The Mystery of Ozzy Osbourne's Omitted Song: 'Shot in the Dark'
In the world of music, it's not uncommon for artists to have songs that don't make the cut for their greatest hits. But for Ozzy Osbourne, the story of his song 'Shot in the Dark' is a bit more intriguing. Despite being his first solo song to chart, it's been notably absent from his best-of compilations for nearly three decades. So, what's the story behind this mysterious omission?
The Chart-Topper That Wasn't
'Shot in the Dark' was released in 1986 and reached No. 68 on the Billboard 100. It's one of only four songs by Osbourne to ever reach higher, with the notable exception of 'Close My Eyes Forever,' a duet with Lita Ford that made it to the Top 10. But why wasn't this hit included in Osbourne's subsequent best-of albums?
The Omission on Compilations
Since 1998, Osbourne has released several career-spanning collections, including 'The Essential Ozzy Osbourne,' 'Prince of Darkness,' and 'Memoirs of a Madman.' However, 'Shot in the Dark' has been conspicuously absent from these releases. It did appear on the original 'The Ozzman Cometh' in 1997, but was replaced by 'Miracle Man' when the album was re-released in 2002.
Live Performances and Video Absence
According to SetList.fm, Osbourne only performed 'Shot in the Dark' live three times between 1993 and 2009. The song's official video is also notably missing from Osbourne's YouTube page, which is otherwise filled with his iconic performances.
Osbourne's Dislike of the Album
Osbourne himself has expressed his dislike for 'The Ultimate Sin,' the album that 'Shot in the Dark' was a part of. In his 2025 book 'Last Rites,' he called it 'hands down the worst album I ever made,' blaming producer Ron Nevison for the lack of imagination in the tracks.
The Song's Origin Story
'Shot in the Dark' was written by guitarist Jake E. Lee and bassist Bob Daisley while Osbourne was in rehab for alcohol abuse. They faced challenges in securing proper songwriting credits, leading to Daisley's departure before recording his bass parts. Osbourne then hired Phil Soussan to replace him.
Soussan delivered a demo of 'Shot in the Dark' to Osbourne, having originally written it for his previous band, Wildlife. The song was eventually released and became a hit, helping 'The Ultimate Sin' achieve double-platinum sales.
Speculation and Counterpoints
There's speculation that the dispute over publishing rights and payments for 'Shot in the Dark' may be the reason it's been omitted from Osbourne's compilations. However, Soussan denies any ongoing issues with Osbourne, apart from a brief disagreement about late payments in the early '90s.
The story of 'Shot in the Dark' is a fascinating one, blending personal dislike, creative differences, and contractual disputes. It's a reminder that even the most iconic songs can have complex and sometimes mysterious histories.
