The definitive solo Ozzy Osbourne playlist

The No More Tears album from 1991 cracked the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 200. The title track was the first single released from the album, though it did not chart nearly as well (No. 71) as the overall album. It's one of Ozzy's made-for-MTV, mainstream metal tracks, and also among the longest in his catalog, clocking in at 7 minutes, 23 seconds -- on the album version. The radio/video take is a little more than 5 1/2-minutes long. 

The shelf life of this track from No More Tears is rather interesting. To the casual Ozzy fan, it's probably not on many radars. It was never released as an official single in the United States but has been somewhat of an underrated gem within his musical arsenal. In 1993, he released Live & Loud, and the concert version of this tune ended up winning a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

Thanks to the stellar guitar work of Zakk Wylde, Ozzy Osbourne's power ballads from the 1990s stood out among the waning remnants of the glam/hair metal movement that was being overtaken by grunge and other alternative fares. Co-written by Motörhead legend Lemmy Kilmister, "Mama, I'm Coming Home," from No More Tears, is one of Ozzy's most recognizable tunes, and his only solo song to crack the top 40 of the Hot 100 (reaching No. 28).

Another power ballad from No More Tears. "Time After Time" was never officially released as a single and didn't earn the same acclaim as "Mama, I'm Coming Home." Yet, it should be celebrated as one of Ozzy's best melodic efforts. Again, much of the reason is Zakk Wylde, who co-wrote the track with Osbourne, and underlays the song with some of his better ballad guitar work. A true highlight of the piece.

The first song off of 1995's Ozzmosis album (No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 200), "Perry Mason" is one of Osbourne's most recognizable tunes from the 1990s. Younger fans at the time of the release probably had no idea about the story of the famed fictional lawyer. Still, the subject of this driving metal track needs help, and there's likely nobody better than Mason, at least in Ozzy's unique mind, to save the day. 

By the time his fourth studio album was released in the winter of 1986, Osbourne was once again a prominent force in the heavy metal world -- this time as a solo artist. This title cut to that album was pure Ozzy but with new drummer Randy Castillo in the mix. This would also be the last of two albums guitarist Jake E. Lee was featured. Lee and longtime Ozzy collaborator and bassist Bob Daisley co-wrote this mainstream metal classic. 

Ozzy's second studio album from 1981 was a strong sophomore effort. Diary of a Madman features some of Osbourne's best songs and proved that he was going to be a force from a solo standpoint. The title track and album closer was not released as a single but remains a favorite among Osbourne's die-hard fans. There's a certain British-Wave-of-Heavy-Metal vibe to the track and remains one of Ozzy's more creative efforts.

The No More Tears closer should qualify as a power ballad on an album that features the best Osbourne has to offer when it comes to those types of tracks. Somewhat of a retrospect piece for Ozzy, taking a look back at things saying he'd guess he'd "do it all again." Also, the combination of Zakk Wylde's raucous guitar and the late Randy Castillo's controlled thunder on the drums is superbly on display.

No offense to "Perry Mason," but "See You on the Other Side" might be the highlight of the Ozzmosis album. Another Osbourne solo track co-written by Lemmy Kilmister. And another ballad that the Motörhead boss lent his hand. Who knew that Lemmy really had a noteworthy softer side? When compared to Ozzy's other songs of this ilk, like "Road to Nowhere" or "Mama, I'm Coming Home," this one seems to stand out for its solid balance of emotion and raw power.

The bookend aspect of The Ultimate Sin is pretty impressive. We've already talked about the title-track opener, so it's time to highlight the album's closer. "Shot in the Dark" was a mainstream hit and the video popular with MTV audiences. Osbourne bassist Phil Soussan penned an earlier version of the song for a band he was with at the time. Upon joining forces with Ozzy, the song was tweaked and became one of the legend's most notable hits.

The opener of No More Tears, "Mr. Tinkertrain" is a rousing rocker that kicks off Osbourne's best album of the 1990s. And, is somewhat of a throwback to his harder efforts from the 1980s. Taking a step further back in time, it can also be argued that "Mr. Tinkertrain" has a good amount of Black Sabbath influence. Wylde's guitar is quite bluesy, even with his signature "ping" on full display."

Ozzy Osbourne's sensational 1981 solo debut Blizzard of Ozz is considered one of the great heavy metal albums of all time. Mostly because of its hard-rock brilliance and stellar musicianship. Yet, one of the highlights is certainly the record's most melodic number. The first song written for the album, "Goodbye to Romance" was Osbourne's way of leaving his past behind, specifically with Black Sabbath, and focusing on the promise of a successful solo career.

With Lee Kerslake's rapid-fire drum intro, the Diary of a Madman album is off and running. This is one Osbourne song that truly encapsulates the overall talent he surrounded himself on his early solo studio albums. In addition to Kerslake's drumming, there's the consistency of Bob Daisley's bass. And, of course, the virtuosic guitar work of late legend Randy Rhoads. It's pure, straightforward commercial metal that helped make Ozzy god-like to a new generation of hard-rock fans. 

One of Ozzy's signature songs from his second solo studio album, circa 1983, of the same name. The "Bark at the Moon" single was a mainstream success in the United States and ushered in a new era for Osbourne and his backing band. Which, at the time, featured new guitarist Jake E. Lee -- who also earned a co-writing credit on the track. Ozzy was now producing accessible metal music, and "Bark at the Moon" was leading the charge.

From Don Airey's church-like keyboard intro to Randy Rhoads' memorable closing solo, "Mr. Crowley" is an eerie, yet blistering, musical account of English cult persona Aleister Crowley. It's not only a special moment from Blizzard of Ozz but has been one Ozzy Osbourne tune that just about any fan of the "Prince of Darkness" can celebrate. The record was certified gold and long considered one of Rhoads' best guitar moments.

According to songfacts.com, the tune's title is a nod to Ozzy's equally famous wife: "Sharon Arden Thelma Osbourne." However, according to Bob Daisley, that became the title after he and fellow co-writer Lee Kerslake, whose drum work thoroughly shines on the song, were kicked out of the band. It has quite the history, but also quite a heavy number and one of the true hidden gems from the Diary of the Madman album.  

Osbourne had been banished from Black Sabbath, then turned his focus to striking out on his own. From the opening seconds of "I Don't Know," as the first track off Blizzard of Ozz, it seemed obvious that Ozzy was headed for great success. And, at a time when FM radio and, eventually, MTV were prominent, he was going to regain his stardom as one of heavy metal's driving forces. "I Don't Know" is the perfect introduction as one of the top album openers of all time.

It's hard to single out that one true moment of Randy Rhoads's guitar greatness. However, various music critics and plenty of fans consider "Flying High Again" to be the one of note. Arguably one of the great mainstream metal songs of the 1980s, Rhoads' is at his best on this Diary of a Madman classic. His playing is dirty and raw, yet polished and seemingly perfect at the same time. Something that even the most accomplished guitarists, within any genre, can't pull off.

While "I Don't Know" immediately draws in the Blizzard of Ozz listener, "Steal Away" rips the album to a blistering finish. The track is rather relentless in pace, guided the entire time by Randy Rhoads' exceptional guitar work. To die-hard Ozzie fans, "Steal Away" should be considered a classic metal moment, but for the casual hard-rock fan it's probably defined as a deep cut. Either way, the song is worthy of consistent acclaim and praise. 

It's the song that's not only defined Ozzy Osbourne's solo career, but Randy Rhoads' short, but massively influential, legacy. For some, "Crazy Train" has worn out its welcome over the years, but it's one of the most recognizable songs of all time -- regardless of the genre. Ozzy's first solo single has gone four-times platinum, is a staple of classic-rock radio, and can be heard at just about any indoor sports arena or outdoor stadium. "ALL ABOARD!!"