It’s hard to get past the mayhem surrounding Ozzy Osbourne. His name will always prompt instant pictures of beheaded bats and other on-stage antics (and that’s without even mentioning what went on off stage…)Osbourne was emblematic of an era when rock stars were untouchable idols who did as they pleased, when and how they wanted. He embodied the very spirit of rock n’ roll in its original definition. However, that’s not Osbourne’s entire story. Hidden in his discography are softer songs that reveal a whole different side of the iconic rocker. Find three deep cuts (relatively speaking) below that prove Osbourne was more than just the mayhem that surrounded him.
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“Road to Nowhere”
You’re not going to find too many songs in Osbourne’s catalog that can genuinely be described as a “soft” song. His instrumentation always lent itself to the harder edge of rock. However, deep cuts like “Road to Nowhere” feel markedly less harsh than many of Osbourne’s more well-known material.
The wreckage of my past keeps haunting me / It just won’t leave me alone / I still find it all a mystery / Could it be a dream? / The road to nowhere leads to me, Osbourne sang in this song, getting candid about his regrets. It’s no secret that Osbourne lived life in the fast lane. “Road to Nowhere” sees him come to terms with the repercussions.
“Revelation (Mother Earth)”
Those that don’t know Osbourne well wouldn’t immediately peg him as an activist. He didn’t venture into that realm much in his songwriting, but when he did, he packed an extra punch. Take “Revelation (Mother Earth)” for example. Osbourne advocates for environmentalism in this deep cut, albeit with an off-kilter edge that only he could deliver. Mother please forgive them / For they know not what they do, he sang in this unsettling, yet effective ballad.
“Tonight”
Osbourne’s “Tonight” is a song that seems better suited to fit a soft rock artist than a metal musician. It’s nearly pop-tinged with its singable melody and simple chords. It’s certainly a far cry from “Crazy Train,” that’s for sure.
Like “Road to Nowhere,” Osbourne is reckoning with his past in this deep cut. He wanders the streets reminiscing, trying to find a path forward. The emotion in this track is palpable. It’s no wonder he opted for a different sonic direction for this song. It sounds like a man who’s all out of tricks and is ready to tell it how it is–no antics required.
(Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)
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