Don't mess with rock 'n' roll

In 2002 Ozzy Osbourne was George W. Bush's guest at the White House and, despite widespread condemnation among America's religious right, Ozzy was clearly guest of honour with Bush claimed to have announced "The thing about Ozzy is, he's made a lot of big hit recordings: Party With the Animals, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Face in Hell, Black Skies and Bloodbath in Paradise, Ozzy, Mom loves your stuff". It seems the respect and adulation is not reciprocated as Ozzy has launched a rather scathing attack on the Bush regime's record.

Listening to his new album Black Rain, I was struck by the sharp political message, one that is almost a personal message to Bush, in the song The Almighty Dollar; take the following verse for example:

Burn into the air and atmosphere
Watching the rain come down.
Turn your head away, ignore the fear.
Watching the ice crash down.
Our father’s justice gets closer,
How could you screw us all over?
Rape, steal, and murder,
God bless the Almighty Dollar.

While the comment is on the lack of care for the environment shown by the Bush administration, the 'how could you' reference almost suggests that Ozzy expected better. It is not the first time that Ozzy Osbourne has offered anti-war or pro-environmental messages within his lyrics, my favourite remains the opening of the song War Pigs:

Generals gathered in their masses,

just like witches at black masses.

Evil minds that plot destruction,

sorcerers of death's construction.

The new album may have a wider audience due to Ozzy and his wife having a high profile. Equally his apolitical image may mean that the message can break through the clutter of persuasive messages and have an impact on his new fans. Whatever it is a message that is constructed in an interesting way.