.

[@turnthepaigebrooklyn2951]

Politics in all shapes - forms and excuses to have them needed to be abolished. It’s the government’s with their twisted goals and agendas that insisted upon War. The people of these Countries would get along fine but were pushed towards this. The politicians needed to personally back up what they wanted

[@Cadinho93]

War Pigs is one of the best songs of all time. The composition, guitars, drums, bass, vocals, everything really astounding individually, but also complements each other so good as a whole. It's a timeless song and showcases why Black Sabbath are head of their time.

[@metalmark1214]

It's a good song musically, but for me, it's the lyrical content that made the biggest impact, especially for it's time.

[@davido5496]

Its so fucking good still

[@FrazerJones71]

Great to see you analyse this classic anti-war song, yes it was written in reaction to the Vietnam War but it's message still resonates today. If you felt a little disturbed listening to it today then it's still doing its job in making people question conflict and it's effects.

[@HenritheHorse]

@@metalmark1214 Timeless lyrics, since war is a business and needs to go on.

[@scottzappa9314]

@@FrazerJones71 This applies to any war, IMO. Including psycho Putin's hijinks.

[@thebilldozer7970]

I come from an Army family and served myself, veterans know songs like this are important. Also Black Sabbath is the best!

[@rossferguson6504]

Ozzie Osborne, is so underrated, with regards to his singing. War Pigs, is a, friggin, classic and so beautiful. His voice is stunning and extremely smooth and precise. Perfect, for this, song.

[@maxpower6576]

Is that you, Sharon? ;)

[@robertkennedy5414]

While a lot of people unfamiliar with heavy metal think of it as only being fast, aggressive and loud, Sabbath were the first to define it in terms of mood, emotion and sound. Tony's guitar sound and the band's songwriting became the blueprint for what is now called doom metal and sludge metal. True pioneers in music.

[@cavetoad1678]

Thanks Robert, blew your mind and the CIA's too, didn't it?

[@daletris]

Sabbath was the first to define it, period. Heavy metal started (with Sabbath) as moody and atmospheric, and then evolved and somewhat merged with hard rock and became a lot more fast paced. I get the confusion if you're only familiar with Dio era Sabbath or Ozzy's solo stuff, which is much faster and much harder. But Ozzy era Sabbath is a lot slower and atmospheric.

[@cavetoad1678]

@@daletris Agreed. But, Sabbath just riffed deeper off blues than a Led Zepplin did, there's a ton of examples who didn't make it but made amazing music in that era... Some stole blues, some like Black Sabbath made their own.

[@Zeqhrox]

I swear to God. If you're calling Black Sabbath sludge metal

[@mr.puckerie4800]

In all actuality, Black Sabbath found the "heavy metal" label offensive as a band.

[@richardwilliams5387]

There's a live version from the 70's where Ward and Iommi absolutely kill it. Ward in particular is such an underrated drummer.

[@motorpsykler]

Bill Ward just PUNISHES his drums like no one I’ve ever seen. To say he hits hard is an understatement.

[@ochocabra1542]

he's the best.

[@thomaswebster5060]

Bill Ward is amazing... no doubt

[@noobslayer7564]

@@motorpsykler you can hear it so well with his snare. A sound that could cut through a jet's engine

[@melissadavis5513]

BILL WARD IS THE BEST DRUMMER EVER !!!

[@jdlech]

Nobody seems to notice how Bill Ward is just pounding away on the drums all through the song. Then you hear him keep time for everyone during the quiet parts.

[@dennis8309]

Nope, nobody noticed but you...wow you're observant... .

[@m1sterpunch]

One of my favorite parts of this channel is seeing your organic reaction to some of the most iconic moments of rock and just music history for the first time. It's amazing to see these songs again for the first time through your eyes (and ears).

[@spencerfoster5303]

This song came out in 1968. Their were a lot of people/bands putting out anti-war songs at the time. Black Sabbath was in a league of their own back then. The godfathers of metal. This particular song never ages. It's just as relevant now as it was back then.

[@larryweaver1729]

1970

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

*_"This song came out in 1968."_* 1970. Both of the first two albums were released in 1970. {:o:O:}

[@demagreg]

On the subject of the date the song was released, that was 25-ish years after the German bombings. If the band doesn't remember, they grew up hearing about it from their parents

[@sparkyjackson8479]

And years later today its so relevent

[@johnphilipfosterdobson551]

1970, I know because I was a Sabbath fan aged 9 in 1970, including the first album.

[@glennkirchens7970]

53 year old song. Still pulls at your soul, still makes you think, still makes you want to bang your head into a neck snapping crescendo. The Sab4 are so misunderstood and criminally under rated.

[@sheridaducky-xk6lx]

So well said

[@georgemaranville3305]

When Metallica opened for Ozzy years and years ago and Ozzy heard Sabbath playing on Metallica’s bus or in their backstage (can’t remember which) Ozzy thought they were making fun of him. They were and still are underrated.

[@pfer644]

That lyrics in that song are just as relevant today as they were when the song was written.

[@JohnDoe-ls1vd]

Black Sabbath was rock n Roll. Ozzy was metal. War pigs is the best Sabbath song, and still means so much today.

[@johnbsouth1]

I don’t think I could’ve ever imagined that someone reviewing a song that is so close to my heart, and my history could make me love it even more. RESPECT

[@Murdo2112]

The main thing about Ozzy's vocals in this song is that he means every word, completely and utterly. That's worth more than all the technique in the world.

[@livingmirror888]

🤘💯

[@brheinfeldt]

I completely agree! 🎤🎶

[@gerarddion4859]

And these are Geezer Butler’s great lyrics!

[@cavetoad1678]

At times, she really needs to listen to the message of the lyrics. Often some she gets recommended she misses why they win her choice; it's not only the song but the message. This song is amazing because of the message and how it continues to be true. Hopefully soon she'll realize who's behind it and get rid of the demon and octopus in the background. Funny how she is bothered by Ozzy's call against witches. At best you'd think she'd say not all are black witches. Make your choice now. The time to repent is running short.

[@DarthMajora]

​@Cave Toad oh for Lucifer's sake, get off of it.

[@lukemanion2]

The recording of this from their final show is just insane, Ozzy up there on stage muttering incoherently then they launch into this song and its like the real Ozzy wakes up and forgets its not the 70s anymore

[@desmoheli]

Agree, the Live recording from the Tour "The End" is beyond amazing! But btw. for Ozzy it might still be the 70s ;)

[@sheridaducky-xk6lx]

He's just something else. Amazing

[@BrentTharp]

Absolutely true. He sings this song like he's in his 20s.

[@phoneguy7589]

He can barely shuffle across the stage but man he can still sing!!!

[@aazjproperties6426]

Damm haters, ozzy doesn't get enough credit. Carrying melodies is a true talent

[@paxzin8501]

If folks feel that War Pigs is still relevant today, try listening to Living Colour 'Type'... It'll blow your mind on how much it relates to today.

[@sanandaallsgood673]

As a person who experienced the Viet Nam war and its ridiculous purpose, this song holds special meaning to me. A funny thing about this song. When I was in technical school (in the military) I went to a dance on base and someone had enough guts to play this at the dance. This was in 1972. I believe this song came out in '71 on the Paranoid album. No one actually objected to the song and it played all the way through. I was amazed.

[@hunam3876]

Funny how you're not mentioning who committed the atrocities back then... I guess "it's ok when we do it".

[@40kedge]

As an Afghan vet… I’d say all wars are “ ridiculous in its purpose .

[@phil2756]

1970

[@CodeeXD]

​@@hunam3876 he didn't mention any of the atrocities committed by either side. But yeah war sucks, and nah it's not really ok when either side does anything. alternatively next time one of our allies asks for help we should what? Tell them to piss off?

[@wonderboy13579]

​@Hunam until you know the details of a specific person you should probably stfu and not assume you know anything about the actions they took. What if he just drove a truck the whole time? Still going to talk about atrocities? Grow up loser, or try to defend your comment that would be more entertaining

[@vjordan1709]

So glad that you listened to this. It's not meant to be pretty. It's not meant to be kind. It's meant to show the truth. They killed it, both lyrically and musically. ✌️

[@ThePhoenixAscendant]

This song is most definitely a raw one to listen to, and her discomfort shows that the message is getting across.

[@Kings_Quest]

Doing BYOB and then this is brave

[@ThePhoenixAscendant]

@@Kings_Quest Amen to that.

[@Kings_Quest]

​@@ThePhoenixAscendantIf she now does some Rage Against The Machine, it'll be complete. (Elizabeth if you see this do Know Your Enemy)

[@vjordan1709]

@jerry gilbert Sunday Bloody Sunday comes to mind, Pride in the Name of Love (? Not sure if that's the correct title) were both social commentary songs that hit hard.

[@TheRealMightyHokie]

The saddest fact in the world is that there has never been a time in human history where this song hasn't been true or relevant.

[@DaemonKeido]

And it likely never will not be relevant.

[@troystaunton254]

I guess a positive is that it’s never been less relevant despite what mass media portrays the world. We’ve never been this peaceful.

[@chrisrogers553]

Thank you for having intelligence. People always want to talk about politics but the same story is repeated throughout history when are people going to stop it and stand up, it doesn't matter your political beliefs unless you're making money off politics and if you're one of those people you're definitely not fighting in any war.😢❤

[@provalone]

‘If You Want a Picture of the Future, Imagine a Boot Stamping on a Human Face - for Ever’ from George Orwell’s 1949 novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Some things will never change, and it is by opposing the inevitable, we are able to find purpose.

[@TheOvalOwl]

I mean that's not entirely true... The rich went to war in ancient times up to medieval. They were the only ones that could afford the gear and the only ones to care about the glory.

[@Bman-xy2vh]

Ozzy's foghorn vocals, Tony's amazing riffs, geezer's funky fast bass lines and billy wards bombastic drumming. Some of the best of sabbath on display.👍🤘🔥

[@broadsword6650]

Foghorns are very low pitched, deep, resonant. Doesn't sound like the clean, clear, piercing vocals of Ozzy.

[@jontraz5993]

​@@broadsword6650I'd refer to Ozzy as the air siren 🚨 in this context!

[@user-ux8wd2zo8q]

"I've never met a military man who didn't like this song" This is what Jani Lane of Warrant said to a an audience of U.S. troops at a USO show on Okinawa circa 1999 as they closed out their show by covering this song. And trust me, the crowd went freakin' insane. Sabbath absolutely nailed it here. The tempo, the tone, the lyrics...An absolute masterpiece. Love your breakdown of how Ozzy uses his voice to tie everything together! Fantastic analysis!

[@troypeck4128]

To be honest, I loved his song before I was in the military.

[@silentcalling]

There are very few who went to war that don't come out a pacifist. War is an atrocity worse than hell.

[@Dragondoc4]

​@@silentcalling I don't think I can agree with this sentiment. Most that I served with couldn't wait to wreck 💩. We just love to fight. The problem is the politicians and senior officers setting rules of engagement that handicap you. This leads to unnecessary pain, injuries, and deaths. You're left wondering why you are there and the theater becomes a meat grinder. So we don't become pacifists but we definitely don't like politicians.

[@RCAvhstape]

It's because once you've served you realize how you get used.

[@JahanMisra]

i used to be in a music program and one of the parents got this song banned from it because he was offended by the “anti troop” message. not the sharpest tool in the shed

[@richardjohanson2481]

Such an iconic song. Bill Ward is a beast. It always surprises me how overlooked Geezer is on this song. The bass line is epic and gives Bill and Tony the ability to do what they do best.

[@gerarddion4859]

Geezer and Bill are one of the greatest rhythm sections in all of rock!

[@PSA78]

Ozzy have even talked about it. 🙂

[@knightyyz]

Bill Ward is top ten in my book. Along with Peart, Rich, Bonham, Krupa to name a few

[@Michael-----]

I feel like these fan made videos only serve to distract Elizabeth from actual song and music. She totally blew by the "Satan Laughing Spreads His Wings" line. One of the best vocal and lyric moments of the piece.

[@pillarhood471]

Yup. This is video is great - but every single reactor I’ve seen that has used this video always ends up paying too much attention to the video rather than the actual song.

[@turgidity_city3204]

The video sucks! Definitely takes away from the song. I'm happy you feel that way too

[@sanny8716]

This is also a pretty bad video

[@leonmisselhorn1831]

Have to agree that the video doesn't add to the song. War pigs should be listened to, not watched. But maybe that's just me.

[@rextside]

So Frustrating.

[@hudsonhollow]

I was 'lucky" enough to get into a car wreck and have a steel pin put into my right femur three days before I graduated high school and therefore not eligible for the draft during the Vietnam era. Lots of my friends weren't so "lucky". They either came back with PTSD or didn't come back at all. This song always makes my eyes water. At some point I was naive enough to think maybe the Age of Aquarius was finally upon us. Now I'm 73 and have seen war raging somewhere all of my life. I have given up hope of war being replaced with negotiation. Actually communicating with each other. It seems that violence is actually increasing instead of abating. I cannot watch this video with dry eyes.

[@Templar451]

The war ended 2 1/2 yrs before my 18th birthday. My older brother had his draft card but wasn't called up. My brother lost friends. I knew them all.

[@kentmont]

Crazy how things work out for the better

[@craig2347]

Can I suggest two books for you on Vietnam that add a lot of insights, Daniel Ellsberg "Secrets" and "When Presidents Lie" by Eric Alterman. One is a firsthand story of the real war, the other the best I've seen on LBJ's choice to go to war.

[@uh8myzen]

My father fought in the Dutch army at Rotterdam until the Dutch surrendered and then was part of the resistance for the rest of WWII. After the war he emigrated to Canada where he lived on the border with the US and during the Vietnam war, he helped US draft dodgers escape the US and settle in Canada. He said that having survived a war, he would always do everything in his power to help others avoid having to experience it.

[@macm3081]

​@@uh8myzen very nice. 🙂

[@kdbadk]

It was two separate guitar lines by Tony Iommi, layered. He pioneered the twin lead guitar setup, even though there was only one of him. Sabbath's influence is incalculable.

[@terrylandess6072]

Many miss the same thing with Geezers basslines during that part.

[@madmex2k]

Love your reaction! I remember long about 1978, as a teen, me and my buddy riding bikes down the street, my friend was wearing a Black Sabbath t-shirt. A youth pastor stopped us to try to get us to come to his church. He saw the shirt, started in on how the band were devil worshippers, etc., citing the one lyric about "Satan laughing spreads his wings". I told him he must not have listened to the whole song and it was a war protest song. He says, "Viet Nam? That wasn't a war." I said the song was a protest for all wars. He began talkng bout KISS, the whole Knights In Satan's Service, or however that went, and about playing Stairway to Heaven backwards you could hear them worship the devil, etc. My friend said playing your record backwards just ruins the needle and the record, and sounds better the other way. He was not happy with either of us and told us Satan had taken our hearts and we need to come to church. My friend asked if there were any cute girls there. We laughed and left. I didn't like most church people who showed up at my house much after that.

[@lonelybro77]

I worked backstage in catering @ a Sabbath show. Knocked on their door, waited, no answer. So, I quietly opened the door and left their drinks. The room was pitch black, and 4 men (roadies?) were chanting around a candle. Ward may have been there, but not the others. Anyway, I'm pretty sure they don't worship the devil! As for that 'preacher', please don't think that's representative of all Christians. We're not all ignorant and unloving

[@MickH60]

@@lonelybro77 There is neither a god or a devil, fairy stories used to control men, usually by politicians...

[@ricelaker]

My cousin was killed in Vietnam. His mother went totally antiwar. A book and movie was made of her and her family's ordeal fighting the Pentagon to find out he was killed by friendly fire. His name is Mike Mullen and his Mom was Peg Mullen. The book and movie was called "Friendly Fire" Peg wrote a later book called "Unfriendly Fire." I graduated from high school with Mike's sister. This song always brings back memories of Mike and the Mullen family.

[@H4FF]

That's an incredible story, albeit a sad one. Loss of a loved one is never easy, and the way in which you and your relatives lost your cousin only only compounds that. Thank you for sharing this, I may have to look into the book and film.

[@Zathren]

I can only imagine how the friendly felt if he knew he caused the death of his fellow worrier. My prayers to all involved. May they know peace.

[@tompinnef6331]

I had friends that went over and fought. Some made it back, others made it back but still there. I was lucky being young enough to just miss the draft as it ended my senior year of high school.

[@sonofsalmon56]

So sad times those were for many…..all of the young brave soldiers that were involved in combat in that conflict never actually made it home!

[@cwize]

I remember some about this, remember the book. I’ll try to find the movie now. Always a good to refresh the memory of the sacrifices made out of loyalty to country, even when the country isn’t loyal to you.

[@DoNuT_1985]

It's the definitive Sabbath masterpiece... Tony Iommi's guitar parts are such a joy to listen to, there's not a single boring second in this song... how it meanders, picks up speed and tension, slows back down. One of the finest classic metal songs, everybody is nailing it on this monster of a track.

[@craigsurette3438]

The air raid sirens are especially poignant to anyone alive during the Cold War, because we all were expecting that sound to be the last sound we would ever hear, because those in power would get us all killed in a nuclear blast, and there was nothing we could do about it This paralyzing fear and dread along with helpless frustrated nihilism in the youth of the time was the cultural zeitgeist Ozzy was speaking to, that made this song so effective.

[@troystaunton254]

Bet it made more sense to those in Britain in 1940-45

[@jhetteman1]

I agree with @troystaunton254, the bombers and air raid sirens are definitely an inference to “The Blitz” that England suffered in WWII. That said it was a warning as well. Black Sabbath formed in 1968, just 23 years after WWII but also just a few years into the Vietnam War as it was really heating up. 1968 was the year of the TeT offensive by Vietnam. This was also the 1st war to have near time video broadcast to the nations of the world. War was now in everyones living room, the pain and horror and filth and futility of war on the news everyday. The draft was in effect for America a few allies, the war was deeply unpopular, riots were breaking out across America and other countries, those riots were put down hard. This song, in my opinion, was both a stark reminder of the wreckage of WWII and a protest against what could easily have become WWIII.

[@johnmathieu3430]

I was glad when the stupidity and craziness was over, can't believe that we're going back to it, by choice. And this time they're pretending that we can win a nuclear war. I wish that we could put everyone responsible in prison for life.

[@scottgalbraith7461]

At 1pm, one Saturday a month when they test the tornado siren, I poop a little.

[@christopherwhite1648]

​@@troystaunton254for the German people from 1940 to 1945 it meant the same.

[@ivo215]

There's a 40 minute live performance of Black Sabbath on YT, live in Paris (1970), and they're absolutely killing it. I recommend it. The band is in really good form there. The video has been upscaled, but the sound is original. It's a pretty good recording for a live performance from 1970.

[@marvintpandroid2213]

This

[@DrSkeff]

Totally support this recommendation, although it is from the Paris Theatre in Brussels, Belgium.

[@chaptermasterpedrokantor1623]

Sadly unless it was on TV, a local TV crew was present at a show, or the band was called Pink Floyd and they actually filmed in Pompeii, almost no good live material on video survives from before the 80's. Film cameras were hard to sneak into concerts and those that were small often had no sound recording, and until the advent of home VCR and a demand for entertainment on video cassette there was no impetus to film live shows. There probably exists less live film footage of the classic era of rock in the 60's and 70's in total then appears on YT of a random concert today. I want a time machine just to go back in time with a smartphone to film these amazing bands live.

[@random666777]

Bill Ward murders a drumset

[@sgtdevildogdavethesilentwars]

Thank you Elizabeth for having the courage to expertly present this subject matter covered in an iconic song. I am a veteran, I have my combat awards and ribbons. I can now discern 30+ years later, just as I was able to discern and understand in real time in a real war zone the perspective that Black Sabbath expresses in War Pigs. Paz y Amor amiga 🤘😑✌

[@Black_Cat.666...01]

Eu adoro essa canção. Agradeço Elizabeth pelos comentários 💕♥️💕♥️💕♥️ Aqui fã brasileira.🇧🇷😸😻😻😻😻

[@Black_Cat.666...01]

Elisabeth Faz análise da Janis Joplin tray💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕 Amo seu canal e espero ansiosa cada vídeo seu 😻💕😸

[@bryandraughn9830]

I can't stress enough how much Ozzy was in touch with our greatest fears. We were lost. The world didn't make any sense, and the grownups seemed to be oblivious. Ozzy said "I understand, im here, im your friend." He cared about the world and everyone in it. Even if he was looney as a baboon bazooka.

[@HoryTB]

"Let my Mother Live"

[@doublebassman123]

Geezer wrote the lyrics.

[@mattt2581]

@@doublebassman123 More people need to know that.

[@sheridaducky-xk6lx]

Was... is

[@markistler1033]

Grownups today are oblivious i know gen Z are watching I hope for the sake of mankind they are up to the task I bought this album for my twelfth birthday it ain’t got no better since then

[@Sarigar]

Once you know that "War Pigs" and "Deck the Halls" can be sung to each other's melodies, you'll never un-know it. Though it can make for an extra-festive holiday season. 😄

[@drewshine627]

I've had my coworkers sing them interchangeably wearing Santa hats.

[@Geo-wc7jc]

gonna sing that next time im at a karaoke bar

[@blinkin7795]

i think one of the most interesting aspects of this version of the song is that it doesn't offer any closure. it just gives this sense of spiraling out of control at the end, no peace or comfort just the message.

[@WitnessingTyranny]

It always reminded me of the sound of a rewinding vcr or cassette tape. To start all over again.

[@questioneverything1682]

The last verse uses religious imagery to evoke hopes for the war pigs to be claimed by Satan even as he laughs because they do his bidding. The ending does just "spiral out of control" and is disorienting and without closure. It was written in dark times when lots of young men were dying for a conflict with no closure.

[@TroublesomeOwl]

So little love in the comments for how genius Geezer's bass part is in this song. it's like a solo the whole way through the song. Dude's a genius. Not to mention, i'm pretty sure he wrote the lyrics

[@alexseelow]

Geezer wrote like 99% of Sabbaths lyrics. His bass playing is amazing

[@can2mar]

Exactly!

[@widespreadcranic]

Yeah Ozzy got a song writing credit but that was a gift. Ozzy is great and Sabbath would be on rocks Mt Rushmore but Ozzy wrote very little if any at all.

[@lordslothrop365]

@@widespreadcranic Sad, but unfortunately true.

[@Sanderteeuwen]

Yes I’ve always loved the bass on this. Especially on their reunion live album I really like the bass on this song.

[@virus640]

I've heard this song hundreds of times. I started hearing it from my dad's records in the late 80s. I've sung it when at concerts with thousands of other people around me. I still have goosebumps every time I hear it. Such a powerful song.

[@jackalope5589]

I absolutely love how tonny iommi’s note bending in his leads are almost sickening to such a trained ear as hers when that’s exactly what first attracted me to them as a young man . I often describe his playing especially in this song like the sound of angry bees. You may be the charismatic voice but you’re also the empathetic ear

[@ironrose2672]

"I often describe his playing especially in this song like the sound of angry bees." I've always thought of it like he'd picked up a live wire. Or he had a dragon by the tail...

[@ktrusswell3296]

George Orwell 1984

[@jeffreydale2286]

I am an empath, it is hard to consume this energy and not shed a tear😢 It is what it is, a mind blower for sure!

[@jackalope5589]

@@jeffreydale2286 I guess I would consider myself a dark empath if there is such a thing. I’ve always been attracted to the darker things in life even from a young age like Halloween and horror movies. The first band i fell in love with was kiss wich led me to sabbath. If you think about the music that was popular at the time this song came out it was mostly positive things love and dancing. Sabbath’s message was that you also need to be aware of the darkness in the world like war and drug addiction. None of their songs celebrate these things mind you they just bring awareness As a long time fan of sabbath I don’t really care for the video though. I mean it fits the song well enough I suppose. I just prefer to conjure my own imagery in my head.

[@jeffreydale2286]

@@jackalope5589 The balancing of oneself, allows for less of a complete darkness to exist, I truly believe a heaven on earth is in it’s beginning stages! Thank you and wishing all souls the best on their paths! ❤️ & 💡to you Jack Alope!

[@Cliff_Anderson]

Despite the video background (which didn't exist when this song was written), it's important to note that if you listen closely, the "war pigs" get their come-uppance at the end and this is what lends the "moral to the story" effect that the band was trying to achieve. With most of Black Sabbath's tunes, at first glance they seem to glorify the dark aspects of life, but in almost every case, they are cautionary tales and have a warning embedded, rather than glorifying the behaviors that most people tend to focus on. Love the fact that you aren't afraid to explore their music with an open mind.

[@ericfielding2540]

Interesting perspective from a classical singer. The voice of Ozzy is very effective in this song. Tony Iommi’s guitar is powerful also. It might be a slow tempo but this is as heavy as metal gets in my mind.

[@alphasixty1316]

I am not familiar with this video, it is quite well done, but the art style is well over 40 years into the future of this 1970 song.

[@KrasszTV]

It's a fan video, it's not an official music video.

[@sheets75]

At the time Black Sabbath was building up steam, hippie rock critics hated them. They were considered "too Christian" because their songs were all downers that people felt were raining on their free love parades.

[@dreggymon]

Yes. Respectfully, I think this video distracted from the music. Bill ward's drumming needed a little attention. Great work, nonetheless.

[@travisbosco8469]

All philosophy is a footnote to Plato, all metal is a footnote to Black Sabbath. War Pigs is a masterpiece, as are the rest of their first five albums. They were pioneers and the founders of the entire genre. The more you listen to Sabbath, the more your appreciation will grow.

[@ThePapaja1996]

And the heven and hell album

[@ShamanWS6]

@@ThePapaja1996 Live Evil is excellent.

[@ferox965]

​@Steve C They're coming out with a Live Evil boxset in June, I believe. I'm all over it.

[@matthewskanes7074]

PERFECTLY said.

[@EnoVarma]

Black Sabbath is a footnote to Led Zeppelin.

[@closey2112]

“Politicians hide themselves away They only started the war Why should they go out to fight? They leave that role to the poor, yeah Time will tell on their power minds Making war just for fun Treating people just like pawns in chess Wait till their judgement day comes, yeah!” These two verses have always hit home for me.

[@rcairnut]

I was only 17, this was 1970, Vietnam was still a very 'hot' war, nukes and cold war turning hot was a real deal. It was September I would register for the draft soon so this song got me! With all the bad news of the day a band released an album; this one. This group and album started a new style of rock, very heavy, gritty, no sweet love songs, a slap in the face of the Pop music of the day and a dare to the hard rock of the day. This album represented my confusion about the turmoil of the time. I still like this album with songs like "War Pigs", "Paranoid" and "Iron Man" these made me a fan of there early work forever. I think the song is more powerful with out the video because I was watching the body counts of my generation on the evening news.

[@secessioncycles1357]

As a Marine and war veteran, I can assure you that most of us agree with much of the sentiment of the lyrics - the people who start the wars aren't the ones who go and fight them. Eisenhower warned us against the War Pigs, aka the military-industrial complex. That said, we all agree that this song rocks. \m/ Please note: Most of my peers may not know what lugubrious means. We snack on crayons after all ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Semper fi, Elizabeth! Keep on rockin'!

[@ialsoagree1634]

An interesting fact I think a lot of Americans don't realize. When World War 2 started in the early 1930's, the US military (Navy and Army) was around 200,000 - 400,000 in total. Within 10 years, we had millions of soldiers and had won wars on two fronts. Today, the US military is about 4 million including reservists. Not saying we should go back to the levels we had during WW2, but we've proven that we can win wars on multiple fronts with less than a quarter of our current military size.

[@jakeg7033]

Fellow combat vet here and I can confirm...

[@AndrewWiscombemusic]

Army combat vet. Completely agree

[@fletchermorgan5970]

Thank-you for your service, sir. 🙏🥰

[@cynthiariley6866]

So many docs about the industrial war complex, Eisenhower warned us all about this and kennedy died because of it!

[@mikeburns703]

Bill Ward is one of the most iconic drummers of this era. Geezer Butlers bass lines are incredible. And lets not forget Tony Iomi, whose amazing guitar talent does so much to set the dystopian tone. Ozzy's vocals are epic and the lyrics powerful, and damning of the senselessness and corruption and greed that drives the "war machine".

[@electricalarachnid]

It's beautiful how they kind of recreate the chaos of battle during the instrumental as the bass, drums, and guitar all kind of go their own directions and tie back together again.

[@hustler3of4culture3]

Capitalism runs on blood. Or so I've heard

[@doznoff]

I'm thinking Toni has finger tips cut off and has some prosthetic finger tips

[@twistedoperator4422]

Well said

[@grilledspaghetti]

Yes, I've always felt that Ozzy wanted people to understand every, single, word that he was singing here. He knew this was a document.

[@rigel2112]

Don't forget Geezer who wrote it for Ozzy to sing.

[@grilledspaghetti]

@@rigel2112 I know, but ozzy felt the poignancy.

[@trfatman]

Elizabeth, I consider this one of the most iconic songs of all time. Originally Geezer Butler had titled the song "Walpurgis" and the lyrics were even darker. Walpurgis is the Christian/Pagan holiday (Apr 30 - May 1) which according to folklore was the night the witches gathered for a black mass. Geezer has been quoted, "Walpurgis was like a satanic Christmas. I felt there is nothing more Satanic than war." The song opens their second album, which I believe the band wanted to name "Walpurgis", but the label felt it was too dark. So they named the album "Paranoid" and Geezer rewrote the lyrics and renamed the song "War Pigs". I know a lot of fans want you to react to the 1970 live performance, and when you do, take notice that Ozzy sings some of the original "Walpurgis" lyrics in that performance. "War Pigs" speaks out against politicians who start wars in order to increase their own power, causing death and destruction to the people, but in the end they will face God's judgment, and there will be no mercy. I remember hearing this song for the first time when I was about 11 years old (1974). I grew up in a very religious and patriotic household, so Black Sabbath and "War Pigs" were considered evil and dangerous. I'll keep my comments apolitical, so let's just say my viewpoint changed over time and I have grown to believe "War Pigs" is one of the most powerful anti-war songs ever. Every generation should hear and understand the message of this song.

[@derekbowbrick6233]

This is the story I grew up with, and I'm old enough to have bought Master of Reality when it was released.

[@edwardmunoz7853]

The band has more talent in their little toes in that performance than everything playing in the radio combined. Nothing but raw talent 💯🔥🤘

[@kevinharrison2169]

My absolute favourite Black Sabbath song. It cuts to the quick, no apologies made. The way the song is crafted, with the vocals and drums and guitars in perfect balance to bring across their message. So glad you did this analysis Elizabeth, big thank you!!

[@JUDEEDWARD]

War Pigs is a song for all time. Unfortunately It's as relevant now as it was when it was released. A masterpiece.

[@Sam-xn7zp]

The guitar work Tony Iommi put in this track adds to the ominous feeling you get from Ozzys vocals. The layering of solos adds to the chaos perfectly.

[@Helix504]

I’m really glad you watched this just a week after hearing B.Y.O.B. They are both so powerful in their meaning, released 35 years apart so have completely different sounds… yet both songs are aligned in the kind of message they send out to people. I’ve always bridged these two songs in my mind as they stand out above the rest in the power of the lyrics

[@chupajr1]

Agreed! I never noticed before that they share a line about always sending the poor

[@Carneyar_the_Druid]

Although not as deep as B.Y.O.B. but "Prison Song" has also have a strong message. Another song I would recommend is "4th of July" from Soundgarden. I think it so underrated. Also it's message isn't in your face so everyone can get a personal meaning of it.

[@JeffSmithbureau13]

This and BYOB are really two of the best anti-war songs ever. Kudos for picking them.

[@cavetoad1678]

BYOB is Commie shit. Plain and simple.

[@cavetoad1678]

It's completely different if you understand their governments and the time period. Pawns in chess have been happening for centuries, stop for a moment and ask yourself who's behind the money. Always follow the money.

[@matthaft2048]

One time in the car this song came on the radio. My mom said rhetorically “Who ever told him he could sing?” I now tell people i was orphaned at birth

[@Westy0311]

When I was in the Marine Corps, I briefly was in the machine gun section (an 0311 infantry rifleman out is School of Infantry) and our platoon sergeant took us out for PT and started singing this song as a running cadence. Looking back, I can see why he sang this song as he was a metalhead but it was quite ironic at the same time as our jobs was to train to fight in war. I’m glad that I got out weeks before my unit left to go to the initial invasion of Iraq as my battalion was the lead infantry unit for the whole Marine Corps from Kuwait all the way up to Baghdad. I had a hard time dealing with the survivors guilt from 14 Marines dying in a training accident in Yuma, Arizona in 2000 but Lord knows how hard it would be for me to deal with PTSD from the combat that they saw. Semper Fi.

[@guitarsrcool4922]

Thank you for your service.

[@gregsonger7221]

Do or die! Oooorah!!!

[@scottkrupp6912]

Faith No More does an amazing remake of War Pigs. Again, Mike Patton kills it.

[@adefazio2730]

Totally agree! I love that cover.

[@brianloy7856]

There is a 45 year gap between the recording of the song and the video you are watching. Some of you youngsters don’t realize this. I like the fact that you were taken aback by this song. Ozzy was a very unique singer. He could sing almost perfectly on pitch without any waiver or vibrato in his youth before age and drugs took their toll. This made him, like the Beatles, a perfect candidate for double and triple tracking his voice on separate tracks and then blending those tracks together for the final lead vocal. The same is approximated today with outboard digital equipment. With Ozzy it is uncannily pristine, precise, perfect and “cutting.” It hits you squarely between the ears above the chacophony of the band. I’m glad you experienced this!

[@charleswettish8701]

All musicians read this and know you're not a musician. BTW, tons of awesome vibrato in Ozzy's voice in this song. But you're saying he has none, as if that's a good thing. Stop talking about sht you don't know, OK? 4:50 THAT is vibrato, and quite a lot of it!

[@dangitsbilly5411]

53*

[@UlfMTG]

I've always wondered to myself, what it is about Ozzy's voice that just sounds so good to me, but you explained it perfectly!

[@charleswettish8701]

@@UlfMTG He explained it wrong. He's using words he doesn't understand. Ozzy IS amazing and part of the reason is that he uses "vibrato" very well. This dude saying Ozzy doesn't have vibrato is simply wrong. "Generals gathered in their masses..." "Masses" is thick with very well controlled, perfect, vibrato. Many or most of the end of phrases in that song have vibrato. Intentional, musical, awesome vibrato. NOT the lack of it, like brianloy7856 incorrectly claims. The quality he is trying to describe is the strong frontal face control that delivers the strong mid-range over-tones, of the primary pitch, that make his tone very defined. Not even sure wtf he's talking about with "outboard digital equipment".

[@richardjosephus6802]

This video is more about WW2, the song was more about Vietnam.

[@Bonzosbadgeholder]

I still get chills when I hear the air raid sirens. Saw them live and it's an incredible experience.

[@OLDSCHOOLROGUE]

Elizabeth…..I’m so happy that you did a video of this classic! I’m a Sabbath fanatic of 40+ years, so here is my critique of your review. Music videos weren’t around when they recorded this, this song, as most of their music is best appreciated when not watching a video. Simply listen to the songs and let the music and vocals create the story in your mind! Write your own personal “video”, this is how their music was meant. Don’t let someone else interpret the lyrics for you. This is true for all of the masterpieces they created. The entire Black Sabbath catalog writes it’s own video in your mind. Their collection is full of songs that tell a story of not being in control of your destiny, unless you take control! They were the original Heavy Metal band. They tried to enlighten us all, you simply need to listen😊

[@matt0607hkgts]

i couldn"t agree with you more < i listened to this song for years and imagined to my own storyline , and as a side note , nothing has changed , its as relevant today as it was back when it was released

[@garyjenkins7249]

Every time I listen to Iron Man I get a mini movie in my head

[@hw2508]

I second that. If you listen to Sabbath for the first time. Just the record. The opening of the first record or this song: It is so powerful and they tell stories that instantly paint a picture in your mind. Like The Wizard, Iron Man, N.I.B., Fairies wear boots, Hand of Doom.

[@markknight6267]

So well put 👍🏻

[@CorwinYoutube]

Excellent comment! I agree and find this true for all music. Listen and let the music and lyrics paint the picture for you. Or watch a video of a live performace.

[@captainnibby]

As a youngster of 16, when I discovered this song (despite my parents trying to hide their OLD music) this song spoke to me and shook me deeply. You should check out Sabbath's song Children of the Grave next!

[@davidmcdonald3780]

That’s crazy your parents hide their music from you! I remember Sabbath and Zeppelin being the soundtrack of my childhood!

[@imitto]

My son was 13 when he found Black Sabbath in my collection, that was the point he fallen down the rabbit hole :) Sabbath, Led Zep,, Deep Purple, then Motörhead, Mötley Crüe...Now he is a 15 years old and listen to the exact same music as me.

[@DaMadMardigan]

Seen the Ozzman 10 times, 8 of his solo years and 2 with the Original Black Sabbath. He’s an incredible talent, always surrounded by great guitarist. His voice is truly iconic, and he was a great performer live.

[@gerarddion4859]

Ozzy is definitely one of a kind!

[@SJ-ty5rw]

He also surrounded himself with good song writers . Geezer Butler and Bob Daisley

[@seanj3667]

I think I have seen him 7 times, starting on the original "No More Tours". In his prime, on especially during those all-too-rare sober and healthy times, no one was better.

[@helkas3316]

This entire album is a masterpiece. This album came out about 6 months after their debut album "Black Sabbath". This is meant to be heard on a real stereo with volume on max. I pick up on the aura the sound evokes and that's what really still speaks to me even now. I've been listening and enjoying Black Sabbath since I was 10 or 11 which would've been in 1972, 73'. I had no idea who they were when I won the Black Sabbath Vol. 4 album on a bet. I went home and played the whole of it, but, that first song "Wheels Of Confusion" from the very first notes played, I knew this was my band of all bands. I love others like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, The Moody Blues, lol, yes, abit around the clock, but, Sabbath has always been the Alpha and the Omega.

[@kevinshea7048]

I hear ya because I am the same way. Sabbath is my number one of the old school metal bands - they are the beginning. Tony Iommi is a riff genius. His tuning and amp setup gives such a dark and heavy sound. Hendricks did distorted amps and drop tuning but not like Tony Iommi. Geezer Butler is a phenom on the bass guitar, you can hear him chugging away on every song. Bill Ward is my inspiration for getting behind a drum kit. I love his complex fills and style of playing. Rat Salad and Jack the Striper/Fairies Wear Boots is another epic piece of drumming by Bill Ward.

[@gerarddion4859]

I agtee they are the alpha and omega of metal!

[@samanthagames1023]

The drum playing in this is incredible, one of the best songs to showcase one's ability as a drummer - and Bill Ward's definitely the man for the job.

[@BeerNightYTshow]

The fact that this song came out in 1970 is amazing. No band was doing this at that time. The song structure is amazing, and to this day noone can touch.

[@anthonyw5261]

Thank you!!!!

[@ElGnomistico]

Sabbath not only helped create heavy metal as a whole, but with their first couple albums they also pioneered Doom Metal. This is fantastic.

[@Phantasm2Cuda]

Not to mention the lyrical content nobody was writing songs like that with that content as dark as it was

[@kentgrady9226]

The fact that Ozzie speaks like, well, Ozzie, yet his vocal diction is perfect, is proof positive that the Cosmos, whatever form She takes, has a fantastic sense of humour.

[@supernautacus]

She DOES indeed! And, YEAH! i DO know!

[@brolinofvandar]

Ever heard Jim Nabors sing? Given the goofy Gomer Pyle voice, what you hear when he sings is startlingly amazing.

[@toddstevens13]

@@brolinofvandar Like performers who have non singing Stutters, but who singing is amazing, too many to mention.

[@bjewing723]

You mentioned seeing the red cloth on the monitor. Note that the hand is missing a finger. You may also be interested to know that Tony Iommi, lead guitarist, (considered one of rocks' best) lost two of his fingers in the steel mill where he worked. He thought he would never play guitar again until a friend brought him an album by Jango Reinhart, another guitarist who had the same thing happen to him. Tony rededicated himself, had prostheses made and the rest, as they say is history. Just thought you might like to know.

[@lindsaydouglas381]

A brilliant Sabbath song, and the message is very relevant today. Simple and very effective musically and lyrically. This stirred up my emotions, nearly brought a tear. The fight for freedom continues.

[@theincantrix1144]

Relevant message, completely ignored by the masses of youth willing to enlist to throw their life away for those who use their lives for personal gain. Using "Love your country" written in blood.

[@lukegodfrey9391]

The last third of this is known as “Lukes’ wall”, it’s still one of the most iconic guitar riffs I’ve ever heard.

[@dougtittl78418]

"(though there were no great live performances we could find)" makes me want to just shake something and scream!!!

[@digibirder]

Modern artists can now play harder, faster, louder as everything evolves. But you can't play with more passion. The way the instruments are played and the lyrics sung, the chords, melodies, and rhythms convey the horror of war as perfectly as any ever will. This is a timeless classic. That is why someone like Elizabeth who really gets the metal medium is still shocked by this some 50 years after is was made.

[@lonelybro77]

And the anger, man! These blokes saw the aftermath of war in their country after being bombed. No one ever wanted to see war again!!

[@TaurusChef]

I'm so glad you did this song!!!! Black Sabbath's best song in my books. I really enjoy your reactions, and your interpretations of songs. ( your expressions are the absolute best!!) And reacting to this song does not disappoint:) for the 1000's of times I've heard this song, I have never seen the video for it. Which is true for a lot of the songs you do actually, your first hearing it, my first watching it lol! What is even more awesome you make me appreciate the song even more, or look at it in a new light. I play the bass and often get caught in a "tunnel vision" when listening to songs I know. You always seem to point out something musically that I never noticed before and for that reason amd many others I love your reactions!

[@kitsygirl]

The dichotomy between Ozzy's singing/stage voice and his regular speaking voice is staggering.

[@theant9821]

Thats the brummie accent for you.

[@lucretialee3691]

@@theant9821 Believe me Brummies are a lot easier to understand than Ozzy, just like his music, his speaking is in a league of it's own.

[@lucretialee3691]

It's been a long time joke, that if you want to understand what Ozzie's saying, ask him to sing it.

[@spriken]

@@lucretialee3691 The modern Brummie accent has softened a bit and isn't the same as the old people had. Ozzy has also had a stutter since childhood and the combination is really hard for a lot of people. He was born to factory worker parents in a bombed-out town just a few years after WW2, so I doubt there was much help at the time for his language.

[@mountainguyed67]

@@theant9821 You Brits crack me up. You like to pick apart what we say as not adding up, it would be more accurate to say it another way. All the while you do the same thing and don’t see it. He’s not from Brummingham, he’s from Birmingham. So it should be Birmmies, not Brummies. Carry on.

[@marty5596]

53 years ago! So far ahead of their time. I grew up with this song--it is as relevant today as it was in 1970. And if you think about it, throughout all of human history.

[@burntmarshwigglestudio597]

Amazing song. I feel like you would have had a better experience just listening to it as opposed to watching the video. But so glad you got to experience it!

[@Gazzatron51]

G'day Elizabeth, another Aussie fan here new to the channel. Loving your reactions to iconic rock songs and Aussie legends of rock. Rediscovering some awesome music and bands. Thank you.

[@jaysinlsavage50]

I love watching you listen to my favorite singers. Literally touches my soul in amazing ways.

[@jduncanandroid]

The video is from a German short from maybe 10 years ago, called 'Motherland'. The visuals go with this song incredibly well, but I think they actually distract a bit from a first time listen. (but wonderful for those who know the song well)

[@quentondaniels8536]

-agree

[@controllineprecisionaeroba7454]

​@@quentondaniels8536 That video should be flagged. Has nothing to do with the band

[@quentondaniels8536]

@@controllineprecisionaeroba7454 - I agree, but I think it’s a little too late in this context.

[@DanielMalefitz]

Finally you get to "The Real Sabbath" but unfortunately you didn't do the incredible 1970 live version. You definitely need to watch that one on your own time. The footage is almost unbelievable for 1970. I love Dio but the original lineup is just something else. They have released 6 master piece albums in just 5 years and with this founded so much of the very fundamentals of Metal. Which is why they are rightfully credited to be the creators of Metal nowadays. They have not only influenced heavy metal but also created the prototypes of Doom Metal, Stoner, Thrash Metal and more. Their sound is so diverse when going through the first 6 albums, it's surprising if you are not well versed with their catalogue. I hope this is just the beginning of a long journey through the original Sabbath catalogue, there are so many incredible gems there and it sometimes feels Sabbath is nowadays underappreciated apart from the few songs most people know.

[@zamdrist]

I too was surprised and disappointed too about the video choice.

[@gilliancourtney4701]

The live in Paris one from 1970 is phenomenal and Bill Ward's drumming blew me away!

[@dirkda2451]

Yeah live in Paris 1970 shows how good they were from the start and the quality is seriously good too

[@DerEchteBold]

Description says they couldn't find a good enough live version.

[@AKJACKAL99709]

Were it not for the lyrics being different, I might agree. The lyrics had not fully evolved yet when that live video was shot and the difference is enough that it fucks with my head and ruins the experience for me.

[@tomyocum1087]

I love watching your reactions to these songs I grew up on. You can feel the power in it and it brings me back to when I first heard it. When I first heard it, it was the guitar that got me into the music then the vocals.

[@ShelbyKirkpatrick-bq9lu]

I love how the drums sound like a ticking time bomb in the first verse

[@dohvahkiin1177]

This may have already been covered in the 2K+ comments: I fell in love with this song as a teenager via the 1989 Faith No More cover, having no idea it was a cover song. Mike Patton’s vocals pouring through these lyrics struck something within me, & finding out this was originally a Sabbath song sent me down a Sabbath tangent that continues to this day. Bravo Black Sabbath!

[@infernalmachine8417]

That Faith No More cover song is on the ‘Nativity In Black: A Tribute Black Sabbath’ album It’s one of my favorite

[@dohvahkiin1177]

@@infernalmachine8417 I first heard it off the Faith No More ‘The Real Thing’ album from its 1989 release - the entire album blew me away as a 13yr old at the time. Forever changed my music preferences. 🙌🏼

[@rbilleaud]

Every time I listen to this song, I'm in awe of Bill Ward's drum fills.

[@Canz000]

Hi. I generally watch on my TV but I came across one of your videos last night and have watched a bunch since. I had to come to my PC so I could make a comment. I grew up in the 70s/80s and watching you react to the stuff I've known for decades and are staples of my childhood has been a very cool experience. I love your passion for music and your knowledge of vocal talents. Your body language makes your reactions a little different then most and it seems we have similar tastes when it comes to rock music. I'm really enjoying it, so thank you. The Mr Crowley almost had me in tears, good tears. Randy is still my favorite guitar player. he was such an incredible talent and your reaction to him was amazing and reminded me of how I felt when I first fell in love with him so many years ago. You often affect my emotions in that way just because I can see you feeling how I felt. Its very cool! Keep rockin

[@brentn2288]

I see your response to songs like this and I am torn between happiness that you are shocked by war and sadness that so many aren't shielded from its horrors. I truly appreciate the view you give me for some of the greatest music of all time.

[@THumanQTip]

There's a live version of this from a 1970 concert in France that is just fantastic. Even more aggressive, and the intensity of the band has to be seen to believed. Definitely worth checking out just I get an idea of their power live.

[@birdman2944]

just to witness bill ward beating the shit out of his drums

[@ferox965]

Has the original lyrics too.

[@scottsutoob]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWTFZ4Z9pLNpmqM