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Who wrote War Pigs? Meaning behind Black Sabbath’s iconic song explained amid T-pain’s Ozzy Osbourne tribute

Ozzy Osbourne's fans remember him for his legacy and incredible contributions.
posted by Shreya Ghosh
Tuesday 7/22/2025 at 7:42PM EDT
  • Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne (Image via Getty)
    Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne (Image via Getty)

    Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. Heavy metal fanatics are mourning the tragic loss and expressing their grief on social media. 

    T-Pain also honored Osbourne, sharing a glimpse of the legend lauding him for performing the best cover of War Pigs. He remembered the royalty in heavy metal by sharing a clip of himself performing a powerful cover of War Pigs. Adding to the moment, he highlighted Ozzy Osbourne’s appreciative remark:

    "This is the best cover of 'War Pigs' ever. Why didn't you guys call me?"

    Expressing his gratitude for the praise and honoring the late singer, T-Pain shared an emotional note, adding,

    "Heartbroken by the news. I was blessed to be able to cover War Pigs and get your recognition. Ozzy Forever 🤘🏿"

    War Pigs stands as one of Black Sabbath's most iconic and politically charged anthems. According to American Songwriter, bassist Geezer Butler is credited with writing most of its powerful lyrics.

    A look at the true meaning behind Black Sabbath's War Pigs created by Ozzy Osbourne and the band

    Released on September 18, 1970, War Pigs remains a powerhouse even after more than five decades. From Ozzy Osbourne's electrifying vocals to Geezer Butler's thought-provoking lyrics, every element of the track still hits hard. 

    The band's masterful instrumentation and energetic presentation make it one of Black Sabbath's most unforgettable and enduring anthems. For millions, the track defines heavy metal. Alongside Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, and Tony Iommi also played a key role in crafting the intriguing lyrics of this historic track. War Pigs was truly a collaborative masterpiece.

    Here's a glimpse of an energetic performance of the band shared on X by Chris (@chriso433).

    While the heavy metal industry seems incomplete without War Pigs, the story behind its name and creation is vividly interesting. In a 2010 conversation with Noisecreep, Butler revealed that the track was previously named Walpurgis. However, the term slightly resonated with "sort of like Christmas for Satanists."

    The remarkable song opens as,

    "Generals gathered in their masses / Just like witches at black masses / Evil minds that plot destruction / Sorcerer of death's construction"

    Black Sabbath's bassist admitted to penning the opening lyrics as an analogy as he saw the war as "the big satan." According to American Songwriter, he tried drawing a chilling parallel between military and their troops and necromancers assembling in the shadows. To express his message out loud, Geezer also included the anecdote of "Evil minds that plot destruction" and "Sorcerer of death's construction."

    He used his piercing words to showcase a picture of the war and its destruction, with the song continuing as,

    "In the fields, the bodies burning / As the war machine keeps turning / Death and hatred to mankind / Poisoning their brainwashed minds"

    Reflecting on the decision to convert the track title to War Pigs, while speaking with Noisecreep, Geezer explained,

    "To me, war was the big Satan. It wasn't about politics or government or anything. It was evil. So I was saying 'generals gathered in the masses/just like witches at black masses' to make an analogy. But when we brought it to the record company, they thought 'Walpurgis' sounded too Satanic. And that's when we turned it into 'War Pigs.' But we didn't change the lyrics, because they were already finished."

    Produced by Rodger Bain, as Genius reported, the words used to craft War Pigs took a bold stand against the Vietnam War, cutting through the noise fiercely and echoing the unrest.

    With this incredible anti-war song, the band members strongly condemned the war and called out politicians and those accountable for orchestrating it. The song's bridge asks, "Why should they go out to fight?", turning the spotlight on how those who start wars rarely step onto the battlefield themselves. Instead, it is the poor who are sent to fight, while the powerful stay safely behind, treating soldiers "just like pawns in chess." Even today, the lyrics still ring true and expose the unsettling reality.

    Black Sabbath reunited for the final time

    Earlier this month, Ozzy Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath on July 5 for the Back to the Beginning farewell concert in Birmingham, central England, according to USA Today. Along with Bill Ward, Geezer Butler, and Tony Iommi, the stars set the stage on fire, unknowingly performing together for one last time.

    According to Billboard, the surviving members of Black Sabbath, Bill Ward, Geezer Butler, and Tony Iommi echoed the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne on social media. Drummer Bill honored Ozzy in a heartening Instagram tribute.

    Sharing a decades-old picture of the duo, he penned,

    "Where will I find you now?  In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever."

    Geezer bid adieu to his "dear friend," stating,

    "Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you."

    Tony shared memorable glimpses of the star singer and the band members and penned an emotional statement for losing his "dear dear friend." He expressed,

    "I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz."

    Black Sabbath fans honor Ozzy Osbourne with heartfelt tributes

    Fans worldwide are heartbroken to hear the demise of Ozzy Osbourne. From social media posts to showering flowers in his hometown, his long-time supporters and admirers are paying him tribute and reflecting on his magical compositions and enigmatic creations over the years of his illustrious career.

    Rock band Pearl Jam's lead guitarist, Mike McCready, remembered the icon and recalled the experience of listening to Black Sabbath for the very first time. Recounting those unforgettable memories and the power of Ozzy's vocals creating a magnificent experience, he penned in a heartfelt post on X,

    "Sad to hear Ozzy died today. When I was in high school I discovered Sabbath. “War Pigs” was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time. It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape."

    The Pearl Jam founding member also remembered the first memory of falling in love with the Blizzard of Ozz album, noting,

    "Then when The 'Blizzard of Ozz' record came out I was instantly a fan. Randy Rhoads was an influence on me to play lead guitar. Luckily I got to play on the song “Immortal” on the last record. Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better."

    A huge crowd of fans gathered near the Black Sabbath landmark by New Street station with flower bouquets and emotional notes to honor their hometown icon, Ozzy Osbourne. Pictures and videos of the steady stream of admirers taking a moment to reflect on his impact and express their affection have been making rounds on social media platforms.

    Follow Primetimer for more such updates. 

    TOPICS: War Pigs