Interesting fact: According to a Tony Iommi, Michael Bolton (not the guy from Office Space but the musician) auditioned for Black Sabbath. On the Born Again tour, Black Sabbath performed Smoke On The Water. I wonder what it would have been like for them to perform Dock of the Bay...
Yep! Despite what that singer is known for, Sabbath needed someone with some serious singing skills and at that confusing time in 1984 (with Geezer and Bill still in the band) they were just auditioning people who could do it. Ron Keel was another one who was seriously considered before Dave Donato was actually announced as the new singer! This was also the time when Geezer and Bill left for a long time- possibly because these vocalists were very American in style and not really in the spirit of the band (whereas Dio has a very European sensibility). Apparently, it was always the plan to get back with Ozzy eventually and everything after Live Evil was really a stop gap, right up until Dehumanizer, which in the end was as well!
@@Grandmastergav86 Wow, haha! I read the Wikipedia entry for him. It sounds like he was abused as a child, then became dependent on substances (probably because of the trauma). Then substituted Christianity for the substances. He must have been pretty talented though.
I was wondering when you'd get to this one! Well done! :) This is a reference to being born again to Satan instead of God in this case, and throughout is using the point of view of Satan in making his argument to the listener ("Just do it my way" and "think like a hunter" and to be "king for (only) a day"). You really need to do Lord of This World soon!
@@SolaMelodica , it’s from their Master of Reality album. If it’s possible to have a song that’s perfect for your purposes, that’s it! The lyrics from that era were all written by Geezer Butler, who was raised Catholic. Good luck! I’m enjoying your reactions/analyses! 🤟👍
@@SolaMelodica, even aside from the lyrics, musically, it’s incredibly creative by Iommi, since it is essentially a minuet done in metal style! So the subtle musical implication is that the listener is “dancing with the devil”! 😎🤟
Ian Gillan was born on 19 August 1945... he will be 78 this summer... his wife, Bron, sadly passed away in 2022. He has often stated that he believes "Man made God"... as his age draws him closer to physical death, I pray that he finds Eternal Life in Christ... 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 Lyrics to the song: As you look through my window Deep into my room At the tapestries all faded Their vague and distant glories Concealed in the gloom The icy fingers of forgotten passions Softly brushing my lips At the tips of my primitive soul As you look through my door Deep into my room Can you feel the mighty wall of power? It's waiting, waiting in the gloom The distant shadows of forgotten champions Those who live in me still And will rise when we challenge and kill Born again You'll be born, born again Oh, oh Look at this prince of evil Fighting for your mind Fighting all the priests of shame For the thrust of my challenge is aimed At the hearts of mutant gods Who think we're all the same They're controlling our minds And they use us for fortune and fame As you look through my window Deep into my room At your future and freedom The gray and plastic retards all floating in circles And as you taste the fruits of new sensations Softly brushing your lips As we rise when we challenge and kill Born again You'll be born again Oh, oh Born again You'll be born again If you want to be a king for a day Just do what I say Born again You'll be born again Everybody's got to think like a hunter Just search for your prey Born again Born Be alive through the night and the day Just do it my way
This is what I would consider to be Sabbath's most anti-Christian song. Gillan wrote the lyrics. His style is unique. Very poetic. Distant glories. Faded tapestries. Forgotten passions. Which are all metaphors for the fact that both Black Sabbath and Deep Purple were once very popular bands. Very powerful in that way. And the potential to make more great music. He's sort of talking to the band and himself here. And when he says, "Born again... " Again that's his writing ability. He's talking on two different levels at least. First that's a poke at Christianity. But it's also a message to Iommi and the rest of the band. Because there was doubt as to the future of the band. And Gillan is saying, "We'll live again. We'll rise and regain our glory." Then he directs his words to the listener. "Look at this prince of evil. Fighting for your mind. Fighting the priests of shame." He's saying that Christian people consider people like him evil. But he says, "Look. I'm fighting for your mind." To free your mind. From the people who want conformity, which is what religion is all about. Controlling our minds. And then he points out that religious leaders use big bands like Sabbath to make a name for themselves. And he says you can be like me. Inasmuch as you'll be free to make your own decisions. To explore new ideas and philosophies. And enjoy life without this manufactured feeling of guilt over being who you really are. That's basically the message. At the end he says try my advice for one day. Take control of yourself for one day. And you'll be born again. You'll never go back. You only have to find (hunt for) the ideas that are controlling you and get rid of them. And I agree. That's what happened to me. It's funny because I used to look at this song as the most "Satanic" stuff Sabbath had ever done. I refused to listen to it. Even though Gillan was always one of my favorite lyricists. And fear as usual kept me from seeing the deeper message. Which is actually quite profound.
Much of the damage can be repaired with proper rest and a healthy lifestyle. But we're talking about rock and roll, after all. Touring, over singing to be heard over the instruments, whatever the singer is smoking or drinking for years, etc. It all adds up.
@@ryanjacobson2508 He was never the same singer after this album, he was struggling before recording but Born Again did lasting damage without question. Listen to his work post-Sabbath, he could never hit the high notes he was famous for. The Born Again tour was painful to listen to, shame. Ian was a heavy drinker and smoker, so that defo had an effect. I mean listen to King Diamond, he gave up smoking in recent years and sounds as good as ever.
I just looked it up, Ian Gillan wrote the lyrics (Tony Iommi never wrote any lyrics, at least not that I know of). He also freaked at the sight of that horrid album cover. For some reason I could never relate to that Gillan-Sabbath period. He probably doesn't know to this day exactly how he ended up in that band (read it was a drunken night and in the morning he found himself a band member). Well, it didn't last long; a complete misfit for Sabbath in my opinion.
Pretty much disagree.....the words have strong imagery & content. But the level of vocal talent just exeeds the lyrics. The absolute sorcery of technique & word placement is very R&B/Soul oriented. It's like listening to a painting. Cheers
Gillan was a great singer, but a bear of little brain, I’m afraid, which is reflected in his lyrics. I think this is why Ritchie Blackmore couldn’t deal with him in the end.
Interesting fact: According to a Tony Iommi, Michael Bolton (not the guy from Office Space but the musician) auditioned for Black Sabbath. On the Born Again tour, Black Sabbath performed Smoke On The Water. I wonder what it would have been like for them to perform Dock of the Bay...
LOL!
Yep! Despite what that singer is known for, Sabbath needed someone with some serious singing skills and at that confusing time in 1984 (with Geezer and Bill still in the band) they were just auditioning people who could do it. Ron Keel was another one who was seriously considered before Dave Donato was actually announced as the new singer! This was also the time when Geezer and Bill left for a long time- possibly because these vocalists were very American in style and not really in the spirit of the band (whereas Dio has a very European sensibility). Apparently, it was always the plan to get back with Ozzy eventually and everything after Live Evil was really a stop gap, right up until Dehumanizer, which in the end was as well!
Jeff Fenholt was also involved with Sabbath at one point too, what a degenerate figure he turned out to be though.
@@Grandmastergav86 Wow, haha! I read the Wikipedia entry for him. It sounds like he was abused as a child, then became dependent on substances (probably because of the trauma). Then substituted Christianity for the substances. He must have been pretty talented though.
Correct Bolton before he had the famous hits. Was Trying to become a Rock/Metal star. That’s the type of music he used to make.
Born Again is my top 5. Of most underrated albums of all time from any genre.
Born again is fantastic album! And I love the album cover.
Born Again album has it’s hits and misses. This one is a big hit. One of the best songs they released after the departure of Ozzy.
I saw them on tour on this release. I can't recall how many songs they did from the album but now I'm interested to know. Will check with Setlist.FM
agree, Disturbing the Priest is fantastic song.
only if you forget all the fab dio stuff
Go listen to it loud! The whole album kicks ass!
I love this album! Backdrop of my youth (along with Pink Floyd and Dire Straits just to make it less dark😂!)
interesting combination for sure.
Musical its perfect 👌 killer metal
I was wondering when you'd get to this one! Well done! :) This is a reference to being born again to Satan instead of God in this case, and throughout is using the point of view of Satan in making his argument to the listener ("Just do it my way" and "think like a hunter" and to be "king for (only) a day"). You really need to do Lord of This World soon!
thanks, Mike. I am not familiar with Lord of this World. I will check it out and add it to the list. Thanks for the suggestion and encouragement.
@@SolaMelodica , it’s from their Master of Reality album. If it’s possible to have a song that’s perfect for your purposes, that’s it! The lyrics from that era were all written by Geezer Butler, who was raised Catholic. Good luck! I’m enjoying your reactions/analyses! 🤟👍
@@mikeg.4211 I might have heard it back in the day just not ringing a bell right now.
@@SolaMelodica, even aside from the lyrics, musically, it’s incredibly creative by Iommi, since it is essentially a minuet done in metal style! So the subtle musical implication is that the listener is “dancing with the devil”! 😎🤟
*Now..., "Disturbing the Priest"..., from the same album...*
This song keeps popping up in other comments. Definitely will need to add it to the next round of Sabbath reactions. Thanks!
Have you done After Forever? Possibly the 1st ever christian rock and also by black sabbath
Yes, I believe I did that one.
Ian Gillan was born on 19 August 1945... he will be 78 this summer... his wife, Bron, sadly passed away in 2022. He has often stated that he believes "Man made God"... as his age draws him closer to physical death, I pray that he finds Eternal Life in Christ... 16For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16-17 Lyrics to the song: As you look through my window
Deep into my room
At the tapestries all faded
Their vague and distant glories
Concealed in the gloom
The icy fingers of forgotten passions
Softly brushing my lips
At the tips of my primitive soul
As you look through my door
Deep into my room
Can you feel the mighty wall of power?
It's waiting, waiting in the gloom
The distant shadows of forgotten champions
Those who live in me still
And will rise when we challenge and kill
Born again
You'll be born, born again
Oh, oh
Look at this prince of evil
Fighting for your mind
Fighting all the priests of shame
For the thrust of my challenge is aimed
At the hearts of mutant gods
Who think we're all the same
They're controlling our minds
And they use us for fortune and fame
As you look through my window
Deep into my room
At your future and freedom
The gray and plastic retards all floating in circles
And as you taste the fruits of new sensations
Softly brushing your lips
As we rise when we challenge and kill
Born again
You'll be born again
Oh, oh
Born again
You'll be born again
If you want to be a king for a day
Just do what I say
Born again
You'll be born again
Everybody's got to think like a hunter
Just search for your prey
Born again
Born
Be alive through the night and the day
Just do it my way
This is what I would consider to be Sabbath's most anti-Christian song. Gillan wrote the lyrics. His style is unique. Very poetic. Distant glories. Faded tapestries. Forgotten passions. Which are all metaphors for the fact that both Black Sabbath and Deep Purple were once very popular bands. Very powerful in that way. And the potential to make more great music. He's sort of talking to the band and himself here.
And when he says, "Born again... " Again that's his writing ability. He's talking on two different levels at least. First that's a poke at Christianity. But it's also a message to Iommi and the rest of the band. Because there was doubt as to the future of the band. And Gillan is saying, "We'll live again. We'll rise and regain our glory."
Then he directs his words to the listener. "Look at this prince of evil. Fighting for your mind. Fighting the priests of shame." He's saying that Christian people consider people like him evil. But he says, "Look. I'm fighting for your mind." To free your mind. From the people who want conformity, which is what religion is all about. Controlling our minds. And then he points out that religious leaders use big bands like Sabbath to make a name for themselves.
And he says you can be like me. Inasmuch as you'll be free to make your own decisions. To explore new ideas and philosophies. And enjoy life without this manufactured feeling of guilt over being who you really are.
That's basically the message. At the end he says try my advice for one day. Take control of yourself for one day. And you'll be born again. You'll never go back. You only have to find (hunt for) the ideas that are controlling you and get rid of them.
And I agree. That's what happened to me. It's funny because I used to look at this song as the most "Satanic" stuff Sabbath had ever done. I refused to listen to it. Even though Gillan was always one of my favorite lyricists. And fear as usual kept me from seeing the deeper message. Which is actually quite profound.
Interesting and thoughtful take on the tune.
As far as I know, Gillan helped write the lyrics for "Hot Line" and "Keep it Warm" and not Born Again.
If you haven't reacted to "After forever" by Black Sabbath with Ozzy you should. It is awesome with a powerful Christian message.
Yep, I did that one. Great song.
@@SolaMelodica did you know stryper covered that song? They didn't change any of the words they just rocked it out.
thanks for looking at this.
my pleasure.
The album that destroyed Ian's voice lmao I believe it was Disturbing The Priest which did "the damage"
Interesting. He arguably has/had one of the strongest set of pipes in all of hard rock. I didn't know that this record damaged him.
Much of the damage can be repaired with proper rest and a healthy lifestyle. But we're talking about rock and roll, after all. Touring, over singing to be heard over the instruments, whatever the singer is smoking or drinking for years, etc. It all adds up.
@@ryanjacobson2508 He was never the same singer after this album, he was struggling before recording but Born Again did lasting damage without question. Listen to his work post-Sabbath, he could never hit the high notes he was famous for. The Born Again tour was painful to listen to, shame. Ian was a heavy drinker and smoker, so that defo had an effect. I mean listen to King Diamond, he gave up smoking in recent years and sounds as good as ever.
This album is so evil I love it!
Well done.
Work your way back to
After Forever
Thanks for posting
I've done After Forever. thanks for listening!
I just looked it up, Ian Gillan wrote the lyrics (Tony Iommi never wrote any lyrics, at least not that I know of). He also freaked at the sight of that horrid album cover.
For some reason I could never relate to that Gillan-Sabbath period. He probably doesn't know to this day exactly how he ended up in that band (read it was a drunken night and in the morning he found himself a band member). Well, it didn't last long; a complete misfit for Sabbath in my opinion.
So it's not just me. Love Deep Purple and I love Sabbath just a combo that didn't quite work.
Trashed references it, fun track too.
alot of the lyrics r incorrect in that video
interesting. hmmm. wish they were more accurate.
I dunno. I like this album.
It is a good album, I agree. However, they've raised the bar so high with nearly flawless releases.
Pretty much disagree.....the words have strong imagery & content. But the level of vocal talent just exeeds the lyrics. The absolute sorcery of technique & word placement is very R&B/Soul oriented. It's like listening to a painting. Cheers
Thanks for chiming in Geo.
1st of all...the lyrics showing were wrong
2nd of all, I didn't create the lyric video.
@@SolaMelodica wasnt being rude..i luv what ur doind bruh...keep rockin
Very underrated album. But good Lord the mix is horrible.
The album cover is too evil lol
Kind of an odd one for sure.
Gillan was a great singer, but a bear of little brain, I’m afraid, which is reflected in his lyrics. I think this is why Ritchie Blackmore couldn’t deal with him in the end.
Interesting. I found this combo a bit odd but it worked for a while.