Carrie Underwood Honors Ozzy Osbourne with Soulful Rendition of “Mama, I’m Coming Home”
As the world continues to remember the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, a stirring tribute by Carrie Underwood has taken on new meaning. The country icon performed a heartfelt version of Osbourne’s 1991 hit “Mama, I’m Coming Home” during a guest spot on The Howard Stern Show in 2023—well before the Prince of Darkness passed away—but the performance now echoes with even greater emotion.
Underwood, widely known for her powerhouse vocals and chart-topping country hits, has always worn her rock roots on her sleeve. Though she was raised in a conservative Christian household in rural Oklahoma, her personal playlist was anything but limited—and Ozzy held a special place in her musical heart.
During her conversation with Stern, Carrie opened up about how her mother disapproved of her early interest in Osbourne’s music.
“I was a teenager figuring out who I was musically, and my mom really didn’t want me listening to Ozzy,” she shared with a laugh. “But I connected with his music. It wasn’t all darkness—there was a lot of beauty and vulnerability in his work, especially in songs like ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home.’”
Her live rendition on the show showcased that very vulnerability. With stripped-down instrumentals and an emotionally charged delivery, Carrie brought fresh tenderness to the rock ballad, bridging the worlds of country and classic metal in a way that only she could.
Though recorded over a year before Osbourne’s passing, the tribute now feels like a spiritual farewell—one artist saluting another, across genres and generations.