Finished with my woman 'cause
She couldn't help me with my mind
People think I'm insane because
I am frowning all the time

All day long I think of things
But nothing seems to satisfy
Think I'll lose my mind
If I don't find something to pacify

Can you help me
Occupy my brain?
Oh yeah

I need someone to show me
The things in life that I can't find
I can't see the things that make
True happiness, I must be blind

Make a joke and I will sigh
And you will laugh and I will cry
Happiness I cannot feel
And love to me is so unreal

And so as you hear these words
Telling you now of my state
I tell you to enjoy life
I wish I could but it's too late


Lyrics submitted by Boonechic_21, edited by ItsJustAFaze, LHGL, RüDiger

Paranoid song meanings
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128 Comments

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  • +13
    My Interpretation
    According to many sources it only took 20 minutes to write, so I wonder if Geezer or one of the band took the opportunity to make a statement about their depression. The feeling in the lyrics give the impression that the 'individual' is suffering from a chronic depressive illness. They don't indicate any signs of socio / psychopathy because of the insight he has about the way he feels, he isn't delusional. It can be common in people like rock stars to only feel themselves when they are performing. The ensuing downer afterwards instills the depression because normal life doesn't provide the adrenaline rush that performing does, everything seems mundane and worthless. As I said earlier, i think one of the band members, probably Geezer, was venting feelings about depression. It's certainly written by someone who has experience of depression.
    Andypipson August 09, 2011   Link
  • +4
    General Comment
    The last song to be written & was supposed to be filler for the album of the same name (the album was believed to be named War Pigs initially). A quickie that turned into a classic!!!
    han2on June 20, 2002   Link
  • +4
    General Comment
    i think its about suicide. he is saying that he just cant get out of his depression and so he needs to find reasons to carry on with his life, things which will prolong his life and distract him from killing himself, obviously by the last line its too late.
    joeytheboyon July 07, 2002   Link
  • +4
    General Comment
    This song was made becuase Sabbath's manager working with them on the "Paranoid" album told them they had three or four more minutes to complete the album. Then, Tony Iommi began to play the guitar riffs to "Paranoid" and Ozzy began sing the lyrics. Once everything fell into place, "Paranoid was born." The song is called "Paranoid" because Terence "Geezer" Butler was called paranoid even though he didn't know what the word meant. A quick song that became a classic. I fuckin love it!
    Satans Angel 666on April 04, 2003   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    if you acctually listen to the song lyrics then its self explanitory.
    hell-yeahon August 22, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment
    this song was written by geezer butler, the bassist, who wrote most of their songs, he said in an interview its about how when he was a teenager and he was always depressed, and thought he was paranoid or going insane.
    bannapple1901on November 12, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    When Black Sabbath made this song they were worried it sounded to much like Led Zeppelin (A group they were inspired by) but nobody seemed to care. I have herd the Led Zeppelin song people refere to and indeed the two main riffs sound very simular. Oh well, this is one of my favorites.
    Killspyon June 21, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment
    This song is about his addiction to drugs and his wish that he never started taking them.
    Baseball_cocconuton December 08, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    Pure kick ass. Black Sabbath will never be forgotten This song is about a very troubled individual (his emotional instability caused his partner to leave him). People just think that he's a cook and aren't helping him out. However, he is lonely and wants others to aid him in solving his many issues. The guy can't find happiness and is about to commit suicide but he is still kind enough to discourage this act to others
    River Wolfon September 12, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    He's talking to a psychiatrist about his problems, but it's too late by that point.
    inpraiseoffollyon September 09, 2006   Link

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