Black Sabbath et al: Top 20 Songs

Black Sabbath et al Top 20 Songs

Black Sabbath are considered one of the foundational heavy metal groups. Along with Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, they introduced a genre of rock music characterized by distorted guitars, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and sheer volume that blended blues rock, psychedelic rock, and acid rock. All three bands formed in 1968. Black Sabbath started out as a blues group in Birmingham, England, that went by the name Earth. They changed their name to Black Sabbath in late 1969. They were active until 2017, although 2006-2010 they went by the name “Heaven & Hell,” named after the band’s 1980 Ronnie James Dio-era album. They also had a reunion in 2025. The original lineup consisted of: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals: 1968-79, 1997-2006, 2011-2017, 2025). Died in 2025. Tony Iommi (guitar: 1968-2017, 2025) Geezer Butler (bass: 1968-2017, 2025) Bill Ward (drums: 1968-84, 1994-2006, 2011-2012, 2025) The four original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Other members over the years included: Ronnie James Dio (vocals: 1979-83, 1991-92, 2006-10). Died in 2010. Geoff Nicholls (keyboards (1979-2004). Died 2017. Vinny Appice (drums: 1980-83, 1991-92, 1998, 2006-2010) Ian Gillan (vocals: 1982-84) Bev Bevan (drums: 1983-84, 1987) Glenn Hughes (vocals: 1985-86) Eric Singer (drums: 1985-87) Dave Spitz (bass: 1985-87) Ray Gillen (vocals: 1986-87). Died 1993. Tony Martin (vocals: 1987-1997). Cozy Powell (drums: 1988-1991, 1994-95). Died 1998. Neil Murray (bass: 1988-90, 1994-97) Bobby Rondinelli (drums: 1993-97) Ian Gillan and Glenn Hughes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 as members of Deep Purple. Bev Bevan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 as a member of Electric Light Orchestra. Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Black Sabbath DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Ronnie James Dio DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Ozzy Osbourne Dave’s Music Database: “Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists”

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Top 20 Songs These are the top 20 songs by Black Sabbath, as wel as solo efforts by their most prominent lead singers, Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio. This list has been created in honor of Ozzy Osbourne, who died on 7/22/2025. Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Black Sabbath “Paranoid” (1970) 2. Ozzy Osbourne “Crazy Train” (1980) DMDB Top 2%: 3. Black Sabbath “Iron Man” (1970) DMDB Top 5%: 4. Black Sabbath “War Pigs” (1970) 5. Lita Ford with Ozzy Osbourne “Close My Eyes Forever” (1988) DMDB Top 10%: 6. Black Sabbath “Black Sabbath” (1970) 7. Ozzy Osbourne “Shot in the Dark” (1986) 8. Ozzy Osbourne “Mama, I’m Coming Home” (1991) 9. Ronnie James Dio “Holy Diver” (1983) 10. Ronnie James Dio “Rainbow in the Dark” (1983) 11. Ozzy Osbourne “Mr. Crowley” (1980) 12. Ozzy Osbourne “Flying High Again” (1981) 13. Ozzy Osbourne “Bark at the Moon” (1983) DMDB Top 20%: 14. Black Sabbath “Children of the Grave” (1971) 15. Ozzy Osbourne “No More Tears” (1991) 16. Black Sabbath “Heaven and Hell” (1980) 17. Ozzy Osbourne “Over the Mountain” (1981) 18. Black Sabbath “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” (1973) 19. Ronnie James Dio “The Last in Line” (1984) 20. Black Sabbath “N.I.B.” (1970) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Black Sabbath DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Ronnie James Dio DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Ozzy Osbourne Dave’s Music Database: “Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists” First posted 7/22/2025.