Introduction
Country superstar Carrie Underwood might be known for her powerful vocals and chart-topping hits, but did you know she harbors a deep love for rock music, especially the legendary Ozzy Osbourne? It’s a fascinating contrast to her upbringing in a religious, rural household, yet it’s a passion she’s openly embraced.
Underwood’s affinity for rock isn’t a new revelation for longtime fans. She frequently incorporates Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle” into her live shows and even brought out none other than Axl Rose during her headlining performance at Stagecoach 2023.
Her admiration for the “Prince of Darkness” was on full display during a 2023 appearance on The Howard Stern Show. After performing two of her own tracks, “Blown Away” and “She Don’t Know,” Stern, an admitted Ozzy fan himself, expressed his excitement for her next song, asking, “I love Ozzy, don’t you love Ozzy?”
Underwood then shared a personal anecdote about discovering Osbourne’s music as a teenager, despite her mother’s disapproval. She defended his work, stating, “I feel like you need to listen to some of these lyrics because it’s not all darkness. There are some love songs and things that are a lot more melodic and sweet.” When Stern inquired about Ozzy’s distinctive vocal style, she observed, “He’s got a thing, and he sounds a certain way, and it is very distinguishable… He’s always sounded the same.”
Before launching into her cover, the “Before He Cheats” singer revealed her practice of seeking permission from the original artists when covering their songs on tour. For her Stern Show performance, she confirmed they had reached out to the Osbournes. “I just want to be respectful and we had asked permission and Sharon was very, very sweet about it,” Underwood explained. Sharon, of course, was Ozzy’s wife of 43 years, who was by his side when he passed away on July 22, 2025.
Underwood then delivered a stunning rendition of “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” the touching ballad Osbourne wrote for his wife and released in 1991. The power ballad perfectly showcased Underwood’s vocal range, impressing Stern so much that he asked her and her band to sing the harmonies again.
You can watch Carrie Underwood’s incredible cover of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and witness her rock and roll spirit below!