As fans around the world mourn the loss of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, Carrie Underwood delivered an emotional and respectful tribute by performing his 1991 ballad “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” The moment took place during her 2023 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, long before Osbourne’s passing — but now resonates even more deeply.

Carrie Underwood’s Lifelong Love for Rock Music

While Carrie Underwood rose to fame as a country superstar, she’s never hidden her love for hard rock and metal music. Growing up in a religious household in Oklahoma, her musical influences spanned genres — and Ozzy Osbourne was at the top of her list.

During the interview with Howard Stern, Carrie said:

“I remember being a teenager discovering my own musical taste, and my mom being very much against me listening to Ozzy.”

Despite that, she stood by her admiration for Osbourne’s artistry, explaining that his catalog includes not only heavy riffs and dark themes, but also emotional, melodic songs like “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”

An Emotional Tribute to the “Prince of Darkness”

Carrie’s performance was more than a cover — it was a deeply personal and powerful moment. Before singing, she explained how much she respects Ozzy and wanted to honor him properly.

“I just want to be respectful. We had asked permission, and Sharon was very, very sweet about it,” Underwood said, referring to Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife of 43 years, who remained by his side until his death on July 22, 2025.

Carrie’s rendition of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” highlighted the emotional depth of the original. The song, written by Ozzy and Zakk Wylde, was originally a tribute to Sharon and became one of the most enduring ballads in rock history.

With her soaring vocals, Underwood brought the lyrics to life in a new way, blending power with vulnerability.

Howard Stern Reacts: “Do That Again”

After the performance, Howard Stern was visibly moved and asked Underwood and her band to repeat the harmonies, saying: