The Prince of Darkness is also the Godfather of Heavy Metal.
Welcome to WatchMojo.com
and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 Ozzy Osbourne songs.
One of the first things fans heard from Ozzy after Black Sabbath
was the inaugural track off his solo debut.
Beginniing with a fiery intro by Randy Rhoads,
who single-handdly revitalized Ozzy's career and brought it to greater heights,
the song proves the Prince of Darness is not trying to be a role model
but that he is out to redeem himself.
This tune was all we needed to know Ozzy was back,
and Randy cemented things with his solo.
Planning to hang up his bat horns once and for all,
Ozzy embarked upon the No More Tours tour.
It was in that state of mind that he penned "Mama, I'm Coming Home"
with guitarist Zakk Wylde and Motorhead's Lemmy
as a tribute to his wife and manager Sharon.
While he obviously never stopped touring,
this song became a successful power ballad showcasing Ozzy's softer side.
Beginning with an organ solo and then moving onto Ozzy's tales of Aleister Crowley,
"Mr. Crowley" sets the stage for one of Randy Rhoads's most impressive axe displays ever.
His successive guitar solos become even more impressive
one after the other
until the song finally rides out with some of the talented guitarist's best riffing.
Not only was Ozzy unashamed of his substance abuse,
he often put the topic front and center in his music,
casting it in a positive light.
Though he's denied this concerning the epic "Flying High Again,"
Ozzy still introduced it in concert by telling fans to "keep on smoking those joints!"
Either way, our substances of choice are Rhoads' guitars
and Ozzy's lyrics.
But really, do you doubt he's high when he's singing the opening line?
Following Rhoads' death, Jake E. Lee contributed guitar work to two Ozzy records.
While The Ultimate Sin features fan favorite "Shot in the Dark,"
Bark at the Moon's title cut has Ozzy singing about a resurrected beast out for vengeance.
Nothing Lee could have done would have made fans forget Randy,
But Bark at the Moon shines thanks to its outro solo which showcases Lee's talents,
particularly on the live versions.
Written by bassist Bob Daisley about Ozzy's battles with the bottle,
"Suicide Solution" had the Prince of Darkness claiming it was actually about AC/DC's Bon Scott.
And the song made headlines when Osbourne was sued
by the parents of a teen who took his own life.
While the track's lyrics could be interpreted as incitement to take up drinking,
the truth is more nuanced.
Beginning with a bassline that transitions to a soaring melodic riff,
Ozzy's longest solo song clocks in at over 7 minutes.
Zak Wylde produced a wide array of excellent tunes,
including "Breakin' All the Rules"
and "Mr. Tinkertrain,"
but it's the title track to Ozzy's 1991 album that displays his heavier side.
Witness the piano-themed middle section that'd make the Beatles proud,
then follow as it segways to the solo and one of Wylde's finer moments.
Want proof that Randy Rhoads was classically trained?
Look no further than the eponymous closing track of Ozzy's second solo album,
its magical opening is mirrored in acoustic and electric versions,
or its intense buildup,
and electrifying solo
are all punctuated by Ozzy's haunting lyrics.
It's undoubtedly Rhoads and Osbourne's most impressive musical collaboration.
Accentuated by Rhoads' guitars,
drummer Lee Kerslake kicks off Ozzy's second album with a deafening drum intro.
After impressing us with the late guitarist's soloing skills,
"Over the Mountain' solidifies its power with the outro riff.
In short, the track sets the stage for what many consider
to be Ozzy's greatest album ever.
Containing what's arguably one of heavy metal's most memorable riffs,
"Crazy Train" is both Ozzy Osbourne's and Randy Rhoads' signature song.
The lyrics provide a glimpse into Ozzy's state of mind,
while Randy's solo is unparalleled.
As a concert staple of the Prince of Darkness,
the song isn't just the greatest Ozzy track of all time,
it's also among the greatest in heavy metal - period.
Do you agree with our list?
What's your favorite Ozzy Osbourne track?
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