Few believed in the success of Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career after his dismissal from Black Sabbath, but the first album of the outrageous vocalist dispelled such doubts. Having assembled a team of first-class musicians, Ozzy released the disc Blizzard of Ozz, which became four times platinum in the USA alone.
Several tracks from the album are considered classics of heavy metal, and the song Crazy Train (“Mad Train”) became its decoration.
The story of creation and the meaning of Crazy Train
The song was written by Ozzy, Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley. Although individual lines of text can be interpreted in different ways, it is clear that Crazy Train speaks of a military madness that has gripped the world, which is artificially fueled by politicians who set their own rules and force others to follow them.
Crazy Train was the first single from the Blizzard of Ozz album. It was released in September 1980 and charted in the US, UK and some other countries, although it did not rise to the top positions. Later, the song was included in many Ozzy Osbourne best-of compilations.
Clip Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
Check out the music video for Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne.
In 1987, a live version of the song was released as a single from the album Tribute, dedicated to the memory of Randy Rhoads.
Crazy Train has been included in all sorts of ratings compiled by various authoritative publications. So, Guitar World magazine put Randy Rhoads’ solo in ninth place in the list of the greatest guitar solos, and VH1 included the composition in the lists of the best metal and hard rock songs.
Performers
Crazy Train has been covered by Nightwish, Pat Boone, Skid Row and many more. Let’s listen to how Sebastian Bach sang it.
Even the Westboro Baptist Church featured a cover of Crazy Train, performing a reworked version of the song at an anti-gay rally, which outraged Ozzy Osbourne.
Interesting Facts
- Crazy Train is featured in feature films (Ghost Rider), computer games (Rock Band 3, Madden NFL 11, Guitar Hero World Tour), TV series (The Office) and commercials (Mitsubishi cars).
- At the end of the studio version of Crazy Train, someone can be heard saying “Egg” (“Egg”). It was the record director who answered Ozzy’s question about what he had for breakfast.
Crazy Train Lyrics
Crazy, but that’s how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it’s not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate
mental wounds not healing
Life’s a bitter shame
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train
I’ve listened to preachers
I’ve listened to fools
I’ve watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role
Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me inside
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train
I know that things are going wrong for me
You gotta listen to my words
Yeah-h!
Heirs of a cold war
That’s what we’ve become
Inheriting troubles I’m mentally numb
Crazy, I just can’t bear
I’m living with something that just isn’t fair
mental wounds not healing
Who and what’s to blame
I’m going off the rails on a crazy train
Crazy Train Lyrics Ozzy Osbourne Alternative
Crazy, but that’s how it goes
Millions of people live like enemies
Maybe it’s not too late
Learn to love
And forget about the hate
Soul wounds don’t heal
Life is a bitter shame
I derail on a crazy train
I listened to the preachers
I listened to fools
I watched all the dropouts
Who made their own rules
One man defined the rule and began supervision
The media praised him and you play the part
Mental wounds still hurt unbearably,
Driving me insane
I derail on a crazy train
I know that things are getting worse
You must listen to me
Yes!
Legacy of the Cold War
That’s what we’ve become
I inherit trouble and my mind is numb
Madness, I just can’t take it
I live with something just dishonorable
Soul wounds don’t heal
Who and what to blame
I derail on a crazy train
Song quote
One of the greatest performances of his solo career and an immortal metal classic.
Allmusic
