Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne – “Close Your Eyes Forever”: A Power Ballad in the Shadows
Released in 1988 on Lita Ford’s Lita album, “Close Your Eyes Forever” is a striking duet between two hard rock icons. Combining Ford’s razor-edged vulnerability with Osbourne’s tortured intensity, the track became an unexpected hit — a slow, brooding ballad from artists better known for headbanging riffs and wild stage presence.
But what makes this song endure is its emotional weight. Raw, gothic, and deeply melancholy, “Close Your Eyes Forever” is a power ballad about love, despair, and the blurred lines between life and death — a duet that feels like a whispered conversation in the dark.
The Sound: Haunting, Heavy, and Heartfelt
Musically, “Close Your Eyes Forever” lives in the shadowy space between hard rock and gothic metal, built on a slow tempo and minor-key melody that drips with sorrow.
Key sonic features:
- Clean electric guitar arpeggios, creating a mournful, dreamlike atmosphere
- A slow, pounding rhythm section, anchoring the emotional weight
- Dramatic guitar solos by Lita Ford that balance melodic beauty with searing power
- The interplay of two iconic voices — Ford’s ethereal yet commanding, and Ozzy’s unmistakably wounded and human
Together, they create an atmosphere that’s equal parts romantic and tragic, like a love song written on the edge of a storm.
The Lyrics: A Duet of Darkness and Devotion
“If I close my eyes forever / Will it all remain unchanged?”
The lyrics of “Close Your Eyes Forever” explore a complex emotional landscape — one of longing, emotional fatigue, and perhaps suicidal ideation. It’s a love song, yes, but one written in pain.
Themes include:
- The struggle to hold onto love despite scars and mistakes
- The desire to escape pain, even if it means letting go forever
- The question of forgiveness, and whether love can survive deep wounds
Ford and Osbourne trade verses and harmonize on the chorus, each line echoing the other’s sadness. It’s not a typical love song — it’s more like a plea for release, or a conversation between two lovers standing on the brink.
The Collaboration: Born from a Hangover, Built to Last
Ironically, the song was not planned as a duet at first. According to interviews, Ford and Osbourne were working in the studio (with producer Sharon Osbourne overseeing), and the song came together almost by accident — during a late-night, alcohol-fueled writing session.
Ozzy reportedly thought the track was too soft for him, but once he and Ford sang it together, the emotional chemistry was undeniable. What began as a rough idea turned into a track that would become the biggest hit of both artists’ solo careers.
Chart Success and Cultural Impact
“Close Your Eyes Forever” was released as a single in early 1989, and the world took notice:
- Peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100
- Became Lita Ford’s only Top 10 hit
- Helped propel the Lita album to Platinum status
- Earned critical acclaim for showing a deeper, more emotional side of both artists
It also carved out a space for female-fronted power ballads in a male-dominated rock scene — a moment where Ford’s talent and presence could shine on equal footing with one of metal’s biggest icons.
Legacy: A Dark Jewel of the Power Ballad Era
“Close Your Eyes Forever” is often cited as one of the greatest duets in rock history, and one of the darkest power ballads to hit mainstream success.
Its influence lingers in:
- Countless covers and tributes
- Continued radio play on classic rock and metal stations
- Inspiring a generation of artists to explore the softer, more emotional side of hard rock
For Lita Ford, it was a signature moment. For Ozzy, it was a rare window into his vulnerable side, away from the Prince of Darkness persona.
Final Thoughts
“Close Your Eyes Forever” isn’t just a duet — it’s a shared confession between two scarred souls. It captures the pain of love that cuts deep, and the beauty of voices finding harmony in heartache.
It’s not just about romance.
It’s about regret. About surrender. About asking the impossible question:
If we disappeared… would it hurt less?
And yet, within all that darkness, there’s light — in the music, in the chemistry, and in the fact that this unlikely ballad became a timeless rock anthem.
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