"Changes" is a song by Black Sabbath. It first appeared on Vol. 4, which was released in 1972. Pitchfork author Stephen Deusner labeled it as one of Black Sabbath's best songs.
The song's piano melody was composed by guitarist Tony Iommi, who was experimenting with the instrument in the studio. The lyrics were by bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne has referred to the song as "heartbreaking". Quite different from Sabbath's previous work, the song was described as a "forlornly pretty" ballad by critic Barney Hoskyns. It was inspired mainly by drummer Bill Ward's breakup with his first wife.
Three decades later, Ozzy recorded another version of the song, this time with his daughter, Kelly Osbourne as a duet. The revised lyrics for this version, released on 8 December 2003, reflect the moments of their life together. The single reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the second father-daughter duet to top the chart after Frank and Nancy Sinatra did so with "Somethin' Stupid" in 1967. "Changes" also reached the top 20 in Germany, Ireland, and Norway.
According to the Ozzy Osbourne official website, the single sold over one million copies.[8] This version of the song was ranked number 27 on the "50 Worst Songs of the '00s" list in a 2009 Village Voice article.
Lyrics
I feel unhappy I feel so sad I lost the best friend That I ever had She was my woman I loved her so But it's too late now I've let her go I'm going through changes I'm going through changes We shared the years We shared each day In love together We found a way But soon the world Had its evil way My heart was blinded Love went astray I'm going through changes I'm going through changes It took so long To realize That I can still hear Her last goodbyes Now all my days Are filled with tears Wish I could go back And change these years I'm going through changes I'm going through changes