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Ozzy Osbourne’s 5 greatest solo singles (you’ll never guess #1)

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To start off, let me make a confession: Though I was around when Black Sabbath first appeared in 1970, it wasn’t until later that I truly discovered them. By the time I found them, many of their early albums had already been hailed as classics by some rock critics, while others considered them trash.

It wasn’t until 1980 that I became familiar with the original lead singer and most recognized figure of the band, Ozzy Osbourne. That year, if I was into metal music, my options were either Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades” or Ozzy’s debut album, “Blizzard of Ozz”.

Osbourne, who sadly passed away at 76 on Tuesday, produced a total of 13 studio albums from his debut to this year’s Patient Number 9. Except for the misguided compilation album of covers, Under Cover released in 2005, none of them failed to rank lower than 21st position on the US charts and 24th in the UK. Remarkably, eight of these albums reached the top ten on the Billboard charts.

Apart from his sporadic collaborations with Sabbath, Ozzy also worked on separate projects last year. Notably, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the second time, making him the 27th artist to be honored in this way – once as a solo act and once as part of Black Sabbath. Considering the Hall’s apparent bias against metal bands, this is an impressive feat.

What are Ozzy Osbourne’s greatest solo tracks?

Some enthusiastic fans believe that Ozzy’s most outstanding solo songs were released in his initial two albums – “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of a Madman”. I almost fall into this category. Without a doubt, “Diary” is one of the best heavy metal albums ever produced, but it’s unclear to what extent Ozzy himself contributed versus his band members in creating that masterpiece. This point remains a topic of discussion among fans.

Undeniably, Randy Rhoads proved to be one of Ozzy Osbourne’s most exceptional collaborators as a guitarist. Moreover, Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake not only provided an exceptional rhythm section but also some of the finest metal composers that Ozzy would ever team up with in his musical journey.

Sadly, Rhoads met an untimely end following the release of ‘Madman’. Unfortunately, Daisley and Kerslake experienced a disagreement with the Osbournes, but let’s focus on the music instead. We can delve into that story another time if you’re interested. Today, we celebrate the tunes.

Honorable Mentions

1. “Locomotive of Madness” (Blizzard of Ozz)
2. “Journal of a Lunatic” (Diary of a Madman)
3. “Howl at the Night” or “Wolf of Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Bark at the Moon)
4. “Rebel of Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Bark at the Moon)
5. “Inked Dance of Chaos” (No Rest for the Wicked)
6. “Meet You Beyond” or “See You on the Far Side” (Ozzmosis)
7. “Nothing Seems Right” (Patient Number 9)

Ozzy Osbourne’s top 5 solo tracks, ranked

5. “ Flying High Again” (Diary of a Madman)

Regardless of whether it’s due to Ozzy’s newly found creative independence as a solo artist or his affinity for pharmaceuticals, as some suggest, this tune is a more subdued, blues-inspired romp that showcases Randy Rhoads at his best in terms of guitar shredding.

My father believes I’m idle, yet he doesn’t grasp the complexities of my mind – People often misunderstand me as eccentric, but I’m highly sought-after. Unfortunately, they rarely pay attention to what I have to say.”

This version maintains the original sentiment while using a more formal and clear language structure. It also addresses the issue of being misunderstood, which was implicit in the original lyrics.

4. “I Don’t Want to Change the World” (No More Tears)

Written collaboratively by Motorhead’s Lemmy Kilmister, this song showcases the wandering guitar skills of Zakk Wylde. In the freshly established Metal Performance category at the Grammys, Ozzy Osbourne won for “I Don’t Want to Change the World.” He would go on to win the same award 29 years later.

If you think I’m a sinner, let me make it clear that I had a conversation with God this morning, and he doesn’t seem to appreciate you. Furthermore, I won’t tolerate your attempts to impose the concept of original sin on me. And please, don’t feel sorry for me because of my current situation.

3. “Mr. Crowley” (Blizzard of Ozz)

The ominous gothic introduction foreshadows a terrifying dreamscape. This melody was skillfully executed on the keyboard by Don Airey, leaving some listeners momentarily puzzled about the missing screeching guitar. However, after two minutes, their questions were answered as Rhoads delved into one of his grand solos. He continued with intricate fills and additional solos, both melodious and powerful. The harmony between Ozzy’s voice and Rhoads’ guitar was unprecedented, though Ozzy did deviate slightly from the correct pronunciation of Aleister Crowley’s name as Crowley himself would have said it.

As a fellow gamer, I find your life intriguing – filled with excitement and mystery. You’ve managed to deceive everyone with your magical prowess, and it seems like you even held a phone conversation with someone of supernatural origin, Satan, if the rumors are true.

2. “I Don’t Know” (Blizzard of Ozz)

On his debut solo album, Ozzy Osbourne introduced himself by building upon the foundation of Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” and venturing towards a sound similar to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” Randy Rhoads showcased his guitar as an influential element in Ozzy’s new style, while Ozzy made it clear to his fans that he should not be regarded as a messiah figure.

People often ask me questions like – When will it all end? What’s going to happen in the future for humanity? – I can’t predict the answer, as I don’t have that information.

1. “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll” (Diary of a Madman)

Initially, when I started making my playlist, I quickly noted around thirty tunes that popped into my head right away. “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll” was among them initially, but it didn’t stand out much to me at first. After listening to the songs I had listed, it became my favorite. It might be because the news of Ozzy’s demise was still resonating in my mind.

The enduring influence of music, especially poignant in times like these, resonates strongly, much like fans’ connection to the song following Randy Rhoads’ death shortly after its release. However, it’s not just about timing; Ozzy’s unique blend of classical elegance with raw power rock is unparalleled. His statement, though seemingly straightforward, carries a deep and profound meaning.

I prefer solitude now, I no longer need your assurances. Rock ‘n’ roll has become my faith and my rule of life, something I won’t abandon. Though you might find it peculiar, know that rock ‘n’ roll is resilient and eternal – it persists through time.

He’s right. Ozzy may be gone. His music remains.  

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2025-07-23 17:00

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