7 most popular Ozzy Osbourne songs of all time

Ozzy Osbourne, the self-styled Prince of Darkness, has long been a towering figure in the world of heavy metal, from his ominous beginnings fronting Black Sabbath in the late ’60s to his scintillating solo career. Over the years, fans have asked you to tell them: what are the most popular and enduring songs in his vault?

We've crunched streaming stats, chart positions, fan polls, and all-time radio staples (including Spotify numbers and metal magazine rankings) to craft a list of Ozzy’s seven most iconic tracks. Along the way, we’ll weave in a few witty notes, some standout quotes, and essential insights into his death, his songs, and his final show. Let’s roll.

 

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Ozzy Osbourne's seven all‑time greatest tracks

1. Crazy Train

“Crazy Train” is perhaps Ozzy’s signature solo anthem. The opening riff is a classic, deemed one of the greatest guitar solos ever by Guitar World readers, and the song has amassed over half a billion Spotify streams, making it his most played solo track. A headbanger’s delight with Randy Rhoads’ flamboyant guitar work, it redefined him as more than just a Sabbath frontman.

2. Paranoid

Originally released with Black Sabbath, “Paranoid” is a compact blast of heavy metal that exploded into cultural legend. It ranks #34 on VH1’s 40 Greatest Metal Songs and was placed at #250 on Rolling Stone’s all-time list. Its relentless pace and infectious groove ingrained it into metal’s DNA.

3. Iron Man

Dark, apocalyptic, and unforgettable, “Iron Man” blends doom and myth with its sci-fi parable. Earning a Grammy for a live version, a spot in Rolling Stone’s top 500 songs, and being ranked the greatest metal song of all time by VH1, it’s arguably Sabbath’s, and Ozzy’s, tightest standalone statement.

4. War Pigs

"War Pigs" still packs a social punch. Metal’s anti-war anthem, hailed by Kerrang! as a top-five Black Sabbath song and dubbed “the greatest heavy metal song ever” by Guitar World, has maintained its status as a live staple and a fan favorite for over five decades.

5. Shot in the Dark

One of Ozzy’s most successful solo singles, this glam-metal smash from The Ultimate Sin became his first Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching No. 68. Radio powerhouses, MTV airplay, and earworm chorus lines solidified it as a fan favorite.

6. Flying High Again

Randy Rhoads’ soaring solo riffs define this 1981 rock anthem. It climbed to No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Tracks chart and remains a concert highlight—uplifting and nostalgic in equal measure.

7. Mama, I’m Coming Home

This gentle ballad from No More Tears reveals Ozzy’s softer side. It may not be the first track metalheads mention, but its honest lyrics and emotional delivery have turned it into a live favorite and one of his most-played solo songs.

 

Honorable mentions

Tracks like “Changes,” “No More Tears,” “Suicide Solution,” “Diary of a Madman,” and “Mr. Crowley” just missed our top seven. Yet each has its own die-hard following and keeps shining in Ozzy’s deeper catalog.

 

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Final bow and his death

On July 22, 2025, the music world lost a true icon. Ozzy Osbourne died at 76, mere weeks after his final show, a heartfelt reunion with Black Sabbath at Villa Park before 40,000 fans (and millions more watching worldwide). From legendary bat tales to epic riffs, his career was pure metal theater. Above all, his songs endure, reminding us that Ozzy didn’t just play music; he reshaped it.