How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

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About

Genius Annotation

This is the song that Ronnie James Dio was most proud of to have ever written. It was definitely the most famous Dio-era song from Black Sabbath, being played at virtually every concert when Dio was with the band.

Dio has said that the lyrics are about which path we take. Whether it be the path to Heaven, or the path to Hell. He said this song was written for the religious people who force you to do things and make you think that everything is evil. This song is supposed to tell you to choose your own path, which makes you a good person.

In the liner notes to the 2003 compilation Stand Up And And Shout: The Anthology, Ronnie James Dio had this to say:

“You never write a song and say, “I’ve just written an epic,” because that’s not for you to judge–it’s for the people. All these years later, I listen to this song and say, “Yeah, they’re right, it’s a great song,” and Heaven And Hell (1980) was just one great album. it’s usually the first project you do with new musicians that turns out to be the best. Tony and I had some real magic going on in the studio on this one.”

In the liner notes to the 2010 Deluxe Edition reissue of Heaven And Hell, Ronnie James Dio had this to say:

“I always wanted to write a song called ‘Heaven And Hell’, and it expounds [on] my belief that the Earth can be a place for good and bad – how you live is up to you. […] The lyric is true: the world is full of kings and queens who’ll blind your eyes and steal your dreams. Life is full of inconsistency.”

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Black Sabbath say about "Heaven and Hell"?
Genius Answer

You never write a song and say, “I’ve just written an epic,” because that’s not for you to judge—it’s for the people. All these years later, I listen to this song and say, “Yeah, they’re right, it’s a great song,” and Heaven And Hell (1980) was just one great album. it’s usually the first project you do with new musicians that turns out to be the best. Tony and I had some real magic going on in the studio on this one.

I always wanted to write a song called “Heaven and Hell,” and it expounds [on] my belief that the Earth can be a place for good and bad—how you live is up to you. […] The lyric is true: the world is full of kings and queens who’ll blind your eyes and steal your dreams. Life is full of inconsistency.

—Ronnie James Dio

Are there any translations of this song?
Genius Answer

Yes, there is. Portuguese

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