Watch Black Sabbath perform ‘Paranoid’ for the very last time at farewell show
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, the Charles Dickens’ line goes. For Black Sabbath, it was the end of times. During their huge farewell show at Villa Park in Birmingham, they played the classic ‘Paranoid’ for the very last time together.
The show titled ‘Back to the Beginning’ included Steven Tyler, Soundgarden, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Mastodon, Tool, as well as members of Limp Bizkit, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Megadeth, Van Halen, Ghost, and Faith No More.
Butler famously churned the lyrics to the song out in a couple of minutes. Despite this, they have been immortalised in Sabbath lore as holding hidden depths and controversy; many fans and critics misheard the lyric, “I tell you to enjoy life,” as “I tell you to end your life,” thanks to Osbourne’s quaking delivery. Osbourne’s last time delivering the song makes the line as mythic as ever. New meaning now buried itself into the track.
Osbourne remained sceptical up until the very day of the show, as he has struggled with a host of health issues since the last Black Sabbath performance. In 2023, Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and has struggled greatly since, with his condition worsening following a bad fall in 2019. Despite the fact that the singer can no longer walk, he held his own during the track.
‘Paranoid’, of course, was the final song that echoed throughout Villa Park. Their short set began with ‘War Pigs’, followed by ‘N.I.B’ and then by ‘Iron Man’. Right before the band’s final set, Osbourne had rattled through hits like ‘Crazy Train’ and ‘Suicide Solution’.
“It’s the last song ever,” Ozzy yelled from his throne. Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Watch Black Sabbath play ‘Paranoid’ below.
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