Down to Earth

The eighth studio album that Ozzy Osbourne released back in 2001 titled “Down to Earth” has slowly become one of my favorite albums of all time, which is also just so happens to be nearing its twenty-fourth birthday on October 16th. I was never a major Ozzy fan because, while I do listen to a bit of Metallica and Type O Negative I’ve never been big on any sort of metal. The only two Ozzy Osbourne songs I knew were “Crazy Train” and “Shot in the Dark.” Since, I grew up believing everything Ozzy wasn’t it wasn’t till shortly before his passing that I started seeing everything he was. I read an article about his last show that mentioned “Mama, I’m Coming Home” from his sixth solo album titled “No More Tears” that was released in 1991 to thank for this. I remember going to listen to the song then, watching the video, and thinking how beautiful the lyrics were and how incredibly talented he was. I felt inspired to write about it and finding out he passed shortly after I decided to write a tribute around that song. I spent so much time researching his life, career, and his marriage to Sharon before the words all started suddenly forming together on their own in my head. When I wrote the tribute which, has gained more attention than I initially expected I was proud and in awe. It even made me tear up a bit. I think that is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever written which, is both thanks to the article I read and the song “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”

Since I heard that song I decided it was time to get more into Ozzy’s solo work along with his work as part of Black Sabbath, which is how I got into “Down to Earth” the album that has slowly made me an even bigger fan. That and watching various interviews along with reading the backstories behind some of the songs he wrote like “Dreamer” and “Gets Me Through” both of which are featured on “Down to Earth.” Both of these songs were also featured on Billboard's top 10 rock chart, as well as, being Ozzy’s first top 15 on the UK charts in more than 15 years. “Gets Me Through” ended up being named Metal Edge’s music video of the year in the magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards back in 2001. It is also an album that features quite a few notable musicians like Zakk Wylde on guitar, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, and Mike Bordin the drummer from the band “Faith No More.”

The song “Changes” he originally did as a part of Black Sabbath in 1972 featured on the band’s album titled “Vol. 4” then, later on as a duet with his daughter Kelly has become another favorite. That was a song that was inspired by Billy Ward the band’s drummer who had broken up with his first wife. If there’s anything I’ve learned is that you shouldn’t judge a person based upon their outward appearance or their album covers. While John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne may have been nicknamed “The Prince of Darkness” and wore black nail polish, had long dark hair, and wore all black he was a man who was so full of light. He was a different kind of person and a different kind of musician. He genuinely loved and appreciated his fans which, was the inspiration behind the song “Gets Me Through.” He was basically saying he’s not who people saw him as. He wasn’t the antichrist or Iron Man but, he loved all the love he got from fans and people who listened to his music. That’s what got him through and pushed him to keep performing. When he was on stage he was Ozzy Osbourne “The Prince of Darkness” but, off he was just John Michael Osbourne. Love is definitely what has kept him going all these years and made him leave the life of being an addict behind, as well as, what inspired him to want others to do the same. Each song on the album relates to his private life in some way with songs like “You Know… (Part 1)” being an apology to his son and daughter. The song “Running Out of Time” was sort of a mental recognition that no one lives forever. “Junkie” was a song that encouraged people to get clean. The song “Dreamer” was meant to be Ozzy’s version of John Lennon’s “Imagine" in it he talks about a better world for his children. It is a perfectly balanced album where he took heavier metal-like tracks and placed more mellow tracks beside them. It’s definitely an album you have to listen to from start to finish with no skips to fully get the story he’s telling, as well as, to fully grasp the beauty of it. I literally love this one just as much if not more than “No More Tears.” He really blew it out of the water with this one and each track lives up to the album’s title perfectly. The album itself is truly an inspiration.

I absolutely hate that it’s taken so long to learn and enjoy the Ozzy that’s been capturing hearts for over 50 years but, you’re never too late to be an Ozzy fan. I must also say that while watching clips after he performed his last show I remember thinking how brave and legendary he was. John Michael Osbourne has spent his entire life defying all odds and expectations. He’s definitely someone I would’ve loved to see perform live. He was so energetic and passionate. Even a broken foot wasn’t enough to keep Ozzy down. The man was absolutely unstoppable even up until his last breath because, even with as sick as he had become he decided that he couldn’t go out without doing one last show. He had to see his fans one last time and be on stage doing what he loved. It’s hard not to love and admire a guy like that and albums like these make that possible.