An obscure track that initially wasn’t meant for public consumption features the iconic voices of Ozzy Osbourne and Madonna. The song is a remix of the tune “Shake Your Head” by Was (Not Was)” that was first released with actress Kim Basinger’s vocals instead of Madonna’s contribution.
It’s a somewhat complicated story, recently brought to light by Ozzy Osbourne’s eldest son, Louis Osbourne, whose mother is the metal legend’s first wife, Thelma Riley. Louis just appeared on his half-brother Jack Osbourne’s Trying Not to Die podcast, and discussed the song.
As it was, Ozzy recorded vocals for the Was (Not Was) track “Shake Your Head” that was featured on Was (Not Was)’s 1983 album Born to Laugh at Tornadoes, after a then pre-fame Madonna had also laid down vocals for the tune. However, Madonna (or her people) ended up refusing to allow her vocals on the track.
Related Video
“Was (Not Was) did a duet with Madonna,” explained Louis. “It was written for Madonna and Was (Not Was), and it was when dad was pumping in the early ’80s and so was she and she really fucking popped and then didn’t give approval on the record.”
He added, “So that was canned. And then when Kim Basinger was having that big acting moment in the middle of her career in the ’80s, they decided they were going to try and make her a pop star, as well. So they tracked Kim Basinger on it instead.”
However, the Madonna-Ozzy version did end up making it onto a vinyl version of the compilation Now Dance 92. It was believed that the remixer, Steve “Silk” Hurley, was accidentally provided Madonna’s vocals for the compilation, but as Was (Not Was) member and renowned producer Don Was explained recently to Rolling Stone, the band knowingly sent him her original vocal track, along with Ozzy’s.
“[Madonna] did a great job… but it didn’t sound like Was (Not Was) to me anymore,” recalled Was. “We realized about eight years later that we had Ozzy and Madonna on parallel tracks, so we gave it to a remixer… and he turned it into a Ozzy/Madonna duet.”
The Ozzy-Madonna version was quietly uploaded to YouTube a couple years ago, but its existence was only recently spotlighted following Was’ comments. Check it out, along with the Kim Basinger version, and Louis Osbourne’s appearance on Jack Osbourne’s podcast, below.