About the Song
Released in 2019 as the lead single from Ozzy Osbourne’s twelfth studio album Ordinary Man (2020), “Under the Graveyard” marked Ozzy’s first solo single in nearly a decade — and it arrived with surprising vulnerability. Written by Ozzy alongside Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, and Duff McKagan, the track is an unflinching look at the fragility of life, the shadow of mortality, and the fight to find hope in the darkness.
Musically, “Under the Graveyard” starts with a somber, almost ballad-like intro, featuring gentle guitar work from Andrew Watt and restrained percussion from Chad Smith. But midway through, the track surges into a powerful hard rock section, driven by gritty riffs and Duff McKagan’s pulsing bass. This shift mirrors the song’s emotional arc — from quiet introspection to a defiant roar against the inevitability of death.
Lyrically, Ozzy pulls back the curtain on some of his most personal struggles. Lines like “Today I woke up and I hate myself” and “If I don’t believe in me, who will?” offer a rare, raw honesty about depression, self-doubt, and the temptation to give up. Yet, beneath the bleak imagery, there’s also resilience — the will to keep moving forward, even when the weight feels unbearable.
The song’s title, “Under the Graveyard”, becomes a metaphor for being trapped in a place where death feels close, yet life still stubbornly clings on. It’s a theme that resonates strongly given Ozzy’s health challenges in recent years, and it gives the track an authenticity that cuts deep.
As a single, it was widely praised for its emotional depth and for showing that Ozzy, even after decades in music, could still surprise listeners with a song that was both intensely personal and musically dynamic. In live performances, its mix of vulnerability and power makes it a standout, bridging the gap between his classic heavy metal edge and the wisdom of an artist who has stared down his own mortality.
Ultimately, “Under the Graveyard” is more than just a comeback track — it’s a testament to survival. It reminds fans that while the end may loom for all of us, the fight to stay alive — in spirit as well as in body — is what makes life worth living.