I Don't Know

Album: Blizzard of Ozz (1980)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song depicts the confusion and depression Ozzy was suffering after he got kicked out of Black Sabbath. The line, "What's the future of mankind? How do I know, I got left behind" was speaking of how Ozzy felt he had no future. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sean - Detroit, MI
  • This is the first track on the Blizzard of Oz album; it's not a well-known hit, but sounds distinctively Ozzy. This makes it a great album to slip on the stereo at parties and begin playing without comment, because someone will ask what the name of the song is. This is sure to set you up for an Abbott & Costello scenario. Be sure to string it out as long as you can: "Do you have the CD case there?" "Yeah" "Is the name of the song written on the sleeve?" "Of course." "So?"
  • Ozzy Osbourne came up with the title to this song, but Bob Daisley claims credit for writing the lyrics, all except the line "ya gotta believe in foolish miracles," which he says Ozzy contributed. Daisley was the primary lyricist on the first two Ozzy Osbourne solo albums, which were conceived as a band formed by Osbourne, Daisley and Randy Rhoads called the Blizzard of Ozz. The record company issued the albums as Ozzy solo efforts, and that's how they stood, even though composing the songs was clearly a band effort, with most of the tracks credited to every member.
  • That powerful lead guitar, so recognizable as the same player from "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley," is yet another reminder of the tragic death of Randy Rhodes. He was one of the few rock legends to have died so young - age 25 - without it being a drug overdose. He was killed in a plane crash, one that was undertaken for fun and which he was persuaded to come along on despite his fear of flying.
  • Blizzard of Ozz is one of the 100 top-selling albums of the 1980s, despite having no top-40 singles. This is an extremely rare feat.
  • Since this is Ozzy's first outing after his split from Black Sabbath, we might as well include this quote from Seventies Rock: The Decade of Creative Chaos about the end of Black Sabbath: "In just a few short years, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward had achieved the goal that every rock band had aspired to reach - they had established indelible new parameters for an entirely new genus of rock music. The darkness and power of the band would reverberate for decades, spawning countless imitators who would always fall short of the seismic brilliance of the originators."
  • That sound at the beginning is a big brass gong, recorded and played backwards. The same sound is played forwards towards the end of the song.

Comments: 6

  • Rich from Las Vegas, NvHell yeah! Very 1st song on side 1 of Blizzard Of Ozz...One of my top 10 songs of all time, it was my introduction to Ozzy aaannnnd Randy...I'm from Randy's hometown of Burbank, CA this album will always have a VERY special place in my metal heart! I love Ozzy!
  • Jg from Joppa, MdThis is not a well known hit? Really?
  • Addi_polak from Dortmund, Germanysorry for my english: for me was ozzy in the time of black sabbath like an prophet - the people saw in him a prophet. in him and in BLACK SABBATH. after BLACK SABBATH kicked him out he was lost. he lost all behind him. but the people still asked him for answers about the life - about they life - about the future - about mankind - about GOD - but NOW HE DON'T KNOW!!!
  • Luke from Sc, Scyeah daisley did write almost every song ozzy ever sang, but still give it up for him. he's still a great singer.
  • Vic from Melbourne, AustraliaYou are absolutely right, Josh of Detroit. Credit where credit's due - and that goes to Bob Daisley for all his lyrical attributes as well to Randy and Bob for the music!
  • Josh from Detroit, MiThe lyrics to this song were written by Bob Daisley. Ozzy wrote none of the lyrics on this album. In fact, the only verifiable evidence I've found for Ozzy writing ANY lyrics was on the song Black Sabbath, which he wrote when Geezer told him about a dream. And by looking at the lyrics in that song, it's easy to see why Ozzy relied on Geezer, Bob Daisley and Lemmy Kilmister to write virtually ALL of his memorable songs.
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