"Mr. Crowley" is a song by English heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne, about English occultist Aleister Crowley. Written by Osbourne, guitarist Randy Rhoads and bass guitarist/lyricist Bob Daisley, it was released on Osbourne's debut solo album Blizzard of Ozz in September 1980 in the United Kingdom. A live version was released as a UK single in November 1980. In North America, the studio version was released as a single in 1981.
The song begins with a keyboard solo by Don Airey. "I just cleared [the band] out of the studio and said, 'Come back in half an hour,'" he recalled. "Ozzy came back, heard it, and said, 'You just plugged into my head, man.'"
The first guitar solo by Randy Rhoads became one of the best known in heavy metal. It was ranked 28th best guitar solo by the readers of Guitar World in 2011.100 Greatest Guitar Solos . guitar.about.com The song was ranked the 23rd greatest heavy metal song of all time, according to a 2011 reader poll by Gibson.
Overview "Mr. Crowley" was the second of two singles from Blizzard of Ozz, after "Crazy Train". It was inspired by Aleister Crowley's book The Diary of a Drug Fiend that Osbourne had read, and a deck of tarot cards found in the studio as recording of the album was commencing. Crowley was an English occultist and ceremonial magician who had founded the Thelemite religion in the early 20th century.
In popular culture The song was included in Guitar Hero World Tour, along with "Crazy Train" and an in-game avatar of Ozzy himself, who becomes unlocked as a playable character upon completing both songs in the vocalist career, and was made available to download on 31 May 2011 for Rock Band 3. The song was also featured in Brütal Legend.
Personnel 1980 studio version Randy Rhoads – guitar Bob Daisley – bass guitar Lee Kerslake – drums Don Airey – keyboard/piano Ozzy Osbourne – lead vocals
1981 live version (music video version) Randy Rhoads – guitar Rudy Sarzo – bass guitar Tommy Aldridge – drums Don Airey – keyboard/piano Ozzy Osbourne – lead vocals
Charts + 2025 weekly chart performance for "Mr. Crowley" Chart (2025) Peakposition Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) 17
Certifications
See also Mr. Crowley Live EP
References