You think you know everything there is to know about Ozzy Osbourne, but in the true style of a classic rocker, he’s always bound to continue to keep throwing up surprises. Although it’s hardly rocket science to say that the Black Sabbath frontman has lived a colourful life in both musical and personal terms, there’s nothing quite as fantastical in his back catalogue as some of his collaborations, ranging from Elton John to Post Malone and… Miss Piggy?
Yes, you did read that correctly, the ‘Prince of Darkness’ and The Muppets’ puppet pig did once perform and release a duet, and of Steppenwolf’s 1968 classic ‘Born to be Wild’, no less. It sounds like a fever dream (and trust me, it does make for a hilarious, if slightly surreal, listen), but the trouble is, Osbourne doesn’t seem to remember much of this unlikely sonic pairing.
He may attribute this to his old age, but it is more than likely something that he would like to block out from his memory, as the 1994 single is hardly one of his most dazzling efforts. Indeed, the term duet is used quite generously here, as the song plays out more as Osbourne singing and Miss Piggy providing a slightly bizarre commentary in the background with comments such as “Oh, that’s so beautiful”, before fending off a kiss at the end and escaping from the supposed studio. It really is as bizarre as it sounds.
In this sense, it was only fair that Osbourne got the chance to set the record straight about his collaboration with the sassy pig. So, ‘Prince of Darkness’, take it away, what was the real truth? “Believe me, I’m not a big Miss fucking Piggy fan,” he blatantly told Esquire. “You’ve got to be careful about what you do. Whatever you put on a track, somebody somewhere will put it out someday”. For all intents and purposes, it sounds as if Osbourne was ready to start some beef with the pig, but it still doesn’t explain the reason behind how the collab came to be.
To be entirely fair, it’s not as if Osbourne knows the answer to that one, either. His only offering in terms of an explanation was: “I don’t remember everything I recorded, but you’ll hear it. When I was fucked up all the time I did some crazy shit, you know?”, and with that, you kind of have to accept his point. This is a man who’s survived so many lives he could give cats a run for their money, and on the whole, one stupid collaboration with a cartoon character from three decades ago isn’t going to weigh heavily on his mind.
That said, as much as it may be a part of his discography, the classic rocker is more than willing to forget; it doesn’t stop us trawling through the deepest, darkest archives of the internet to rediscover this unlikely gem. Listen, it may never have had the makings of a number one hit, but there’s no denying that the inclusion of Jim Henson’s magical puppet ensemble is bound to improve anything they touch—and in this case, even the ‘Prince of Darkness’ aura.
Picture the scene: as the crowds pour into Villa Park in just a few weeks’ time, eagerly anticipating what surprises lie ahead in Black Sabbath’s fond farewell to the stage, there could just be room for perhaps the biggest shock of them all. Step aside, Metallica, Slayer, and Sammy Hagar, because Miss Piggy might just arrive to blow the roof off.
