A 'HW' Tribute to the one and only OZZY. 1948 - 2025.

The day has come: the metal music world has lost another legend, one of its few remaining icons worthy of the title of "god".

Ozzy Osbourne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2020, has passed away at the age of 76 at his home in Birmingham, England on July 22, 2025.

The exact cause of death is not yet known, but there's a strong chance that the degenerative illness was responsible.

The pioneering frontman was beloved the world over, just not by the metal community. Ozzy had become a household name in his own right well before his death, thanks in large part to the 2000's TV show The Osbournes, which centered around Ozzy's family and their oft-dramatic misadventures.

I'm just a simple Montana woman who grew up with the sounds of BLACK SABBATH, OZZY, LED ZEPPELIN, and other classic rock and metal greats constantly filling up my childhood living room, and I certainly wouldn't be here writing this today if it weren't for what the "Ozz-Man" brought to the table.

My parents taught me to headbang along to footage of Ozzy when I was a toddler, and I've been throwing the "horns" up for about the same length of time.

Ozzy not only inspired me with his music, but on TV and in interviews, too; with his good nature and innate charm, he delivered plenty of heartfelt moments and laughs.

I'd like to include some of my favorite Ozzy/Sabbath songs, memes, moments, and more here, in no particular order.

Here's a compilation of classic Ozzy moments from Loudwire:

My personal favorite funny Ozzy moment:

Grunge made a nice tribute video about Ozzy:

A YouTuber I watch sometimes, SLOAN, did an interesting (albeit... not very complimentary....lol) video about Ozzy's most notorious moments too:

1. "I Don't Wanna Stop" (OZZY)

This one is a hard-hitting party anthem for sure, and beautifully encapsulates Ozzy's larger-than-life persona.

I like to narrowly avoid speeding tickets while listening to this track.

2. A live version of "Mr. Crowley" (OZZY)

   
   

Featuring the late great Randy Rhoads on guitar, this song came to us from Ozzy's first solo album after getting ("temporarily") fired from BLACK SABBATH in '79. For the studio version, click here.

3. A live version of "Perry Mason" (OZZY) from OzzFest '96

   
   

I love the TV show the song is named after, and the pacing and drama of this song are just fun to sing to, or play along to if you're instrumentally inclined! Click here for studio version and official video.

4. "I Just Want You" (OZZY)

This one's a bit of a tearjerker, alright. The song, the video... the memories attached to it... definitely hits me in the feels every time.

I'm not crying, you're crying!

(I'm definitely guilty of sending this song to an unworthy ex or two.)

5. "Mother Earth (Revelation)" (OZZY)

   
   

This one's a bit of a slow-burning song, but it creeps on you kind of like the movie Watership Down does (with those cute rabbits and their messed up ways!), and what starts off as a mellow-sounding, let's-go-frolic-in-the-meadow type tune gets rather eerie rather fast.

Again, we are treated to Rhoads on guitar.

The song is about how humans are fucking up the planet, basically, and time is running out. It's a heavy one.

6. "Goodbye to Romance" (OZZY)

The title of this one speaks for itself!

One the one hand, it's a great song for when you're having one of those "fuck you guys, I'm gonna go live in a cave!" kind of days.

Yet, surprisingly, it's full of hope and whimsy only Ozzy could have imbued in us: "And the weather's looking fine - and I think the sun will shine again".

Not all is lost!

7. "Steal Away (The Night)" (OZZY)

This one's just an all-around good time.

"Broken chains and broken rules, let it be rebellion rules tonight!"

As Ozzy would say, "YEAH!"

8. "See You On the Other Side" (OZZY)

Another one that stirs the emotions and senses and tackles the topics of time and death, "See You On the Other Side" is one I often avoid unless I'm alone and ready to face a wave.

9. "You Lookin at Me Lookin at You" (OZZY)

   
   

While not exactly a love song or a ballad, this is still a fun one to yell-sing at your significant other.

"I had a dream / that we were through / I can't imagine / life without you / YEAH!"

"Pleeeeeease taaaaaalk to meeeeee!"

...Or are you "normal"?

10. "Children of the Grave" (BLACK SABBATH)

    
    

Another one about how humans are a blight on the earth, "Children of the Grave" is hauntingly fucking good and rocks your face off.

I really love the drums in the song in particular.

11. "Black Sabbath" (BLACK SABBATH)

Ozzy provides the vocals on the sinister title track of Sabbath's first album, and it's an unforgettable experience that helped put the band on the map.

Watch the band perform it here.

12. "The Wizard" (BLACK SABBATH)

This used to be a great song for smoke sessions and parties in particular during my youth. It's kind of a classic because it just has that sort of a vibe to it. It's kinda goofy in its ambling way, but I love it.

13. "Changes" (BLACK SABBATH)

Some people mock the lyrics of this one, usually for just plain silly reasons, but it's still a poignant song and it'll always be one of my favorites by Sabbath.

It's been covered a few times, too - this time by Charles Bradley, who dedicates his cover to his mother's memory.

And here's a nice cover by internet funny guy and huge metalhead Anthony Vincent.

14. "Never Say Die" (BLACK SABBATH)

    
    

Another evergreen feel-good anthem from Sabbath, "Never Say Die" rounds out my list because Ozzy's legacy will live on in our hearts and minds forever.