About the Song
Released in 2001 as the lead single from Ozzy Osbourne’s eighth studio album Down to Earth, “Gets Me Through” is both a raw expression of gratitude to his fans and a defiant declaration that the Prince of Darkness was still very much alive, kicking, and unafraid to speak his mind. At a time when Ozzy was well into his third decade in the music industry, the track served as a reminder that his connection to his audience remained the driving force behind his career.
Opening with a thick, ominous guitar riff from Zakk Wylde, the song wastes no time establishing its modern heavy metal grit. The rhythm section pounds with urgency, while Ozzy’s unmistakable voice cuts through the mix with a blend of menace and sincerity. The production is tight, contemporary, and powerful, fitting the early-2000s hard rock landscape without sacrificing the edge that has defined Ozzy’s music since the 1970s.
Lyrically, “Gets Me Through” walks the line between sarcastic self-awareness and heartfelt appreciation. In the opening lines — “I’m not the kind of person you think I am / I’m not the Antichrist or the Iron Man” — Ozzy cheekily pokes at the myths and media caricatures that have followed him for decades. But as the song unfolds, the core message becomes clear: his fans are the ones who keep him going. The repeated refrain “You’re my religion” is as close to a spiritual confession as Ozzy will ever get, positioning the audience as his source of faith, strength, and endurance.
Musically, the track thrives on heavy, chugging guitar riffs, a driving beat, and a chorus designed for massive sing-along moments in concert. It’s aggressive yet melodic, with enough hooks to make it a radio favorite while still delivering the bite expected from an Ozzy single.
The accompanying music video, set in a surreal cathedral filled with twisted imagery, plays up the tension between Ozzy’s dark persona and his genuine, almost tender gratitude toward his listeners. It became a visual statement as much as a musical one — a tongue-in-cheek acknowledgment of his legend and the truth beneath it.
Two decades later, “Gets Me Through” stands as one of the defining tracks of Ozzy’s 2000s era: a modern metal anthem with old-school heart, blending sharp riffs, self-aware humor, and a sincere message of thanks to the fans who have stood by him through every twist and turn of his extraordinary career.