Ozzy Osbourne had a lot of people to do a lot of things for him. He had people helping to write songs, brought in virtuoso guitarists whenever he needed one, and let his spouse handle his business affairs. 

But all of these opportunities originated from the fact that Osbourne always possessed a great singing voice. Ozzy Osbourne is one of the greatest rock vocalists. 

These are, in my opinion, his 10 best vocal performances. 

The Top 10 Vocal Performance by Ozzy Osbourne

10. ”Black Sabbath”

In Geezer Butler’s excellent autobiography, “Into the Void,” he recalls his first impression of Ozzy, the rock singer. He says that Osbourne was funny, incredibly weird, and had a shaven head, having recently spent some time in a correctional facility. He also recalls how owning a PA system got him a job in the band. 

That’s all, likely true, yet the delivery on “Black Sabbath,” the band’s early attempt at horror-rock, proves why he made a career in music. 

9. ”Crazy Train”

This was the song that relaunched Ozzy’s career at a time when all fans of Black Sabbath had written him off. If alcohol had turned him into a castaway, you couldn’t hear it in his delivery of the pop-metal anthem “Crazy Train.”

Sure, guitarist Randy Rhoads, one of rock’s great guitar virtuosos, does a lot of the heavy lifting here. But, just try to sing the chorus lines yourself, and you’ll see what ease Osbourne had with difficult parts like those.

8. ”Changes”

Ozzy Osbourne’s single biggest musical influence was The Beatles. In fact, he tried to emulate John Lennon often. It’s not like anyone noticed until “Changes.” This was the first time that Sabbath introduced a slow, love song. It proved beyond a doubt that the band had a highly versatile singer.

7. ”Hole in the Sky”

Ozzy Osbourne had great control of his range during his best years. That came naturally. His vocal range covered over four octaves, from D2 to G5.

However, despite being so often associated with heavy metal, Osbourne rarely used screams and vocal distortion. “Hole in the Sky,” on the other hand, is one of his most aggressive deliveries, and he handles it great.

6. ”Bark at the Moon”

“Bark at the Moon” was released during Osbourne’s pop-metal, arena-rock phase. It contains some of Jake E. Lee’s finest guitar solos. 

And while for the longest time I didn’t enjoy the song, focusing on Ozzy’s sharp, melodic vocals made me, finally, appreciate it. 

5. ”Snowblind”

By the making of “Vol. 4,” Black Sabbath’s musicians were overworked and chemically dependent. “Snowblind” sounds like it was recorded during a stupor. However, miraculously, it also captures the Osbourne and the band at the very peak of their powers. Ozzy’s singing here floats seamlessly through those tenor range vocals.

4. ”No More Tears” 

Arguably, “No More Tears” was Ozzy’s proudest solo recording moment. I’d like to think that this is because the song, unlike. say, the rather ridiculous “Mr Crowley,” sounds mysterious and dark.

Some of this is due to Zakk Wylde’s contribution to the tune. And it’s also because Osbourne’s vocals, particularly in the pre-chorus, are simply fantastic. 

3. ”Paranoid”

Sure, it was made in a hurry and recorded to fill up space on the band’s second album. However, “Paranoid” is an undeniable classic rock hit because everyone in the band in those two minutes everyone in the band gets to deliver their very best.

Osbourne’s piercing howl is a wonder, and especially so considering he hadn’t even been singing for long.

2. ”Sweet Leaf”

“Sweet Leaf” has inspired countless doom, stoner, and classic heavy metal bands. Sure, the song contains monumental riffs and a theme that was the heart of many rock musicians. 

The ingredient, however, that most bands copying this are missing is Ozzy Osbourne’s jokey, but passionate vocals. Osbourne may have been everyman rockstar, but his early vocals were no joke.

1. ”War Pigs”

Black Sabbath was the first band to make horror a platinum-selling business. And, to be fair, the band’s music was terrifying. 

Geezer Butler opted to pen lyrics about nuclear holocausts, wars, and supernatural beings. However, it was Ozzy, with his knack for theatricality and his clean vocals, that got through the mix, which really helped to deliver the songs.

In my opinion, “War Pigs” is the single greatest vocal performance by Ozzy Osbourne.