The title track of the album Bark at the Moon was the first song that Ozzy Osbourne recorded with Jake Lee (Jake E. Lee). The guitarist replaced Randy Rhoads, who died in a plane crash, in the band.
Officially, Osbourne is the author of the composition, but Lee subsequently claimed that he was directly involved in the work on Bark at the Moon. Allegedly, Sharon, Ozzy’s wife and producer, forced him to give up his rights. Jake sued the Osbournes in 2003, but the claims were dismissed.
Story of the Bark at the Moon song
Let’s listen to Jake Lee’s recollection of how Bark at the Moon was written.
Most of this [album Bark at the Moon] was written by me and Bob Daisley. Because Ozzy would show up and sort of process the songs. I remember I had a riff for Bark at the Moon. I played it and he said, “Oh, I really like it – we’ll call it Bark at the Moon” – because he already came up with the name of the album. So, he said, “This one will be Bark at the Moon.”
He kept saying things like that, and then he started drinking and either passed out or left, leaving Bob and me. We stayed in the studio and finished writing songs. Bob was a pleasure to work with. He wrote the lyrics to all the songs – a great lyricist.
Ultimate Classic Rock, 2013
Speaking about the history of the creation of Bark at the Moon, Ozzy himself called Jake a co-author:
In fact, the title of the song came from a joke that I often repeated. The final line said: “Eat shit and bark at the moon” (“Choke and howl at the moon”). I did the vocals and Jake wrote the riff. It was the first song we wrote together.
Synopsis for The Ozzman Cometh
The meaning of the song Bark at the Moon is clear without explanation. The text refers to a werewolf who terrified the inhabitants of the city. The monster was killed, but later he resurrected and again began to terrorize the townspeople.
Release and achievements
In November 1983, Bark at the Moon was released as the first single from the Jet label of the same name. The track peaked at number twenty-three on the UK charts and peaked at number twelve on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks.
On August 21, 2017, Ozzy performed the song at a show in Carterville, Illinois. During the performance, a solar eclipse began, reaching its climax to the sounds of the chorus.
Let’s watch the amateur music video Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne.
Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne
The official video for the song was the debut in the career of Ozzy Osbourne. The video has nothing to do with the plot of the composition. Many episodes refer viewers to the story “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.
The video for Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne was partially filmed at the Holloway Sanatorium.
Cover versions
The song has been covered by Strung Out, Shadows Fall, Frankenstein Drag Queens from Planet 13 and other bands.
For the tribute album Land of the Wizard: A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the song Bark at the Moon was recorded by Sanctorum.
Interesting Facts
- In 1983, Canadian James Jollimore claimed that the song Bark at the Moon prompted him to stab a woman and her two sons.
- The song in different versions sounds in the computer games GTA: Vice City and Guitar Hero.
Bark at the Moon Lyrics
Screams break the silence
Waking from the dead of night
Vengeance is boiling
He’s returned to kill the light
Then when he’s found who he’s looking for
Listen in awe and you’ll hear him
Bark at the moon
Years spent in torment
Buried in a nameless grave
Now he has risen
Miracles would have to save
Those that the beast is looking for
Listen in awe and you’ll hear him
Bark at the moon
Hey bark at the moon
They cursed and buried him along with shame
And thought his timeless soul had gone
In empty burning Hell-unholy one
But now he’s returned to prove them wrong
So wrong, uh yeah baby
Howling in shadows
Living in a lunar spell
He finds his heaven
Spewing from the mouth of hell
And when he finds who he’s looking for
Listen in awe and you’ll hear him
Bark at the moon
Yeah bark at the moon
Yeah bark at the moon
Bark at the moon
Bark at the Moon Lyrics Ozzy Osbourne Alternative
Screams pierce the silence
Awakening the sleep of the dead.
Retribution is seething
He returned to turn off the light.
And when he finds the one he’s looking for,
Listen in awe and you will hear him
Howling at the moon
Years spent in torment
Buried in an unmarked grave.
But here he is resurrected
And only a miracle will save
Those who are looking for the beast.
Listen in awe and you will hear him
Howling at the moon
Hey, howling at the moon.
They cursed him and buried him in disgrace,
Thinking that his eternal soul has gone
To an empty, burning hell for the wicked.
But now he’s back to prove them wrong
So wrong, yeah baby
He howls in the dark
Lives in lunar spells.
He got his heaven
Escaping from the jaws of hell.
And when he finds the one he’s looking for,
Listen in awe and you will hear him
Howling at the moon.
Yes, howling at the moon
Yes, howling at the moon
Howling at the moon.
