5 Black Sabbath Songs That Are Just Plain Forgettable

Black Sabbath helped define heavy metal in the early 1970s. Their dark riffs and slow, heavy sound influenced bands for decades. But even the most important groups have songs that don’t leave much of a mark. Not every track they recorded stood the test of time. Some songs lack strong riffs, clear structure, or interesting lyrics. Others feel like filler on albums filled with better material. These tracks don’t get much attention from fans, and rarely appear on live setlists or greatest hits collections. Here are five Black Sabbath songs that often get skipped or ignored.

“Am I Going Insane (Radio)”

This song appeared on the Sabotage album in 1975. Despite the title including “(Radio),” it wasn’t a radio hit. The track has a lighter tone compared to most of the album, with a fast rhythm and keyboard parts that feel out of place for the band’s usual sound.

Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals sound strained at times, and the song includes a background scream that many found distracting. The lyrics repeat the title line without much depth, and the overall structure feels rushed. It doesn’t carry the same weight as other tracks on the record, and fans often overlook it.

“FX”

“FX” is a short instrumental from the 1972 album Vol. 4. It’s not really a song but more of a sound experiment. It features echo effects and guitar noise, without any real melody or rhythm. Tony Iommi created it using random tones and feedback in the studio.

Even die-hard fans rarely mention this track. It doesn’t add anything musically to the album and is often skipped. Some listeners think it breaks the flow between songs. It’s more of a studio trick than a piece of music, and it doesn’t reflect the strengths of the band’s usual work.

“Digital Bitch”

This song was part of Born Again (1983), the only Black Sabbath album with Ian Gillan on vocals. The lyrics aim to criticize a rich woman, but they come across as clumsy and forced. The melody is simple, and the structure feels more like a hard rock song than heavy metal.

Gillan’s singing doesn’t match the music well, and the production is muddy. Fans and critics both gave the song mixed reviews. It lacks the power and mood found in the band’s earlier material. Even though the album has some highlights, “Digital Bitch” isn’t one of them.

“Air Dance”

Released on Never Say Die! in 1978, “Air Dance” blends piano, soft guitar, and jazz-like rhythms. It was an attempt to explore new musical styles, but it doesn’t sound like Black Sabbath. The tone is light, and Ozzy’s vocals don’t really fit with the smooth background.

The track shifts halfway through into a more energetic section, but the change feels awkward. Many fans were confused by the style and didn’t know what to make of it. It’s one of the least remembered tracks on the album, and it rarely shows up in fan discussions or live performances.

“Walk Away”

“Walk Away” was released on Heaven and Hell in 1980, the first album with Ronnie James Dio as the singer. While most of the record is well-liked, this song stands out as one of the weaker ones. It has a basic rhythm and simple lyrics that don’t match the rest of the album’s energy.

The chorus feels flat, and Dio’s strong voice doesn’t have much to work with here. There’s no strong guitar riff, and the song ends without leaving a lasting impact. It doesn’t get much airplay and is often forgotten when fans talk about the album.