No one saw it coming — but the moment Carrie Underwood began singing “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” everything stopped.

Back in 2023, during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, the country megastar delivered a hauntingly beautiful version of Ozzy Osbourne’s 1991 ballad. At the time, it was a heartfelt salute. But now, after Ozzy’s passing on July 22, 2025, the performance feels like something more — a goodbye we didn’t know we’d need.

🎸 A Country Star with Rock in Her Soul

Carrie Underwood might wear cowboy boots on stage, but her heart beats to a heavier rhythm. A lifelong fan of rock music, Carrie revealed during the interview that her admiration for Ozzy Osbourne goes way back — even when it wasn’t exactly “approved” in her Oklahoma household.

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

But that didn’t stop her. She grew to appreciate not just the grit and darkness of Ozzy’s sound, but also the unexpected tenderness buried in songs like “Mama, I’m Coming Home” — a track he wrote for his beloved wife, Sharon.

💔 A Tribute That Cuts Deep

Before performing, Carrie shared how important it was for her to do it right.

“We had asked permission, and Sharon was very, very sweet about it,” she said.

Then, with nothing but her voice, her band, and pure emotion, she began to sing.

The result? A hush fell over the room. Carrie’s voice — soft, aching, and reverent — wrapped around every lyric like a quiet prayer. By the final chorus, even the band behind her was holding back tears. It wasn’t just a cover. It was a love letter to Ozzy’s legacy, and unknowingly, a farewell before the world would lose the Prince of Darkness.

🎙 Howard Stern’s Reaction: “That Was So Beautiful”

The moment left even Howard Stern speechless. So moved by what he’d just heard, he asked Carrie and her band to repeat the harmonies:

“Can you do those harmonies again?” he said. “That was so beautiful.”

Carrie smiled — and did it again, letting the emotion echo just a little longer.

Fans online echoed Stern’s sentiment. One YouTube viewer commented,
“Ozzy would be proud. That cover gave me chills.”

🔥 Carrie’s Ongoing Rock Rebellion

This wasn’t Carrie’s first rock ‘n’ roll moment — and it won’t be her last. She famously brought out Axl Rose during her headlining set at Stagecoach 2023, surprising fans with a live duet of “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Her setlists often include a fiery cover of “Welcome to the Jungle,” proving her love for rock isn’t just a phase — it’s part of who she is.

Carrie Underwood continues to blur genre lines with confidence and grace, honoring the greats while forging a path that’s completely her own.

And now, her rendition of “Mama, I’m Coming Home” stands as one of the most touching tributes to Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy — a performance that captures both the heartbreak of loss and the enduring power of music.

🎥 Watch the full performance below — but be warned, you might need tissues.