Source: Graphic by Jarrett Huff / Radio One
On Tuesday, July 22, the world of rock ‘n’ roll and music lost a true icon in Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. The “Godfather of Heavy Metal” may be gone, but he left a major footprint on this Earth that is sure to remain long after anyone reading this today is gone.
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From his early days in Birmingham, England, pioneering an entirely new rock ‘n’ roll sound we know and love as “heavy metal,” to his solo career in the ’80s and ’90s when he perfected it. The Ozz train kept rolling well into the 2000s, releasing new records and giving the world everything he had.
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He gave the world one final performance on July 5, 2025 – where it all started – at home in Birmingham; “Back to the Beginning.” Dealing with an advanced condition of Parkinson’s that had taken his ability to stand and walk, Osbourne sat on a bat throne and gave 45,000 fans one last great performance, all for the benefit of others dealing with terminal illness, childhood illness and Parkinson’s.
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The world will not see another like Ozzy Osbourne, and in honor of the impact he had on music and the songs he left us with, I decided to rank 25 of his best songs – from Sabbath to solo – starting at No. 25 and ending with No.1. Here’s my ranking if Ozzy Osbourne’s 25 best songs:
1. 25. ‘Patient Number 9’ – ‘Patient Number 9’ (2022)
Featuring the amazing guitar play by the late Jeff Beck, Patient Number 9 is a fantastic track from the Price of Darkness’ final album of the same name. Its lyrics hit a little different now that the Ozz has passed, as in life for everyone, no one gets out alive.
2. 24. ‘I Don’t Wanna Stop’ – ‘Black Rain’ (2007)
Black Rain as a record was a bit of a disappointment, however, it gave us this dark head banger. Osbourne’s style blends perfectly with the sound of heavy metal music of the later 2000s.
3. 23. ‘God is Dead?’ – ’13’ (2013)
Despite no involvement from original drummer Bill Ward, God is Dead? was a return to form for Black Sabbath, with Osbourne and Geezer Butler back in the fold. It’s from the legendary metal band’s final studio album, 13.
4. 22. ‘Mr. Tinkertrain’ – ‘No More Tears’ (1991)
Mr. Tinkertrain is among several songs off No More Tears that gives the record credibility as one of the last great metal albums of the 20th Century.
5. 21. ‘Ordinary Man’ – ‘Ordinary Man’ (2020)
Ordinary Man is an introspective look at Osbourne’s life and career, with a tone that seems like the Ozz was aware he was dying, especially given his 2019 Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. This song also features the legendary Elton John. I promise you Ozzy, you were far from an ordinary man, thank you for everything you did for music.
6. 20. ‘Over the Mountain’ – ‘Diary of a Madman’ (1981)
From Osbourne’s second solo record, Over the Mountain is the first entry on this list to feature the legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads, who would tragically pass away in a plane crash the following year after Diary of a Madman was released.
7. 19. ‘Black Sabbath’ – ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)
Some say this was a song to launch heavy metal. Black Sabbath, by Black Sabbath, off of Black Sabbath, threw the classic rock era into an entirely different dimension.
8. 18. ‘Children of the Grave’ – ‘Master of Reality’ (1971)
Children of the Grave comes from Sabbath’s third album, Master of Reality. While the record had a lot to live up to in the wake of Paranoid, Children of the Grave is a track up for the job – keeping the band’s momentum going into the 1970s.
9. 17. ‘Degradation Rules’ – ‘Patient Number 9’ (2022)
Osbourne and fellow Black Sabbath cofounder Tony Iommi reunited on a couple tracks for Patient Number 9, but Degradation Rules is the clear standout on the record. The pair earned a Grammy for their efforts, their third together.
10. 16. ‘Supernaut’ – ‘Vol. 4’ (1972)
Supernaut is a vastly-underrated Sabbath track, driven forward by Iommi’s excellent guitar play and Osbourne’s pace-pushing vocals.
11. 15. ‘Flying High Again’ – ‘Diary of a Madman’ (1981)
Flying High Again is a song that exemplifies what it must’ve been like to be Ozzy Osbourne in the early 1980s, bolstered by the mind-blowing riffs of Rhoads. This classic Ozz track has stood the test of time, often receiving a lot of radio airplay to this day.
12. 14. ‘Shot in the Dark’ – ‘The Ultimate Sin’ (1986)
Shot in the Dark is a very noticeable shift toward the commercialized sound of 1980s hair metal, yet it doesn’t feel like Ozzy sold out. The track feels authentic to the Prince of Darkness, and shows that the Ozz can master many of metal’s sub genres.
13. 13. ‘I Don’t Know’ – ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ (1980)
14. 12. ‘The Wizard’ – ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)
The best song off of Black Sabbath’s debut, The Wizard fuses the blues with Sabbath’s iconic heavy metal sound.
15. 11. ‘Mr. Crowley’ – ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ (1980)
Mr. Crowley displays some of Rhoads’ best work, with an epic guitar solo midway through before Ozzy returns to the mic.
16. 10. ‘Hole in the Sky’ – ‘Sabotoge’ (1975)
Coming from the last great Osbourne-fronted Black Sabbath album of the 1970s, Hole in the Sky sees Ozzy’s vocals turned up to 10.
17. 9. ‘Bark at the Moon’ – ‘Bark at the Moon’ (1983)
Jake E. Lee had big shoes to fill in the wake of the late Rhoads, but the guitarist proved he was up to the task with Bark at the Moon. Ozzy’s lead single from the album of the same name is among the best metal songs of the early 1980s.
18. 8. ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ – ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ (1973)
Another often-overlooked Sabbath track, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath was a clear sign all four members of the band were still at the peak of their powers.
19. 7. ‘Symptom of the Universe’ – ‘Sabotage’ (1975)
This track is a Iommi masterclass on guitar work, and Ozzy’s demonic vocals pair perfectly with his guitarist’s heavier riffs. It’s a dark track that’s sure to leave your neck sore the next day.
20. 6. ‘No More Tears’ – ‘No More Tears’ (1991)
No More Tears sees Osbourne and guitarist Zakk Wylde share the spotlight back and forth, before coming together in unison on the bridge. Ozzy’s dark tone and Wylde’s heavy guitar play are a perfect pairing. Wylde’s solo coming out of John Sinclair‘s piano is among the best guitar solos of the late ’80s and early ’90s.
21. 5. ‘Mama, I’m Comiong Home’ – ‘No More Tears’ (1991)
In the wake of Ozzy’s passing, Mama, I’m Coming Home feels like a true “goodbye” to the Prince of Darkness. The emotional metal ballad is among the best work Ozzy ever recorded, 21 years after his studio record debut with Black Sabbath. The song was written for his wife, Sharon Osbourne, a dedication to her as she stayed with him during his crazier days.
22. 4. ‘Paranoid’ – ‘Paranoid’ (1971)
Arguably Black Sabbath’s most popular and iconic hit, Paranoid set the tone for heavy metal in its infancy, thanks to Butler’s break-neck strumming, Iommi’s iconic riffs and Osbourne’s vocal punches.
23. 3. ‘War Pigs / Luke’s Wall’ – ‘Paranoid’ (1971)
If Black Sabbath ever wrote an epic, look no further than War Pigs. The artistry this song presents was far ahead of its time.
24. 2. ‘Crazy Train’ – ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ (1980)
In my mind, Crazy Train IS Ozzy Osbourne. The biggest hit of his solo career seems to be the perfect song to sum up his life; a ride on a crazy train – and we loved every minute of it. Between Osbourne’s crazed vocals and Rhoads’ iconic riffing, the song has a message that is as relevant as ever: “Crazy, but that’s how it goes. Millions of people living as foes. Maybe it’s not too later, top learn how to love and forget how to hate.” It’s a wonder this wasn’t a bigger hit immediately upon release.
25. 1. ‘Iron Man’ – ‘Paranoid’ (1971)
In my opinion, Iron Man is Sabbath’s and Osbourne’s best work. Iommi’s iconic opening riff is a staple when it comes to learning how to play a guitar, as I can imagine every man, woman and child that’s pick up strings has tried it at least once – and I imagine that’ll be the case long after Ozzy is gone. It may be Iommi’s guitar that gets the most attention here, but this song couldn’t be possible without Ozzy’s lyrics that drive the song’s tone home.
Between the music of Sabbath and his solo work, Ozzy Osbourne is indisputably a god of rock ‘n’ roll. One of the most important and iconic figures in all of music – ever – the Prince of Darkness pioneered an entire genre of music, giving way to thousands of amazing songs and starting hundreds of successful careers. Thank you for the music, Ozzy.
