A look back at how Black Sabbath’s “Changes” inspired one of Eminem’s most vulnerable tracks — and how Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy lives on.

By Staff Writer
Published: July 24, 2025

Detroit, MI — On a somber day in music history, fans across the world are mourning the passing of Ozzy Osbourne — a rock icon whose voice and legacy shaped generations. Known as the “Prince of Darkness” and the frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy was more than a heavy metal pioneer. He was a survivor. A symbol of transformation. And, as Eminem fans know well, the emotional core of one of hip hop’s most soul-bearing tracks.

Released in 2010 on Eminem’s Recovery, the song “Going Through Changes” stood out for its raw lyricism — a confessional about addiction, loss, and the rocky road to redemption. But what truly elevated the track into something timeless was its sample: “Changes”, a 1972 piano ballad from Black Sabbath, featuring Ozzy Osbourne at his most tender and exposed.

The Unlikely Fusion of Genres

Produced by Emile Haynie, the collaboration between classic rock and hip hop was anything but accidental. In a 2011 interview with Complex, Emile recounted the moment inspiration struck:

“I remember dropping the needle on Black Sabbath’s ‘Changes,’ and [Eminem] walked in the room right as I dropped the needle. And it started playing, and we both looked at each other like, ‘That could be the one.’”

What followed was a deeply introspective track, with Marshall Mathers rapping about the death of his best friend Proof, his struggles with drug abuse, and his desperate need to stay sober for his daughter, Hailie.

“Hailie, this one is for you,
Wherever you are, just know I love you.”

Ozzy’s sampled vocals form the chorus — a plaintive cry that echoes the pain of letting go and moving forward:

“I’m going through changes…”

The effect is chilling. Ozzy’s voice doesn’t just complement the track — it haunts it. It gives Eminem’s words a timeless, almost sacred weight.

A Shared History of Struggle

What made the collaboration — even if indirect — so potent is the lived experience behind both artists. Ozzy Osbourne was no stranger to the chaos of fame, addiction, and personal reinvention. His battles with substance abuse and mental health were well documented, but so were his triumphs. He was a comeback king, rising from the ashes of collapse multiple times over a five-decade career.

In that way, his voice on “Going Through Changes” wasn’t just an artistic sample. It was a mirror. Eminem, at the height of his own recovery, was tapping into the spiritual energy of someone who had walked that same line between brilliance and destruction.

Despite some backlash from Black Sabbath purists who bristled at a rap song using their sacred catalogue, Ozzy himself never publicly objected. If anything, his history suggested he would’ve appreciated the honesty, the fight, the redemption arc.

Reframing a Legacy

Today, as news of Ozzy’s death sends waves across the world, fans are revisiting his work — not just the anthems of rebellion, but the quieter, more emotional chapters. “Changes” — originally written about a father losing his daughter — now carries even greater weight, particularly when filtered through the lens of Eminem’s life story.

In retrospect, “Going Through Changes” was more than a track. It was a passing of the torch between two survivors, two storytellers, and two voices who refused to be silenced by their demons.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do,
But I just keep going through changes.”

As the world says goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne, Eminem’s heartfelt homage — whether he meant it as one or not — becomes an accidental eulogy. A reminder that pain can create beauty. That music transcends genre. And that sometimes, the most powerful tributes come from those who understand the struggle firsthand.

Remembering the Song

🎵 Eminem — “Going Through Changes”
Album: Recovery (2010)
Sample: “Changes” by Black Sabbath (1972)
Producer: Emile Haynie
Themes: Addiction, grief, fatherhood, healing

🎧 Listen now on YouTube
📀 Also available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music

Rest in Peace, Ozzy Osbourne (1948–2025).
Your voice helped generations face the darkness — and walk through it.