About the Song
Released in 1991 on Ozzy Osbourne’s hit album No More Tears, “Desire” is a fast-paced, hard-hitting rocker that captures the raw hunger and unrelenting energy of the Prince of Darkness in the early ’90s. Coming at a time when Ozzy was riding a wave of commercial and creative success, the track is a burst of adrenaline — blending heavy riffs, biting lyrics, and a performance that radiates pure urgency.
From the opening bars, Zakk Wylde’s guitar work dominates with a furious, chugging riff that drives the song forward like a runaway train. The rhythm section — powered by Mike Inez on bass and Randy Castillo on drums — lays down a relentless groove, giving Ozzy the perfect foundation for one of his most aggressive vocal deliveries of the album. The result is a track that’s both tight and explosive, balancing precision with raw rock-and-roll chaos.
Lyrically, “Desire” is about craving — not just in the romantic or physical sense, but in the broader idea of an insatiable need for more. Whether it’s ambition, temptation, or the pull of danger, Ozzy sings from the perspective of someone who refuses to be satisfied with the ordinary. Lines like “Desire, desire, I can’t control” capture that feverish, almost dangerous momentum that comes with chasing something no matter the cost.
Musically, the song leans heavily into straight-ahead heavy metal energy, with Wylde’s blistering solo adding a searing middle section that turns the tension up another notch. The chorus is tailor-made for live performance, designed to get fists pumping and heads banging in unison.
In the context of No More Tears, “Desire” is one of the record’s most uncompromisingly aggressive tracks, offering a contrast to the melodic introspection of songs like “Mama, I’m Coming Home” or “Road to Nowhere”. It’s Ozzy in pure attack mode — unapologetic, fiery, and driven by the same restless spirit that had kept him at the top of the rock world for decades.
Over thirty years later, “Desire” still packs the same punch it did on release. It’s a musical shot of adrenaline, a reminder that Ozzy Osbourne’s power has always come from that perfect balance of precision and chaos, and from his ability to make even the most primal urges sound like an unstoppable force.