12 of the greatest Ozzy Osbourne solo songs
We celebrate the metal legend's 72nd birthday
Last updated 6th Aug 2021
With Ozzy Osbourne turning the tender age of 72 today (3rd December), it’s timely that we consider what are some of the best songs from his illustrious solo career.
After much debate, late nights and little sleep, these are the tracks that have made our countdown:
Mr Crowley (1980):
Ozzy’s ode to English occultist Aleister Crowley picks up where he left off with Black Sabbath but this is hardly a number that praises the self-styled Great Beast’s life and actions. Bringing the whole thing to life are two stunning solos from the magic fingers of Randy Rhodes, which make you realise how much he’s still missed.
Crazy Train (1980):
For all of his image as the Prince of Darkness, there’s always been a call for unity in Ozzy Osbourne’s music. Even as far back as Black Sabbath, there was an us-vs-them mentality that decried the divide and conquer policies of our overlords. ‘Crazy Train’ is no different, and propelled by one of Randy Rhodes’ best riffs, this really is in the top tier of Ozzy’s finest moments
No More Tears (1991):
The title track from Ozzy Osbourne’s sixth studio album is an enduring favourite and it’s not difficult to see why. Bob Daisley’s bass intro marks the song down as something not only different from what fans might have expected but also as a special moment in Ozzy’s canon. Zakk Wylde sounds absolutely massive throughout, to create a real pinnacle.
I Don’t Wanna Stop (2007):
As late period Ozzy Osbourne goes, ‘I Don’t Wanna Stop’ is up there with the best of them. Zakk Wylde is on incredible riffing form and Faith No More’s Mike Bordin hammers those drums within an inch of their life. It’d be great to see this track revived for one last time.
Watch: Zakk Wylde's exclusive Planet Rock session in Jimi Hendrix's flat
Suicide Solution (1980):
One of the most controversial and misunderstood songs in Ozzy Osbourne’s back catalogue, this is cautionary tale of what happens when alcohol becomes a controlling factor in one’s life. Ozzy once claimed that it was written with Bon Scott in mind though the truth is probably closer to home.
Dreamer (2001):
It’s not too much of stretch to view ‘Dreamer’, the third track on Ozzy’s eighth studio album, ‘Down To Earth’, as heavy metal’s answer to John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’. The ballad is also noteworthy for the low-end contribution of Robert Trujillo, made before his departure for Metallica.
Shot in the Dark (1986):
Featuring the last appearance of guitarist Jake E. Lee, this closing track from 1986’s ‘The Ultimate Sin’ had a disputed inception with bassist Phil Soussan, who only lasted for this album, plus Steve and Chris Overland of FM all allegedly involved (to various disputed degrees). It remains a firm favourite and made regular appearances during Ozzy’s recent US tour. The chances are it’ll do the same here.
Feature: The greatest Black Sabbath albums, ranked
Let Me Hear You Scream (2010):
Taken from Ozzy’s last studio album, 2010’s ‘Scream’, this crunching rocker contains all the best bits of the Prince Of Darkness’ lengthy career and compresses them into a late period diamond. A total and utter gem, this shines as brightly and delivers hard.
Bark At The Moon (1983):
The first single to be lifted from Ozzy Osbourne’s third album, ‘Bark At The Moon’ is so well regarded that it opened his set at the Download Festival as well as his tour throughout 2018.
I Don’t Know (1980):
The song that ushered in Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career, it’s probably the first one that many of his long-term fans heard when he finally came back from his ignominious departure from Black Sabbath. A statement of intent, it also introduced us to the incredible yet tragically short-lived talent that was Randy Rhodes. Slap this on and fall in love with it all over again.
Under The Graveyard (2019):
The first taster of his 12th studio album ‘Ordinary Man’, ‘Under The Graveyard’ saw Ozzy face his own mortality head on. Beginning as a rock ballad, Ozzy sings intensely personal lines that nod to his serious fall and subsequent recovery period: “Today I woke up and I hate myself / Death doesn't answer when I cry for help / No high could save me from the depths of Hell / I'll drown my mind until I'm someone else.” A poignant yet powerful gem from Ozzy.
Over The Mountain (1981):
An irrefutable Ozzy Osbourne classic, 'Over The Mountain' oozes brilliance from the moment the late-great Lee Kerslake's drums kick in. The perfect opener to Ozzy's second studio album 'Diary of a Madman' and an Ozzy, Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake songwriting tour-de-force.
The real names of famous rock stars:
Cozy Powell’s real name: Colin Trevor Flooks
Alex Lifeson’s real name: Alexandar Živojinović
'Lifeson' is a semi-literal English translation of the Yugoslavian surname Živojinović, which means 'son of life'
Ginger Baker's real name: Peter Edward Baker
John 5’s real name: John William Lowery
Yngwie Malmsteen’s real name: Lars Johann Yngwie Lannerback
Rudy Sarzo’s real name: Rodolfo Maximiliano Sarzo Lavieille Grande Ruiz Payret y Chaumont
Eric Carr's real name: Paul Charles Caravello
Vinnie Vincent’s real name: Vincent John Cusano
Tina Turner’s real name: Anna Mae Bullock
King Diamond’s real name: Kim Bendix Petersen
Joey Tempest's real name: Rolf Magnus Joakim Larsson
Michael Monroe’s real name: Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm
Mikkey Dee’s real name: Micael Kiriakos Delaoglou
Jonathan Cain’s real name: Jonathan Leonard Friga
Nikki Sixx's real name: Frank Ferrano
Steven Adler’s real name: Michael Coletti
Axl Rose's real name: William Bruce Rose
Bon Scott's real name: Ronald Belford Scott
Fish’s real name: Derek William Dick
Eddie Vedder's real name: Edward Louis Severson III
Peter Criss’ real name: George Peter John Criscuola
Freddie Mercury's real name: Farrokh Bulsara
Flea's real name: Michael Peter Balzary
Perry Farrell's real name: Perry Bernstein
Geddy Lee’s real name: Gary Lee Weinrib
Mick Mars' real name: Robert Deal
Tré Cool's real name: Frank Edwin Wright III
Courtney Love's real name: Courtney Michelle Harrison
Pat Smear's real name: Georg Albert Ruthenberg
Gene Simmons' real name: Chaim Klein Witz
Spike’s real name: Jonathan Gray
Iggy Pop's real name: James Newell Osterberg, JR.
Alice Cooper's real name: Vincent Damon Furnier
Slash's real name: Saul Hudson
Mike Dirnt's real name: Michael Ryan Pritchard
Ronnie James Dio's real name: Ronald James Padavona
Brody Dalle's real name: Bree Joanna Alice Robinson
Skin's real name: Deborah Anne Dyer
Nicky Wire's real name: Nicholas Jones
Amy Lee's real name: Amy Lynn Hartzler
Bill Wyman's real name: William Perks
Izzy Stradlin's real name: Jeffrey Isbell
Paul Stanley's real name: Stanley Eisen
Vince Neil's real name: Vincent Neil Wharton
Duff McKagan's real name: Michael McKagan
Jack Black’s real name: Thomas Jacob Black
Lemmy's real name: Ian Fraser Kilmister
John Paul Jones' real name: John Baldwin
Joan Jett's real name: Joan Larkin
Eric Clapton's real name: Eric Patrick Clapp
Siouxsie Sioux's real name: Susan Janet Ballion
Rachel Bolan’s real name: James Richard Southworth
David Bowie's real name: David Robert Hayward Stenton Jones
Little Richard's real name: Richard Wayne Penniman
Sid Vicious' real name: John Simon Ritchie
Ace Frehley's real name: Paul Daniel Frehley
Lou Reed's real name: Louis Firbank
Joe Strummer's real name: John Graham Mellor
Marc Bolan's real name: Mark Feld
The Edge's real name: David Howell Evans
Meat Loaf's real name: Marvin Lee Aday
Steven Tyler's real name: Steven Victor Tallarico
Ozzy Osbourne's real name: John Michael Osbourne
Jon Bon Jovi's real name: John Francis Bongiovi
Joey Belladonna’s real name: Joseph Bellardini
Jack White's real name: John Anthony Gillis
Bono's real name: Paul David Hewson
Sting's real name: Gordon Sumner
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Pat Benatar’s real name: Patricia Mae Giraldo
Bo Diddley’s real name: Ellas McDaniel
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Zakk Wylde’s real name: Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt
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Biff Byford's real name: Peter Rodney Byford
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