.

Song Stories

“Crazy Train”

Ozzy Osbourne | 1981

"Crazy Train" is the song that not only introduced Ozzy Osbourne as a solo artist but also introduced the world to guitar shredder Randy Rhoads. But according to original Ozzy Osbourne Band bassist Bob Daisley, he was the brains behind the tune, not the Prince of Darkness. "The title was mine and 99% of the lyrics were mine," Daisley boasted. "I think a word or two came from Ozzy." With lyrics suggesting that we all oughta get along, "Crazy Train" is one of Osbourne's most covered solo songs, including unexpected renditions by the likes of Pat Boone and the Blue Man Group.

prev
“Hey Ya!”
Outkast | 2003
Song Stories Main Next
“Love Is a Battlefield”
Pat Benatar | 1983

blog comments powered by Disqus

Photos & Videos

Go To Content

Random Notes: Hottest Rock Pictures

Go To Content Play Video

Video: Dave Grohl Sits in With the Rolling Stones

Go To Content

Gallery: 'Born Sinner' Series by J. Cole

Best Ever Lists
100 Greatest Guitarists

Other Lists

Song Stories

“1999”

Prince | 1982

“I don’t consider myself a great poet,” Prince told Rolling Stone. “I just know I’m here to say what’s on my mind.” In the case of the apocalyptic party anthem “1999,” he was worried about then-president Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies. The song’s melody is based on a riff borrowed from the Mamas and Papas’ “Monday, Monday,” and Prince originally envisioned the first verse with three-part harmony but later split the vocals between himself and members of the Revolution. Because Warner Bros., with whom Prince was locked in a contractual battle, owned the original’s masters, Prince rerecorded the song and appropriately released that version in 1999.

More Song Stories entries »