Top 10 Must-Hear Ozzy Osbourne Tracks
Ozzy Osbourne, known for his contributions to the heavy-metal genre as the frontman of Black Sabbath and a successful solo artist, passed away at the age of 76. Just before his death, he had given what he called his final performance in Birmingham, England. Osbourne sold millions of albums, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, and later gained fame as a reality TV star. Here are some of his essential songs in the order they were released:
Black Sabbath, ‘Paranoid’ (1970) A popular single that showcases the band's lighter side despite their heavy sound. The song narrates the story of a young man battling depression, set against a driving guitar riff by Tony Iommi.
Black Sabbath, ‘War Pigs’ (1970) An antiwar song that criticizes the architects of the Vietnam War through vivid imagery. Osbourne's vocals convey a strong sense of disgust.
Black Sabbath, ‘Iron Man’ (1970) A powerful yet empathetic song about a man who travels through time to save humanity but faces rejection upon his return. Osbourne's vocals capture the loneliness and rejection felt by the protagonist.
Black Sabbath, ‘Sweet Leaf’ (1971) A unique love song dedicated to marijuana, featuring a distinctive guitar lick that was later sampled by the Beastie Boys.
Black Sabbath, ‘Changes’ (1972) A poignant piano ballad where Osbourne delivers a touching vocal performance about heartbreak. The song stands out for its emotional depth and simplicity.
‘Crazy Train’ (1980) Osbourne's solo hit that reflects on the tensions of the Cold War era. The song, written in collaboration with guitarist Randy Rhoads, became a rock radio favorite.
‘Mr. Crowley’ (1980) A midtempo track exploring occult themes, following the success of "Crazy Train." The song showcases Osbourne's continued interest in darker subject matter.
‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’ (1991) A power ballad from the album "No More Tears," co-written by Osbourne with Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead. The song became a staple on MTV in the early '90s.
Post Malone featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott, ‘Take What You Want’ (2019) Osbourne's vocal cameo on this trap-metal track surprised many listeners. The collaboration with producer Andrew Watt led to successful solo albums in his later years.