Well, this song was (and still is) very profound to me. Here's my take:
I was in the prime of my teenage years when this song came out (1988). I was a struggling teenager transitioning from being a kid to becoming an adult. Many teens think they have a lot of problems during this transition. I was one of them. Music is a common way for people 'to keep their sanity'. Well, people often relate to the music they listen to.
I think this song kinda correlated to the John McCollum suicide lawsuit brought against Ozzy around 1987 (Another similar situation around this time occurred with Judas Priest where they were being sued after 2 young men killed themselves listening to their music). The trial was going on probably about the time Ozzy was making the No Rest For The Wicked album (this song was originally hidden on this album).
I think Ozzy wrote this song to say, 'I am not your hero, king, or god. I can't solve your problems so please don't think I can.' He even suggests he's got his own problems, 'don't think you'll ever understand me, I don't even understand me' without being expected to assume the problems of some of his fans (I've got a life of my own).
The reference to 'I don't wanna disappoint the fools no more'... Meaning, don't be foolish enough to think he has the power to whisk away your problems. Or worse, be foolish enough to commit suicide listening to his music.
It's really in his best interest his fans live so they'll continue to buy his music, ha ha (please don't go). Kinda like, 'Be a good fan and enjoy my music, but don't die because of it (Or, make really bad life-choices).'
I think this was a hidden bonus track because they probably weren't sure how it would be received by his fans following the outcome of the trial (around that time). I think it was included on the album to kinda remind fans to enjoy his music, but don't be foolish enough to think he's all so powerful. Plus, I think it was to ensure no other fans in the future would misinterpret his music in such a drastic way. He really doesn't wanna be directly responsible for the lives (or deaths) of his fans.
Well, this song was (and still is) very profound to me. Here's my take:
I was in the prime of my teenage years when this song came out (1988). I was a struggling teenager transitioning from being a kid to becoming an adult. Many teens think they have a lot of problems during this transition. I was one of them. Music is a common way for people 'to keep their sanity'. Well, people often relate to the music they listen to.
I think this song kinda correlated to the John McCollum suicide lawsuit brought against Ozzy around 1987 (Another similar situation around this time occurred with Judas Priest where they were being sued after 2 young men killed themselves listening to their music). The trial was going on probably about the time Ozzy was making the No Rest For The Wicked album (this song was originally hidden on this album).
I think Ozzy wrote this song to say, 'I am not your hero, king, or god. I can't solve your problems so please don't think I can.' He even suggests he's got his own problems, 'don't think you'll ever understand me, I don't even understand me' without being expected to assume the problems of some of his fans (I've got a life of my own).
The reference to 'I don't wanna disappoint the fools no more'... Meaning, don't be foolish enough to think he has the power to whisk away your problems. Or worse, be foolish enough to commit suicide listening to his music. It's really in his best interest his fans live so they'll continue to buy his music, ha ha (please don't go). Kinda like, 'Be a good fan and enjoy my music, but don't die because of it (Or, make really bad life-choices).'
I think this was a hidden bonus track because they probably weren't sure how it would be received by his fans following the outcome of the trial (around that time). I think it was included on the album to kinda remind fans to enjoy his music, but don't be foolish enough to think he's all so powerful. Plus, I think it was to ensure no other fans in the future would misinterpret his music in such a drastic way. He really doesn't wanna be directly responsible for the lives (or deaths) of his fans.
@ysis2 Calling his fans fools, that’s nice.
@ysis2 Calling his fans fools, that’s nice.