Sweet Leaf
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"Sweet Leaf" is a song by Black Sabbath from their album Master of Reality (1971). The song, an obvious hymn to recreational marijuana use, got its title for the song from a packet of cigarettes singer Ozzy Osbourne bought in Dublin that claimed the tobacco was "the sweet leaf"
The song begins with a tape loop of guitarist Tony Iommi coughing, a fact revealed in the Symptom of the Universe booklet. The lyrics of the song revolve around marjuana and are unsurprising as all four members were recreational marijuana smokers.
Other drug anthems by Black Sabbath include "Hand of Doom", "Fairies Wear Boots", "Supernaut" and "Snowblind".
Cultural impact
Due to its popularity, "Sweat Leaf" played a big part in making Black Sabbath one of the progenitors of modern stoner rock. The song also created some controversy, yet has been covered or re-used by many bands.
- Ugly Kid Joe's debut EP As Ugly as They Wanna Be features their version of the song.
- Norwegian black metal band Ancient covered the song as well.
- The song's main riff is played by the Red Hot Chili Peppers at the end of their own number "Give It Away".
- On country music artist Shooter Jenning's 2005 debut album Put the O Back in Country the song "Busted in Baylor County (Sweet Leaf version)" contains an exact replaying by the band of the main riff of "Sweet Leaf";
- The Butthole Surfers album Locust Abortion Technician contains a song called "Sweet Loaf" which also uses the main riff.
- Tea Leaf Green.. played live at the Filmore West, San Franciso.
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