Shot in the Dark (song)

"Shot in the Dark" is a song most famously performed by heavy metal solo artist Ozzy Osbourne. It is the ninth and final track on his 1986 album The Ultimate Sin. A top-ten hit on Mainstream rock radio, the song also became his most successful single on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time, peaking at number 68.[2] The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan.[3]

"Shot in the Dark"
Single by Ozzy Osbourne
from the album The Ultimate Sin
Released	1986
Format	7", 12"
Genre	Heavy metal, glam metal[1]
Length	4:26
Label	CBS Associated
Songwriter(s)	Phil Soussan Ozzy Osbourne
Producer(s)	Ron Nevison
Ozzy Osbourne singles chronology
"So Tired" (1983) "Shot in the Dark" (1986) "The Ultimate Sin" (1986)

Whilst the song is most commonly attributed to Ozzy Osbourne, the writing of the song originated with bassist Phil Soussan, who was part of the band Wildlife in the early 1980s and composed the tune's melody. Subsequently, fellow Wildlife bandmates Steve Overland and Chris Overland wrote the original lyrics and arrangement and demoed a derivative version of the song. Meanwhile, when Soussan joined Ozzy's band several years later, his original version of the song was re-worked with Ozzy. [4] However, people have not only disputed whether the Overland brothers deserve writing credit for Osbourne's version, but also questioned Osbourne's role in the writing of this version. This authorship issue has become a source of contention over the years, and in spite of its success, the song has rarely appeared on Ozzy Osbourne greatest hits compilations as a result. One exception was the original release of The Ozzman Cometh; however, the song was omitted from the 2002 re-mastered re-release of this compilation and replaced with "Miracle Man." Both Just Say Ozzy (an EP containing an alternate version of "Shot in the Dark") and The Ultimate Sin were deleted from Ozzy's catalog in 2002 (although they are now available on iTunes and all digital outlets).

Original un-edited studio recording of "Shot in the Dark" (4:26) appears only on 1986's singles and "The Ultimate Sin" album original release. All future reissues including "Shot in the Dark" are edited to 4:16 version (16 beats, 4 measures, of music are chopped out after the first chorus). Those appear on 1995 remaster of "The Ultimate Sin" and original 1997 release of "The Ozzman Cometh" compilation.

The Wildlife version of the song was covered by the Overland brothers' post-Wildlife AOR band FM on their 2012 release Only Foolin' EP.[5] The song was also covered by Finnish melodic rock band Stala & So. on their 2013 album Play Another Round (as bonus track) and by Children of Bodom as a bonus track on their 2000 record Follow the Reaper.