Black Sabbath’s Biggest Hit Surges To New Highs On Multiple Billboard Charts

Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” reaches six new chart peaks in one week, and the classic also becomes the band’s first hit on Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart. Black Sabbath, 1970: Bill Ward, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler in , (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)

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This week in America, Black Sabbath has four songs on the Billboard charts. All of them appear on multiple tallies, and each one climbs to a new high point on at least one or two lists as consumption of everything connected to the late rocker surges, with listeners celebrating his life and legacy weeks after his death was announced.

“Paranoid” Leads Black Sabbath’s Chart Success

One tune, “Paranoid,” has stood out for decades as Black Sabbath’s most famous. This week, it not only appears on the most Billboard tallies, but also reaches never-before-seen peaks on more rankings than any of the group’s other singles in what has become a huge frame for the cut.

Six New Peaks for “Paranoid”

“Paranoid” lives on half a dozen Billboard charts this week, including some focused on consumption in the U.S., general listening around the world, and streaming activity. The Black Sabbath smash rises to a newly-established high on six charts at once. The tune also keeps at its all-time best placement of No. 5 on the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales ranking and debuts at No. 43 on the Streaming Songs tally, earning the band its first-ever appearance on that list.

Global Rankings Show “Paranoid” Surging Worldwide

Looking worldwide, “Paranoid” jumps to new highs on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. The track debuted just last week, and in its second frame, surges to No. 25 on the all-encompassing ranking and No. 32 on the list that excludes all sales and streaming numbers from American listeners.

“Paranoid” Breaks Into Top 10 on Multiple Rock Charts

Looking specifically at America, “Paranoid” jumps into the top 10 for the first time on both the Hot Rock Streaming Songs and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts. The Black Sabbath classic pushes from No. 12 to No. 8 on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs ranking — the general list of the biggest tunes in those styles in the country — and surges from No. 14 to No. 6 on the roster that focuses only on the most-streamed rock cuts. “Paranoid” also hits new highs on the Hot Rock Songs and Hard Rock Streaming Songs tallies, settling in at Nos. 7 and 3, respectively.

Digital Sales Slip as Streaming Drives Momentum

In just its second week on two purchase-only rosters, “Paranoid” declines as streaming is keeping the Black Sabbath favorite going. Last week, it debuted on the Digital Song Sales chart at No. 5 and on the Rock Digital Song Sales ranking in the same spot. This frame, it slips one space on the rock-only ranking and three spaces to No. 8 on the all-style list of the bestselling tunes throughout the country.

The Legacy of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid”

“Paranoid” was first released in 1970 as the title track from the band’s sophomore album, and it became the rocker’s breakthrough hit in the U.K. and U.S. More than 50 years later, the single’s reinvigorated chart success underscores its role in shaping the sound of heavy metal and its ability to connect with listeners across generations.