“The power of people, when they focus on something positive, never fails to amaze me.” — Ozzy Osbourne, I Am Ozzy
I’ve written many times about how heavy metal music changed my life. It gave me focus, inspiration, an outlet. It helped me become who I never thought I could be.
Though many of my rock heroes have passed over the years, this one hurts more than any other up to this point. John Michael Osbourne, better known as Ozzy Osbourne, passed away a week ago. This hurts because without the self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness, there would be no heavy metal. He was like an extended part of the family, equal parts amusement and embarrassment – but 100% love nonetheless.
I’ve loved Ozzy since I was 12. I asked my dad to get me an Ozzy CD for my 13th birthday, and he gifted me the compilation album, The Ozzman Cometh. I wore that CD out. I still have it, a prized piece of my music collection.
The first concert I went to was Ozzfest 2002 when I was 18 years old. I cherish that I got to see the Ozzman on stage singing my favorite songs. I went back in 2003, 2005, and 2007. I was lucky enough to see the original members of Black Sabbath perform at Ozzfest 2005. That’s a memory that will last forever.
There’s little point in recapping Ozzy’s life here. He was an icon, like Elvis, the Beatles, or Michael Jackson. He is a household name. What’s most important about his remarkable saga is it’s been one of chaos, creativity, survival, and transformation. He never lost his humanity or love of people through it all. He was betrayed. He betrayed. He was loved. He loved. He was both good and wrong wrapped up in a package of beautiful anarchy. From fronting Black Sabbath to becoming a global icon of heavy metal and reality TV, his story is full of reflective lessons that extend beyond music.
Here are ten life lessons that Ozzy taught me growing up. I often draw from his journey to remind myself that we are all deeply human. These lessons inspire me, and I believe them relevant no matter your walk of life.
1. Embrace Your Imperfections—They Might Be Your Greatest Strength
Song: “Crazy Train” (1980). “Maybe it’s not too late to learn how to love and forget how to hate.”
The link is from “Back to the Beginning” – the last time Ozzy ever performed the song that made him a legend, but that’s not how it could have been.
From the beginning, Ozzy was never set up for success. He battled dyslexia, ADHD, and crushing self-doubt, all while growing up in Birmingham poverty with few opportunities beyond factory work. He was awkward, unconventional, and often misunderstood. But instead of trying to hide these aspects of himself, he turned them into fuel. He couldn’t read or write music—but he didn’t need to. His unique voice, his energy, his vulnerability, and even his chaos became part of a sound and persona that changed music forever. “Crazy Train” became not only his breakout solo anthem, but also a symbol of embracing the madness within.
I learned that peopledon’t have to be polished or perfect to be powerful. Your perceived flaws might be the very things that make your voice unforgettable. In a world that pressures us to be filtered and flawless, Ozzy reminds us that truth lives in our rough edges. Don’t hide them—harness them.
2. Reinvent Yourself Relentlessly
Song: “Flying High Again” (1981). “Mama’s gonna worry, I’ve been a bad, bad boy.”
After being kicked out of Black Sabbath, Ozzy spiraled into depression, grief, and substance abuse. Many believed he was finished, even he did. But instead of fading away, he launched a solo career that surpassed even his earlier success. With the support of Sharon and a fresh creative team, he created new music, a new brand, and a new life. “Flying High Again” wasn’t just a hit—it was a declaration of rebirth. Ozzy proved that one chapter ending doesn’t mean your story is over.
Of course it’s cliché to day, but no less true. We will all face seasons of failure, heartbreak, or stagnation. Maybe you’re in that season right now. Remember the Ozzman in those times. The key is not in avoiding these moments, but in using them as springboards for change. Reinvention is a powerful act of self-love and resilience. You can begin again—and soar.
3. Love and Loyalty Can Be Life-Saving
Song: “Mama, I’m Coming Home” (1991). “Times have changed and times are strange / Here I come, but I ain’t the same.”
Behind Ozzy’s wild exterior was a love story that saved him more times than anyone can count. Sharon Osbourne was more than his partner—she was his warrior, his protector, and his compass. Through overdoses, breakdowns, public meltdowns, and near-death experiences, she stood by him when others walked away. “Mama, I’m Coming Home” is a tribute not just to romantic love, but to the kind of loyalty that redeems.
As Arnold Schwarzenegger famously said, “I am not a self-made man.” None of us succeed alone. The people who walk with us through our darkest nights are gifts beyond measure. When you find someone who believes in you at your worst, hold on to them—and become that person for someone else.
4. Laugh at Yourself—Even When the World Is Watching
Song: “Perry Mason” (1995). “Who can we get on the case? We need Perry Mason!”
Ozzy’s stint on MTV’s The Osbournes revealed a different side of the metal god: confused, funny, overwhelmed, tender, and often hilariously incoherent. And instead of trying to hide that from the cameras, he leaned into it. “Perry Mason,” with its bizarre lyrics and over-the-top style, mirrors Ozzy’s willingness to play with his own image. He didn’t try to uphold a myth—he let people see the man behind the curtain, slippers and all.
Humor is one of the purest forms of courage. When we stop taking ourselves so seriously, we become more relatable, more human, and more connected. Laughing at yourself doesn’t diminish your dignity—it reveals your depth.
5. Keep Going—Even When Your Body and Mind Beg You to Stop
Song: “No More Tears” (1991). “So now that it’s over, can’t we just say goodbye?”
My favorite Ozzy song. That bass is just… chef’s kiss! But I digress. Ozzy’s life has been marked by profound physical and mental suffering. He’s battled substance abuse, depression, serious injuries, and Parkinson’s disease. At times, he’s been physically broken and emotionally drained—but he’s never given up. “No More Tears” captures that duality of exhaustion and endurance. He may have wanted to say goodbye—but he chose to stay, to fight, to create.
Persistence isn’t glamorous. Sometimes it’s just about staying in the game—one painful step at a time. Resilience is quiet. It’s gritty. It’s the decision to show up even when everything inside you says don’t. Living is an act of resistance to status quo. It’s an act of resilience in and of itself. Make the most of that life.
6. Own Your Legacy—Even the Darkest Parts
Song: “Mr. Crowley” (1980). “Was it polemically sent? I wanna know what you meant.”
Ozzy was surrounded by controversy for much of his life. Satanic panic, rumors of devil worship, biting a bat’s head off—it all became part of the legend. But instead of denying or deflecting, Ozzy incorporated those myths into his art. “Mr. Crowley” channels that dark curiosity and mystique, not to glorify it, but to explore and own it.
You don’t need to erase your past to grow from it. Your legacy includes your scars, your mistakes, and your myths. Embrace them. Let them evolve you, not shame you. Authenticity is stronger than denial. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the breaks with lacquer mixed with gold, silver, or platinum. It’s more than just a repair technique; it’s philosophical, in that, the act embraces the history and imperfections of an object, celebrating its resilience and unique character. We should all embrace our own imperfections and use them to make our own art.
Also, I liked the Jack Black version of this song because it’s AMAZING! All hail, Jack Black and the School of Rock!!
7. Be Unapologetically Yourself
Song: “I Don’t Wanna Stop” (2007). “I don’t know what they’re talking about / I’m making my own decisions.”
Even decades into his career, critics were still telling Ozzy to retire, settle down, or fade away. Ashamedly, I was likely one of them. I kept seeing an old broken man refuse to give it up, and I shook my head. But Ozzy didn’t listen. He stayed true to who he was—even if it was messy, loud, and inconvenient. “I Don’t Wanna Stop” is his rebel yell against conformity.
A few weeks ago, I streamed “Back to the Beginning,” which was Ozzy and Black Sabbath’s final show put on for charity. Ozzy hadn’t performed in years, but it was surreal experience. Emotional, and I walked away with a much more appreciative and understanding point of view. Ozzy was confined to a chair, unable to stand due to the Parkison’s. Yet, his voice, his love, his energy were all there. He gave his fans one last gift despite it all. And, I finally understood.
We are not born to blend in. Being ourselves in a world that constantly demands conformity is a revolutionary act. Your voice, your choices, your weirdness—it all matters. Live it out loud, and keep going no matter what anyone else tells you.
8. Find Catharsis in Creativity
Song: “Diary of a Madman” (1981). “Screaming at the window / Watch me die another day.”
This haunting, orchestral piece – one of my favorites – is Ozzy at his most introspective. It’s not just a song; it’s a journal entry soaked in anguish and artistry. Music wasn’t a product for Ozzy. It was a pressure valve. It was how he survived himself.
Creative expression can be therapeutic. You don’t need an audience or a masterpiece—just the willingness to turn your emotions into something external. When the world feels too heavy, make something. Paint. Write. Scream. Heal. Do what brings you joy and happiness. It will save you.
9. Turn Pain Into Purpose
Song: “Under the Graveyard” (2019). “I don’t want to be my enemy.”
Released at age 70, this song is raw, vulnerable, and stripped down. It’s a confession, a confrontation, and a plea for peace. Even at the edge of mortality, Ozzy was evolving—using his music to work through grief, fear, and reflection. It was the first time in his life he admitted making music 100% sober, which is powerful. The music video is a documentation of his life following him being kicked out of Black Sabbath. It was a time when he was at his lowest when he could have died. Sharon lead him from the brink. And we have another 45 years of amazing music because of it.
Pain doesn’t have to break you unless you want it to. It can teach you, soften you, strengthen you. Your scars can become roadmaps for others. Use your suffering as a source of empathy and growth. That’s how we turn wounds into wisdom.
10. Legacy Is Built One Brave Day at a Time
Song: “Dreamer” (2001). “I’m just a dreamer, I dream my life away.”
As Ozzy aged, his music shifted from rage to reflection. “Dreamer” isn’t about rebellion—it’s about responsibility. It’s about hoping for a better world and realizing that maybe your loudest contribution isn’t noise, but hope. His evolution wasn’t the death of rock—it was its fulfillment.
Legacy isn’t built in one act. It’s built during a lifetime from thousands of brave, kind, authentic moments. Dream big and act with heart. Leave the world softer, stronger, and more honest than you found it.
Final Word: Embrace Your Own Crazy Train
Ozzy Osbourne is more than a music legend. He’s a testimony to the messy, magnificent art of becoming. He stumbled, he soared, he survived. He turned pain into poetry and madness into meaning. His life reminds us that you don’t have to be perfect, pretty, or even understood to be powerful.
So, whether you’re crawling out of a dark chapter or flying high again, take this with you: Don’t stop. Don’t settle. Don’t shrink. You were made to leave a mark. Don’t just ride your own crazy train. Be the goddamn conductor! \m/
Thank you, Ozzy. Thank you for everything you’ve done in helping me understand these lessons. I will miss you, and so will millions of other people you helped save.
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