Shake Your Head: The Unlikely Collaboration of Ozzy Osbourne and Madonna
In 1983, the band Was (Not Was) recorded a track called Shake Your Head for their second album, Born To Laugh At Tornadoes. They enlisted Ozzy Osbourne and Madonna to provide vocals for the song. While Ozzy's vocals made it to the final version, Madonna's contributions were not used as it didn't fit the band's style. The track was later re-recorded in 1992 for the compilation album Hello Dad... I'm in Jail, with Kim Basinger replacing Madonna. The song became a hit, reaching the top five in the UK. A remixer later created a version of the song as an Ozzy/Madonna duet, showcasing the parallel tracks of the two iconic artists.
In a recent interview, Don Was, a member of Was (Not Was), shared an anecdote about meeting Ozzy Osbourne in 1974 when he was playing bass for Ted Lucas. They opened for Black Sabbath, and the performance didn't go as planned, with the audience reacting negatively to their folk music style. Despite the challenging situation, they managed to play a few songs before having to leave the stage due to the drummer's injury. The encounter with Ozzy at that time laid the groundwork for their later collaboration on Shake Your Head.
The story of Ozzy Osbourne and Madonna's involvement in the song Shake Your Head highlights the unexpected twists and turns that can occur in the music industry. The collaboration between the two artists, although not fully realized, adds an intriguing layer to the history of the track. The remixer's creation of an Ozzy/Madonna duet version further emphasizes the unique nature of the original recording. The journey of Shake Your Head from its initial recording to its eventual success showcases the creative process and the diverse talents involved in making music.