No More Tears

Ozzy Osbourne has explicitly stated that the song “No More Tears” is written from the perspective of a serial killer. The lyrics delve into the dark and macabre thoughts of a stalker who is observing and ultimately planning to murder their victim. The central theme revolves around the finality of this act.

The recurring phrase, 'No more tears,' serves as a powerful and chilling double entendre. On one hand, it signifies the end of the victim's life and, consequently, their ability to cry or feel pain. The killer sees the murder as a way to stop their suffering, bringing an end to all their tears. On the other hand, it can also reflect the killer's own state of mind—a cold, remorseless detachment where they no longer feel empathy or shed tears for their actions.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the killer's methodical and detached process, from watching 'the light in the window' to anticipating 'the sound of someone screaming.' There's an exploration of identity and madness, particularly in lines like, 'I look in the mirror and I see a stranger,' suggesting a deep psychological divide within the narrator. The song captures a grim narrative of obsession, paranoia, and the ultimate, irreversible act of violence, making it one of Osbourne's darkest lyrical works.

The narrative begins from a shadowy, predatory perspective. The observer watches a potential victim, seeing the light in their window not as a beacon of safety, but as a 'crack in the sky,' a fragile entry point into a world of darkness. This vision is instantaneous, a 'stairway to darkness in the blink of an eye.' The victim is oblivious, having shed so many tears in their life that they are now emotionally numb, unaware that their time is running out. The narrator, however, has reached a point of finality, declaring 'no more tears.' This declaration carries a double meaning: the end of the victim's suffering and the end of the narrator's own emotional turmoil or empathy.

As the night deepens, the scene shifts to a more direct stalking scenario. The 'red light' signifies a beginning, a time for action in the shadows. The narrator sees another figure, 'the man around the corner,' and questions if he is also being watched, creating a paranoid, multi-layered threat. This introduces a sense of twisted self-awareness; the narrator closes their eyes, anticipating the scream of another, a sound that fuels the cycle. The recurring refrain 'no more tears' is repeated with growing intensity, reinforcing the cold, resolute nature of the act to come.

The song's bridge offers a moment of introspection, a look in the mirror where the narrator confronts a stranger—their own dark alter ego. There's a chilling question posed: 'do you think your life's in danger?' It's a moment of dissociation, where the killer questions their own identity and the peril they represent. This internal conflict speaks to a loss of self, a journey 'forward in reverse,' suggesting a regression into a primal, violent state. The phrase 'falling from grace' implies a past innocence that has been irrevocably lost. Despite this internal chaos, the external mission remains clear. The story is an unending nightmare from which there is no escape, a lesson taught by a 'hand in the bush.' The finality is stark: once this path is chosen, there is no turning back. The narrative concludes with the idea that this act is the only way to say goodbye, a definitive, brutal end that will leave no more room for sorrow or pain, for either the victim or the perpetrator.

The creation of “No More Tears” was a spontaneous and collaborative effort that occurred during rehearsals for the album of the same name. According to guitarist Zakk Wylde, the song originated from a jam session. Mike Inez, who would later join Alice in Chains, was auditioning for the role of bassist. During the audition, he began playing the song's iconic and hypnotic opening bass riff. Drummer Randy Castillo and keyboardist John Purdell joined in, and the foundation of the track was born.

Ozzy Osbourne himself considers the song 'a gift from God,' as stated in the liner notes for his Prince of Darkness box set. The song was co-written by Osbourne, Zakk Wylde, Randy Castillo, Mike Inez, and producer John Purdell. Interestingly, while Inez wrote the signature bass intro and is credited as a writer, the bass on the actual album recording was performed by longtime Osbourne collaborator Bob Daisley. Inez, however, was an official band member and appeared in the music videos and promotional tours for the album.

The album No More Tears marked a significant period in Osbourne's life as it was the first he recorded while sober, a major life change after over two decades of substance abuse. This newfound clarity and focus, supported by the creative energy of his band, contributed to the album's immense success. The album was produced by John Purdell and Duane Baron and was released on September 17, 1991.

“No More Tears” features a powerful interplay between its lyrical rhythm and its complex musical structure. The song's rhythmic foundation is established by the iconic, syncopated bass line in the introduction, which creates a loping, almost hypnotic groove that persists through the verses.

The song is primarily in a 4/4 time signature with a tempo that drives forward relentlessly. The verses are rhythmically sparse, allowing Ozzy's vocals to deliver the narrative with clarity and menace over the pulsating bass and drums. The pre-chorus builds tension with more insistent guitar chords and a steady drum pattern, leading into the explosive, anthemic chorus where the rhythm becomes more straightforward and powerful.

The song's lyrical rhyme scheme is relatively simple and direct, often following an AABB or ABCB pattern in the verses (e.g., 'in'/'begin', 'me'/'here'). This simplicity makes the dark narrative easy to follow and adds to its impactful, storyteller-like quality. The repetition of the title phrase 'No more tears' in the chorus acts as a rhythmic and lyrical anchor, reinforcing the song's central theme with heavy, percussive emphasis.

A significant rhythmic shift occurs during the extended instrumental bridge. The tempo and feel change dramatically, moving into a more atmospheric and less rhythmically defined section before building into the frenetic pace of the guitar solo. This structural complexity, moving from a steady rock groove to a more progressive and free-form middle section and back again, is a key element of the song's epic feel.

“No More Tears” is distinguished by its unique musical and literary techniques that create its epic and menacing atmosphere.

Musical Techniques:

• Iconic Bass Introduction: The song begins with a highly recognizable, melodic, and technically intricate bass line composed by Mike Inez. Played with a flanger effect, it sets a hypnotic and ominous tone, acting as the central musical hook.
• Dynamic Song Structure: At 7 minutes and 23 seconds, it is one of Osbourne's longest tracks and features a multi-part structure. It moves beyond a standard verse-chorus format, incorporating a distinct, lengthy instrumental bridge.
• Contrasting Middle Section: The song features a dramatic instrumental bridge that shifts the mood entirely. It begins with a psychedelic, Beatles-esque passage with orchestral keyboards before building into a climactic and ferocious guitar solo by Zakk Wylde. This contrast makes the return to the final verse feel even more powerful.
• Aggressive Guitar Work: Zakk Wylde's guitar playing is a defining feature. He employs heavy, crunching riffs, pinched harmonics, and an aggressive, technically proficient solo that showcases his signature style. The rhythm parts often use drop tuning, giving the song its weighty sound.
• Layered Instrumentation: The production, handled by Duane Baron and John Purdell, masterfully layers keyboards and orchestral sounds over the heavy rock foundation. This adds a cinematic and gothic quality to the track, enhancing its dramatic tension.

Literary Techniques:

• First-Person Narrative: The lyrics are written from the first-person point of view of a serial killer, which provides an unsettling and intimate look into the character's psyche.
• Dark Imagery: The song is filled with dark and violent imagery, such as 'a crack in the sky,' 'a stairway to darkness,' and the sound of 'someone screaming here,' which creates a palpable sense of dread.
• Rhetorical Questions: The line 'Look in the mirror, tell me, do you think your life's in danger?' is a chilling rhetorical question that highlights the killer's fractured identity and self-awareness.

“No More Tears” had a significant cultural impact, solidifying Ozzy Osbourne's relevance in the 1990s and becoming one of the most iconic songs of his solo career. Released as the title track from his sixth album, the song was a commercial success, reaching number five on the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album itself is one of Osbourne's best-selling, certified quadruple-platinum in the US, marking a commercial peak for him. Coming at a time when the music landscape was shifting towards grunge and alternative rock, the success of No More Tears demonstrated Ozzy's enduring appeal and ability to create powerful, relevant heavy metal. Many critics and fans view the album as a 'resurrection' for Osbourne, who had recently gotten sober and was determined to prove his creative power.

The song is frequently cited for its masterful composition, particularly Mike Inez's legendary bass intro and Zakk Wylde's epic guitar solo. It remains a staple of classic rock radio and is a fan favorite at live shows. Its legacy is also cemented by its inclusion in other media; for instance, it was featured in the 2000 Adam Sandler film Little Nicky, where Ozzy Osbourne makes a cameo appearance. The music video, which features a young Kelly Osbourne, also received significant airplay on MTV. Ultimately, “No More Tears” stands as a landmark track in 90s metal and a high point in Osbourne's extensive discography.

The lyrics of “No More Tears” are rich with dark symbolism and metaphors that enhance its chilling narrative from a killer's perspective.

• 'The light in the window is a crack in the sky': This opening line uses a powerful metaphor to twist an image of warmth and safety into one of vulnerability. The 'light' is not a beacon of home but a 'crack' in the victim's defenses, a fragile point of entry for the darkness the killer represents. It symbolizes the fragility of life and safety.
• 'A stairway to darkness': This phrase transforms the act of looking through a window into a descent into a hellish, violent outcome. It symbolizes the irreversible path the killer is about to take, leading the victim from life to death.
• 'No More Tears': The title itself is the central, recurring motif and a grim metaphor for death. It represents the finality of the killer's act, which will permanently end the victim's suffering, sorrow, and life itself. It is the ultimate cessation of all emotion and pain.
• 'The man around the corner': This could be a literal representation of an accomplice or another victim, but it more likely symbolizes the killer's own paranoia or perhaps his own detached, predatory self—the part of him that is always watching and waiting.
• 'Going forward in reverse': This oxymoron symbolizes a complete moral and psychological regression. While the killer is moving forward in time towards the act, they are devolving as a human being, losing their 'grace' and humanity.
• 'A hand in the bush': This phrase, whispered at the end of the song by Ozzy's daughter Kelly in the music video, is a dark twist on the proverb 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' In this context, it could symbolize the grim certainty of the victim's fate (the one 'in the hand') versus other potential victims. It implies that this act is just one part of a larger, horrific pattern.

The most significant recurring element in “No More Tears” is the lyrical and musical motif of the title phrase itself.

• Lyrical Phrase: 'No more tears'
  This phrase is the emotional and thematic core of the song. It appears at the end of the first verse and becomes the central hook of the powerful chorus. Its repetition serves to hammer home the killer's cold resolution. Each time it's repeated, it reinforces the finality of the impending violence—the end of the victim's pain and life. The chant-like delivery in the chorus transforms it from a simple statement into a dark, resolute anthem.
• Musical Motif: The Introductory Bassline
  The song's opening bass riff, composed by Mike Inez, is its primary musical motif. This distinctive, winding melody is instantly recognizable and serves as the song's foundation. It reappears after the first chorus and after the main solo, bringing the listener back to the song's ominous, stalking atmosphere. The bassline is not just an introduction but a recurring theme that represents the persistent, underlying threat of the narrator.
• Musical Motif: The Keyboard Theme
  John Purdell's keyboard melody in the chorus provides a recurring counterpoint to the heavy guitars and vocals. This majestic, almost gothic theme adds a layer of dramatic, cinematic scope to the song. It contrasts with the gritty narrative, elevating the chorus to an epic scale and recurring with each repetition to signal a peak in the song's emotional intensity.