About the Song
Known for his heavy metal theatrics and larger-than-life persona, Ozzy Osbourne has a gift for surprising listeners with moments of sincerity and vulnerability. His 2005 cover of “Go Now”, originally recorded by Bessie Banks in 1964 and popularized by The Moody Blues in 1965, is one such moment. Featured on Under Cover, an album where Ozzy reinterprets classic rock songs that influenced him, this track stands out as a deeply emotional ballad — one that proves Ozzy’s artistry extends far beyond metal’s boundaries.
The song’s message is universal: the end of a love that has run its course, told with a mix of heartbreak and quiet resolve. In Ozzy’s version, those feelings come through with haunting authenticity. His voice, raspy and weathered with age and experience, brings a layer of emotional depth that feels deeply lived-in. Rather than recreating the polished harmonies of The Moody Blues’ version, Ozzy opts for a more stripped-down and soulful approach, making the lyrics hit harder: “Go now, you better go now / Before you see me cry.”
Musically, Ozzy’s rendition leans into dark, blues-inflected rock. The arrangement features slow, heavy rhythms, warm organ tones, and a restrained guitar presence, allowing the emotional weight of the vocals to take center stage. It’s not flashy or overproduced — it’s raw, intimate, and reflective, which makes the heartbreak at the core of the song all the more powerful.
On Under Cover, Ozzy pays tribute to the artists who shaped him, but “Go Now” feels especially personal. It’s not just a cover — it’s a confession through someone else’s words, delivered with the kind of gravity only a rock legend with decades of life behind him could offer.
For fans, “Go Now” is a reminder that beneath the “Prince of Darkness” image lies a deeply emotional storyteller — one capable of taking a classic song and giving it a whole new soul.