10 Songs We Gotta Hear at Ozzy and Black Sabbath’s Farewell Gig – by Jake E. Lee
Look, I’ve stood onstage with Ozzy, I’ve played those iconic riffs, and I’ve soaked in the roar of a crowd hungry for the Prince of Darkness. When it comes to Ozzy and Sabbath, you’re talking about the very DNA of heavy metal. So if this really is the last hurrah—the final bow—then we better do it right. Here’s what I think needs to shake the heavens one last time.
1. “Black Sabbath” – Black Sabbath (1970)
You can’t have a Sabbath farewell without the song that started it all. That eerie tritone riff Tony Iommi pulled out? It’s still chilling decades later. The thunder, the rain, Ozzy’s voice cutting through the darkness—it’s the birth of metal, plain and simple. If you don’t open the show with this, you’re doing it wrong.
2. “Bark at the Moon” – Ozzy Osbourne (1983)
Alright, I’m biased—I wrote this one. But tell me that riff doesn’t still rip your face off. Ozzy and I were in a totally new chapter, and this track proved he could rise from the ashes and redefine himself. It’s energetic, theatrical, and it’s got a monster bite. The crowd would go nuclear hearing those opening notes again.
3. “War Pigs” – Black Sabbath (1970)
This isn’t just a song, it’s a sermon. Still relevant. Still raw. Ozzy’s vocals are haunting, and Geezer’s lyrics hit like a hammer. And that slow, doomy march? There’s no better way to unite the faithful in one last, raging anti-war anthem.
4. “Mr. Crowley” – Ozzy Osbourne (1980)
Randy Rhoads gave us a gift with this one. I’ve always had a deep respect for what he did with that classical influence. “Mr. Crowley” is spooky, elegant, and explosive all at once. The keyboard intro, the haunting solo—it’s quintessential Ozzy. It demands a place in this final set.
5. “Children of the Grave” – Black Sabbath (1971)
This is a steamroller of a track. The rhythm, the message, the pure aggression—it’s Sabbath at their most primal. When the drums start pounding, and the riff kicks in, there’s no stopping the energy. This one belongs in the encore, shaking the foundation of whatever venue dares host this gig.
6. “Shot in the Dark” – Ozzy Osbourne (1986)
You want an anthem that gets people belting every word back? This is it. It’s got that epic vibe, and it captures the ’80s Ozzy era perfectly. Even if I didn’t play on this one, I respect it. It’s melodic and massive. You can’t say goodbye without something from The Ultimate Sin era.
7. “Fairies Wear Boots” – Black Sabbath (1970)
This one always makes me grin. It’s funky, it’s heavy, and it’s got attitude for days. I’d love to hear Ozzy swagger through this one live again, maybe with a little extra grit in his voice. Plus, the jam at the end is a perfect nod to how Sabbath could groove and grind all in one.
8. “Diary of a Madman” – Ozzy Osbourne (1981)
Now, this is a song that just builds. It’s theatrical, it’s haunting—it’s almost like a twisted metal opera. Randy’s guitar work here was on another level, and Ozzy delivered one of his most chilling vocal performances. For the fans who want to feel something, this one’s non-negotiable.
9. “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” – Black Sabbath (1973)
Now we’re talking epic. This song’s got dynamics, emotion, and that middle-section breakdown that still gives me chills. It’s Sabbath pushing the boundaries of what metal could be—layered, orchestral, emotional. And Ozzy? He sounds almost possessed. If you’re closing the Sabbath book, you need this chapter.
10. “Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne (1980)
You knew this was coming. It’s the one track that even folks who’ve never listened to metal know by heart. That riff, that scream—“All aboard!”—it’s a battle cry. It’s joy, chaos, and defiance all rolled into one. You have to end the night with this. Ozzy riding off into the dark, grinning like the madman we all love.
One Final Bow
This farewell show isn’t just another gig—it’s a ritual. It’s a tribute to the legacy of a band that invented a genre and a frontman who became a legend. Whether you were there for Sabbath’s sludgy doom beginnings or you jumped on board during the wild solo years (hey, maybe even my years), this is the setlist that bridges it all.
And look, we know Ozzy’s not invincible. He’s been through the wringer, but he’s still standing, still screaming, still ours. This show isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about honoring the impact, the innovation, and the insanity that Ozzy and Sabbath brought to the world.
So crank those amps, fire up the lights, and let’s hear these 10 songs tear a hole through the night sky one last time. Because if we’re going out—we’re going out loud.
— Jake E. Lee
