Among the many defining moments in the long and storied career of Ozzy Osbourne, few songs capture his creative and emotional depth quite like “No More Tears.” Released in 1991 as the title track of his sixth solo album, the song marked not only a musical evolution but also a moment of surprising introspection from an artist often known for chaos, spectacle, and rebellion. Clocking in at over seven minutes, it stands as one of the longest and most ambitious studio recordings Ozzy ever released—and one of the most critically acclaimed.
“No More Tears” was co-written by Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde (guitar), Mike Inez (bass), Randy Castillo (drums), and producer John Purdell, and it showcases an unusual balance of brooding atmosphere, progressive structure, and heavy metal thunder. The song opens with a hypnotic bass riff—composed by Inez before he later joined Alice in Chains—a swirling, watery groove that immediately sets a mood of tension and mystery. From there, the song unfolds like a journey, building in power and complexity, never rushing, never relying on clichés.
Lyrically, “No More Tears” explores the dark inner world of someone trapped by guilt, fate, and destructive impulses. Though the lyrics are ambiguous, they’ve long been rumored to reference themes of psychological torment, and possibly even the mind of a killer. Lines like “The light in the window is a crack in the sky / A stairway to darkness in the blink of an eye” are poetic and ominous, blending existential dread with cinematic imagery.
But while the song’s subject matter is undeniably heavy, it is not without its moments of transcendence. The recurring chorus—“No more tears”—feels like both a cry of defiance and a weary surrender. It’s the sound of someone who has suffered long enough, finally facing the end of their struggle with clarity, or perhaps resignation.
What elevates “No More Tears” beyond its lyrical content is the sheer craftsmanship of the performance. Zakk Wylde’s guitar work is nothing short of masterful, alternating between crunchy rhythm parts and soaring, expressive solos. His extended lead near the midpoint of the song is one of the most celebrated of his career—both virtuosic and emotionally charged, it carries the weight of the narrative without ever losing its melodic clarity.
Ozzy’s vocal performance, too, deserves special praise. His voice is not screaming or snarling here—it’s controlled, measured, and full of gravitas. He doesn’t sound like a caricature of a rock god, but rather a man reckoning with the darkness he’s both witnessed and endured. There’s maturity in his phrasing, and a vulnerability rarely associated with his public persona.
The song was a commercial and critical success, helping to drive the No More Tears album to multi-platinum status. It peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and became a staple of Ozzy’s live shows for decades. The album itself remains one of the most celebrated of his solo career, featuring additional hits like “Mama, I’m Coming Home”, “Road to Nowhere”, and “Mr. Tinkertrain.” But it is “No More Tears” that truly anchors the collection—its ambition, depth, and emotional weight giving it a timeless quality.
More than three decades later, “No More Tears” continues to resonate with longtime fans and new listeners alike. It’s not simply a heavy metal epic; it’s a meditation on guilt, sorrow, and the search for redemption. It proves that Ozzy Osbourne, despite his outrageous image and wild history, is not just a performer—but an artist capable of grappling with life’s darkest truths through music.
In the end, “No More Tears” is not a farewell or a final scream. It’s a reckoning. A statement of survival. A testament that even in the heart of heaviness, there is a way forward—and perhaps, peace at last.