| Solitude | |
| Type: | song |
| Artist: | Black Sabbath |
| Album: | Master of Reality |
| A-Side: | Children of the Grave |
| Recorded: | 1971 |
| Genre: | Psychedelic folk[1] |
| Label: | Vertigo |
| Producer: | Rodger Bain |
"Solitude" is a song by English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was first released on their 1971 album Master of Reality, and later as the B-side to the single, "Children of the Grave".[2]
This song is about being depressed after breaking up with somebody. A delay effect was added to Ozzy Osbourne’s vocals on this song to provide the effect of a second vocal track. This song features the multi-instrumentalist talents of Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi (who also plays flute & piano on the recording).[3]
On the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time, author Brett Schewitz wrote, "The song that surprised me most was ‘Solitude.’ Another quieter song, Ozzy’s voice is the most beautiful I’ve ever heard it. I actually had to check that it was, in fact, him singing. A quick Google tells me that I wasn’t the only one that thought this."[4]
Loudwire ranks "Solitude" in the top 30 (29th place) amongst all 79 songs made by Black Sabbath under singer Ozzy Osbourne.[5]
"Solitude" was covered by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver in 2007, and released on the group's seventh album Shadows of the Sun[6]
Norwegian progressive metal band Green Carnation included a cover of the song on their 2020 album Leaves of Yesteryear.[7]
Another cover was released by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth on their eleventh album Pale Communion in 2014.[8]