Black Sabbath Sees Several Songs Spike 1,000% In Sales

“Paranoid” and “Iron Man” soar over 1,000% in sales after Ozzy Osbourne’s death, helping Black Sabbath score four top 10 Digital Song Sales hits for the first time. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Musicians Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath appear at a press conference to announce their first new album in 33 years and a world tour in 2012 at the Whisky a Go Go on November 11, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Ozzy Osbourne’s passing prompted a major surge in consumption of his music, both from his solo catalog and from the time he was the frontman of Black Sabbath. Fans all around the world returned to the heavy metal legend’s discography, with sales and streaming activity spiking for several different songs and albums.

Among Osbourne’s most popular tracks right now are a handful of the group’s most iconic cuts – which have posted massive gains in the days since the rock icon’s death, showing just how missed he will be.

‘Paranoid’ And ‘Iron Man’ Surge In Sales

According to Luminate, “Paranoid” and “Iron Man” each saw their sales sums grow by more than 1,000% from one week to the next, with Osbourne’s death sending millions of people to sites like iTunes. “Paranoid” jumped from just under 500 purchases to nearly 5,500, while “Iron Man” rose from a little more than 400 to more than 4,800.

‘War Pigs’ And ‘Changes’ Also Climb

Two other Black Sabbath staples, “War Pigs / Luke’s Wall” and “Changes,” also post massive growth. Sales of “War Pigs” increased by 758%, while “Changes” climbed by just under 700%.

Black Sabbath’s First Four Top 10 Hits

Black Sabbath manages a historic showing on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart this frame, earning its first four placements on the list, which ranks the top-selling tracks throughout the United States. Amazingly, all four smashes open inside the top 10.

“Paranoid” leads the way at No. 5, with “Iron Man” following just behind at No. 6. “War Pigs” comes in at No. 7, and “Changes” lands at No. 8 – giving the legendary metal act a quartet of bestsellers in the wake of Osbourne’s passing.

Black Sabbath Dominates The Rock Digital Song Sales Chart

The band’s success extends beyond the all-genre rankings, and on the Rock Digital Song Sales chart, Black Sabbath fills four spaces inside the top 10 as well. That charge is led by “Paranoid” at No. 5, followed by “Iron Man” (No. 6), “War Pigs” (No. 7) and “Changes” (No. 8). The group’s performance is exactly the same from one sales roster to the next.

Strong Showings On The Hard Rock Charts

Black Sabbath also performs exceptionally well on Billboard’s hard rock-specific rankings, especially when looking at pure purchases. On the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales chart, the group scores three top 10s, with “Paranoid,” “Iron Man” and “War Pigs” hitting Nos. 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Of that bunch, “Paranoid” climbs to a never-before-seen peak.