Watch: Ozzy Osbourne looks back on his life in emotional 'Ordinary Man' video

Ozzy Osbourne has premiered the highly poignant video for his Elton John collaboration ‘Ordinary Man’.

Author: Scott ColothanPublished 10th Mar 2020
Last updated 6th Aug 2021

Directed by Los Angeles based filmmaker Stephen Lee Carr, with Sharon and Jack Osbourne on co-production duties, the affecting video sees a solitary and reflective Ozzy Osbourne watch footage of his life on a cinema screen.

Opening with a row of terraced houses in Ozzy’s native Birmingham, we then see various photos from Ozzy’s childhood and clips and images from his rise to stardom with Black Sabbath in the 1970s

The video goes on to cover all the highs and lows of Ozzy’s career, including his notorious debauchery, forging a solo career post-Black Sabbath, selling out stadia across the globe, marrying Sharon, starting a family, his quad bike accident in 2003, appearing on reality TV show The Osbournes, and reuniting with Sabbath.

Undoubtedly the most emotional moment comes when a photo of Ozzy and the late-great Randy Rhoads standing beside their tour bus flashes on the cinema screen. Visibly upset and fighting back tears, Ozzy puts his head into his hands.

In terms of themes and emotional impact, ‘Ordinary Man’ has many parallels to Johnny Cash’s ‘Hurt’ video from 2002.

Watch Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Ordinary Man’ here:

Featuring co-vocals and piano from Sir Elton John, plus Slash (guitars), Duff McKagan (bass) and Chad Smith (drums), ‘Ordinary Man’ is the title track for Ozzy’s twelfth studio album, which debuted at number three on the UK album chart last month.

‘Ordinary Man’, which was recorded while Ozzy was recovering from a serious fall last year, also boasts the anthems ‘Under the Graveyard’ and ‘Straight to Hell’.

Last week Ozzy Osbourne cancelled a scheduled appearance at South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas due to the ongoing threat of coronavirus.

On Saturday, South by Southwest (SXSW) was cancelled altogether by organisers for the first time in its 34-year history.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain last week, Ozzy Osbourne once again reiterated his wish to return to the live stageas soon as possible.

“My desire is to get back on stage,” Ozzy explained. “I’m not ready hang up my mic yet. That’s what I live for. To do shows.”

Ozzy’s No More Tours 2 with special guests Judas Priest is currently due to reconvene at Newcastle Utilita Arena on Friday 23rd October before taking in shows in Glasgow, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Dublin and Nottingham.