About the Song
In a career built on theatrical darkness, gothic flair, and the edge of madness, Ozzy Osbourne has never shied away from exploring the unsettling. But among his catalog of celebrated hits and headbanging anthems, few songs feel quite as creepy and atmospheric as “Spiders”, a lesser-known track originally released as a bonus on select editions of Bark at the Moon in 1983.
Unlike the title track or other heavy-hitting songs from the album, “Spiders” takes a more creeping, psychological approach. It doesn’t come at you with pounding riffs and stadium-sized choruses — it slithers in slowly, crawling under your skin. The arrangement leans heavily on eerie keyboard lines and a deliberate, crawling tempo, building a sense of claustrophobia and paranoia that feels like a musical embodiment of the song’s title.
Lyrically, the song walks the line between horror imagery and metaphor. The spiders described here aren’t just literal — they represent internal fears, obsessions, and the things that quietly consume us. Ozzy’s delivery is restrained but filled with tension, making the track feel more like a whispered warning than a cry for help. His voice, layered over the chilling instrumentation, adds a ghostly quality to the song, enhancing its unsettling mood.
Though it never gained the mainstream attention of his major singles, “Spiders” has become something of a cult favorite among fans who appreciate Ozzy’s more experimental and moody explorations. It showcases a different side of his artistry — one that values atmosphere over aggression, and subtle horror over spectacle.
In the broader context of Bark at the Moon, “Spiders” serves as a shadowy footnote to an album that was already rich in dark drama. For those willing to go beyond the surface hits, it’s a reminder that Ozzy Osbourne’s musical world is as deep and complex as it is loud and legendary.