An Appreciation: "The Wizard," Black Sabbath

Let's be honest: "The Wizard" is one kick ass song. Heavy as hell, undeniable riff, potential tune for Harmonica Hero II. But it took me until recently to realize what the song really is: Gandalf's Pimp Strut. After overcoming one of the dumbest opening lines I've ever heard -- "Misty morning, clouds in the sky / Without warning, a Wizard walks by." (Bam -- Wizard! Let's just say that Ozzy Osbourne ain't exactly the master of mise-en-scene.) -- the band paints a picture of a good wizard who is a bad-ass. "Evil power disappears / Demons worry when the wizard is near / He turns tears into joy /Everyone's happy when the wizard walks by."The loping harmonica complements nicely as a pimp strut.

When discussing Ozzy, it can never be ruled out that he's really singing about drug use (which, admittedly, he probably is), but c'mon, isn't it more fun to imagine a pimped-out wizard, strutting down the street leaving a trail of stardust behind him?