Electric Funeral

Album: Paranoid (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a nuclear holocaust. It's one of several songs on the Paranoid album with an apocalyptic tone. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Chris - Philly, PA
  • Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi explains that the band would often play any given song in lots of different ways, but once they recorded a version in the studio, any quirks and oddities of the recording dictated how they played it from then on. In his book Iron Man: My Journey through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath, Iommi writes, "When we recorded 'Electric Funeral'... Bill would play it differently every bloody time. He didn't know how many times to come in, and at certain parts he plays three instead of four. [in the studio] we kept the three. And to this day we still play it that way."

Comments: 9

  • Stoney Cardin from Florida Us Of APearson from Hamm I don't like horror movies .,. So I do not watch them......The world is about to be like this Hope you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior cause I'm riding back with my Savior Jesus Christ and we are gone destroy everything that hasnt accepted the simple salvation of Christ and make holy city of Jerusalem turn into gold, and spend eternity in paradise if you didn't know......like this song alot myself and Iron Man is about present much the same thing. Godbless save yourself.
  • @cindy from NoIt is my first song learned on gutair!
  • Thomas Trobaugh from Usa Sioux City IaIt’s great that the meaning is influenced by the band.
  • Reply: Pearson From Hamm from EverywhereYou don't have to like it but in a way it kind of hypotheses a bunch of events that the most deadly animals ever, us humans, are completely capable of and would not surprise me if this song actually came to fruition
  • Pearson from HammI don’t like this song
    Because it talks about the entire world being destroyed and the sun melting and the moon crashing into earth
    And robots walking to an atomic cemetery
    And eyes melting into blood and buildings crashing down
  • Cindy from Pure DeliriumMy first learned Sabbath song on the guitar. Sabbath freakin Rules!!!
  • Gavin from LouisianaI know one of the big effects used is called "wah wah", if that helps.
  • Scott from Mdub, TxI thought this was going to tell me what effects are used on the guitar and vox?
  • Gabe from Borger, Txgod this song is awesome! i walked into my 6th hour class and my teacher was playing this and i heard the end and couldn't bear to not know the beginning
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.