No More Tears

Ozzy Osbourne, 1991. Solo by Zakk Wylde.

Pinch harmonics and heavy vibrato on a Bullseye Les Paul.

Zakk Wylde recorded this solo in a single, largely improvised take, and when there was talk of redoing it, the band decided the first pass could not be beaten. He took inspiration from the song's piano section and closed with a more structured pentatonic phrase. On a Les Paul Custom with EMG pickups through Marshall JCM800 heads, he skipped his usual wah and used a Boss overdrive and chorus, with a digital delay added to the tail at mixdown. His pinch harmonics and heavy vibrato are all over it, and they announced a strong new voice in Ozzy's band. Listen for the squealing pinch harmonics against the wide vibrato; together they give Wylde's playing its unmistakable bite.

No More Tears by Ozzy Osbourne is ranked #47 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Zakk Wylde and the song was released in 1991. It appears on 11 lists, placing as high as #6 (Alternative Nation).

The story of No More Tears

The title track of Ozzy Osbourne's sixth solo album grew out of a loose rehearsal jam. Zakk Wylde recalled that bassist Mike Inez began playing the now-famous bass line, Randy Castillo joined on drums, and co-producer John Purdell added a keyboard part; the song was built up from there. All five share the writing credit, and Osbourne later called it a gift from God.

Lyrically the song is dark storytelling. Osbourne said in 2002 that it concerns a serial killer, and the words follow a predator preying on women, framed with grim irony. The No More Tears album as a whole was lighter on occult imagery than earlier releases, and it was the first record Osbourne made sober after two decades of substance abuse.

Recording ran through 1990 and 1991 at A&M and Devonshire Studios in Los Angeles, with Purdell and Duane Baron producing. Although Inez wrote the intro bass riff and earned a credit, he does not actually play on the finished recording. The song's long middle section, featuring piano and a slower, orchestral feel, gave the track a progressive side unusual for Osbourne.

Epic issued the song as a single on 16 September 1991, a day before the album's US release. It reached No. 5 on the Mainstream Rock chart and No. 32 in the UK. The video featured model Mariah O'Brien sinking under rising water, with a young Kelly Osbourne appearing as an angel at the end. The album reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and sold over four million copies in the US.

The solo

Zakk Wylde played the solo and says he recorded it in a single, largely improvised take at A&M. When there was talk of redoing it, the band decided the first pass could not be beaten. Wylde took inspiration from the piano section, which reminded him of Pink Floyd, the Beatles and Elton John, and he closed the solo with a more structured pentatonic phrase. Guitar World reports that his main instrument on the album was a 1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom with EMG 81 and 85 pickups, running into two Marshall JCM800 2203 heads loaded with 6550 tubes. On this track he skipped his usual wah and Rotovibe, using a Boss SD-1 overdrive and a Boss CH-1 chorus left on throughout. The echo at the end of the solo was added with a digital delay at mixdown.

Legacy

'No More Tears' is regarded as one of the high points of Osbourne's solo career; Consequence of Sound named it the best track on the album, praising its blend of glam metal and prog. AllMusic admired its hard, rhythmic drive. The parent album sold more than four million copies in the US and was reissued for its 30th anniversary in 2021. The song reached new charts in 2025, including No. 9 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs list.

Top 10 facts about No More Tears

Mike Inez received a writing credit for the intro bass riff but does not play on the studio recording.
Wikipedia
Osbourne said in 2002 that the song is about a serial killer.
Wikipedia
Zakk Wylde said the song came together as the band was 'just messing around' in rehearsals.
Wikipedia
Wylde cut the solo in one take at A&M, and the band chose not to redo it.
BraveWords
Wylde used only a single rhythm guitar track on this song, unlike most of the album.
BraveWords
On the title track Wylde left his wah and Rotovibe off, relying on a Boss SD-1 and a Boss CH-1 chorus.
Guitar World
The delay heard at the end of the solo was added during mixing.
Guitar World
The video stars model Mariah O'Brien, and Kelly Osbourne appears as an angel at the end.
Wikipedia
No More Tears was the first album Osbourne recorded sober after more than 20 years of substance abuse.
Songfacts
The song appears in the climactic battle of the 2000 film Little Nicky.
Songfacts

Live versions

Live & Loud (Miami Arena) (1993) Recorded at Miami Arena on 14 August 1992 and released on the June 1993 live album.

In our lists

Deep Cuts — #16
The Modern Canon: Best Since 1990 — #8
The 25 Greatest Metal Guitar Solos — #13
The 1990s — #8
Played on a Les Paul — #12

Sources

What guitar was used on the No More Tears solo?

A gibson les paul (bullseye) through a Marshall amp, according to widely reported accounts.

Where does No More Tears rank among the greatest guitar solos?

#47 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 11 of them.

Who played guitar on No More Tears?

Zakk Wylde played all the guitars, including the solo, which he says he recorded in one take.

Who wrote No More Tears?

Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Randy Castillo and producer John Purdell share the credit.

What is No More Tears about?

Osbourne has said it is about a serial killer; the lyrics follow a predator stalking women.

Does Mike Inez play bass on No More Tears?

No. He wrote the intro bass riff and is credited, but he does not play on the final recording.

What guitar did Zakk Wylde use on No More Tears?

A 1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom with EMG pickups through Marshall JCM800 heads, per Guitar World.