Ozzy Osbourne surprised a lot of fans when he shared that his favorite song of all time isn’t one of his own hits or even a Black Sabbath classic. Instead, he chose the haunting 1967 track “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum. Ozzy said the song’s dreamy Hammond-organ melody and its bittersweet mood really speak to him on a deep level.
Even though he’s often named The Beatles as his favorite band, Ozzy admitted that picking the Procol Harum tune “even shocked myself.” It was an unexpected choice, but a meaningful one.
At one point, Ozzy thought about recording his own version for his 2005 covers album Under Cover. However, he soon found out that his longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde had just recorded it with his band Black Label Society in 2004. Out of respect and because of timing, Ozzy decided to leave it off his album. He later explained that the original song was so perfect he didn’t want to release “a poor copy.”
First released in May 1967, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” quickly became a classic, topping the UK charts for six weeks and reaching No. 5 in the US. The song has sold over ten million copies worldwide and inspired thousands of covers. Its beautiful melody, inspired by Bach, became a defining sound of the ‘60s baroque-pop era and helped shape the spirit of the Summer of Love. Ozzy said that even now, hearing it still gives him chills.
This revelation shows a different side of Ozzy—beyond the heavy metal legend known for wild guitars and powerful vocals. He connected deeply with a gentle, poetic song that might seem far removed from his usual style. For Ozzy, Procol Harum’s masterpiece wasn’t just a song—it was a true work of art that touched his soul.