About the Song
When a rock legend like Ozzy Osbourne takes on a classic, you don’t expect subtlety — you expect fire. And in his gritty, full-throttle cover of “Rocky Mountain Way,” originally written and made famous by Joe Walsh in 1973, Ozzy doesn’t just honor the track — he revitalizes it with his own brand of swagger, edge, and unmistakable voice.
Released in 2005 on his covers album Under Cover, Ozzy’s version of “Rocky Mountain Way” stands out as one of the boldest reimaginings in the collection. The original song — a laid-back, bluesy reflection on freedom and moving on — becomes something sharper in Ozzy’s hands. It’s more forceful, more electrified, and undeniably heavier. This isn’t a man musing from a mountaintop — this is a survivor, roaring from the edge of a canyon, with amps cranked and guitars wailing.
What makes this cover work isn’t just the raw energy — it’s Ozzy’s emotional connection to reinvention. Much like the spirit of the song itself, which is about leaving the past behind and embracing a new horizon, Ozzy too had spent decades rising, falling, and rising again. That personal history bleeds into every note of the performance, turning a blues-rock staple into a kind of personal anthem of resilience.
The instrumentation is stellar, featuring slashing slide guitar riffs and a muscular rhythm section that honors the groove of the original while pushing it into heavier territory. Ozzy’s vocals are rougher than in his early days, but that only adds to the authenticity. There’s no polish here — just grit, attitude, and experience.
For fans of both classic rock and heavy metal, Ozzy’s “Rocky Mountain Way” is a fascinating crossroads — where blues meets brawn, and a rock classic finds new power in an old voice.