Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career has spanned over four decades, delivering some of the most iconic rock and metal anthems in music history. But when it comes to live performances, not all songs have had their moment in the spotlight.
By analyzing his setlists over the years, it’s clear that Ozzy heavily favors his earlier albums, particularly everything from 1980’s Blizzard of Ozz through 1991’s No More Tears. However, his later records received significantly less live representation, with some albums like Ordinary Man never being performed live at all.
So, which songs have been played the most? And which have been almost completely forgotten on stage? Here’s a breakdown of the most and least played songs from every Ozzy Osbourne album.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Most & Least Played Songs (Updated March 4, 2025)
Early Classics: The Most Performed Ozzy Songs Live
Ozzy’s golden era from 1980-1991 produced some of his biggest live staples. Unsurprisingly, “Crazy Train” from Blizzard of Ozz remains his most played song of all time, having been performed 1,179 times.
| Album | Most Played Song | Times Played | Least Played Song | Times Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzard of Ozz (1980) | Crazy Train | 1,179 | Dee | 2 |
| Diary of a Madman (1981) | Flying High Again | 739 | You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll | 1 |
| Bark at the Moon (1983) | Bark at the Moon | 808 | So Tired | 4 |
| The Ultimate Sin (1986) | Shot in the Dark | 429 | Lightning Strikes, Never | 4 |
| No Rest for the Wicked (1988) | Miracle Man | 185 | Crazy Babies | 1 |
| No More Tears (1991) | I Don’t Want to Change the World | 586 | Hellraiser, Mr. Tinkertrain, Party With the Animals | 1 |
The Decline in Live Performances for Later Albums
As Ozzy moved into the mid-1990s and beyond, fewer and fewer songs from his newer albums made it into his setlists. His 1995 record Ozzmosis marked the beginning of this shift, with songs being played significantly less than those from his early years.
| Album | Most Played Song | Times Played | Least Played Song | Times Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozzmosis (1995) | I Just Want You | 106 | See You on the Other Side | 2 |
| Down to Earth (2001) | Gets Me Through | 80 | Junkie | 27 |
| Under Cover (2005) | In My Life | 1 | In My Life | 1 |
| Black Rain (2007) | Not Going Away | 92 | I Don’t Wanna Stop | 57 |
| Scream (2010) | Let Me Hear You Scream | 81 | Fearless | 2 |
Recent Albums Almost Completely Ignored Live
After Scream in 2010, Ozzy’s live shows leaned almost entirely on his earlier work. Albums released in the 2020s—despite strong reviews—have barely been represented in live performances.
| Album | Most Played Song | Times Played | Least Played Song | Times Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Man (2020) | None | 0 | None | 0 |
| Patient Number 9 (2022) | Patient Number 9 | 1 | Patient Number 9 | 1 |
Why Did Ozzy Stop Playing Newer Songs Live?
There are several reasons why Ozzy’s setlists became dominated by older songs:
- Nostalgia & Fan Demand:
- Fans attend Ozzy’s shows expecting the classics—songs like Crazy Train and Bark at the Moon are essential.
- Health Limitations & Touring Changes:
- As Ozzy aged and faced health issues, his live performances became more limited, reducing the chances of introducing new material.
- Black Sabbath Tours & Priorities:
- Many of Ozzy’s recent tours have focused on Black Sabbath, taking attention away from his solo work.