"Paranoid" is the second studio album by the English rock band Black Sabbath, released on 18 September 1970 by Vertigo Records in the UK and on 7 January 1971 by Warner Bros. Records in the US. The album features some of Black Sabbath's most iconic tracks, including "Iron Man," "War Pigs," and the title track, "Paranoid," which became the band's only Top 20 hit, reaching number 4 on the UK charts.
Paranoid is highly acclaimed for its impact on the heavy metal genre and is often cited as one of the greatest and most influential heavy metal albums ever. It played a significant role in shaping the genre and is considered one of its earliest defining works. In 2017, Paranoid was ranked number one on Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time" and was also included at number 139 on the magazine's list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” in 2020. Notably, it was Black Sabbath's only album to top the UK Albums Chart until the release of 13 in 2013.
In an effort to build on the success of their debut album, Black Sabbath returned to the studio with producer Rodger Bain in June 1970, just four months after the debut's release. They recorded Paranoid at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios in London.
The title track "Paranoid" was created as a last-minute addition to the album. Drummer Bill Ward noted that the song was written quickly—Tony Iommi played a guitar riff, and within twenty-five minutes, the song was complete. Bassist Geezer Butler recalled writing the lyrics in about two hours. The song's creation process, with Iommi’s riffs, Ozzy Osbourne’s melodies, Butler’s lyrics, and Ward’s rhythms, became a defining feature of the band’s writing style. Released as a single in August 1970, "Paranoid" achieved significant success, reaching number four on the UK charts and remaining Black Sabbath’s only top ten hit.
Many of the album’s tracks developed from live improvisational jams. For example, "War Pigs" evolved from a jam session at a club. Iommi and Butler described how the song "Warning" inspired parts of "War Pigs," and Iommi demonstrated his approach to the guitar solo, emphasizing the use of the bottom string for a fuller sound. The track "Planet Caravan" featured Osbourne singing through a Leslie speaker and an oscillator effect, which he humorously described as resembling "a fridge with a knob on."
Overall, Paranoid captured the raw energy and improvisational nature of Black Sabbath's music, contributing to its lasting influence and success in the heavy metal genre.
