Perry Mason

Album: Ozzmosis (1995)
Charted: 23
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about the fictional lawyer Perry Mason. The character was introduced in a book series written in the 1930s by Erle Stanley Gardner, and was made into a TV series that ran from 1957 to 1966 starring Raymond Burr.
  • Ozzy's guitarist Zakk Wylde and keyboard player John Sinclair wrote the music. In a Songfacts interview with Wylde, he explained how it came together: "John was just jamming on it. It's like, 'John, what's that, man, that's cool?' So, I started playing along with him. We started with that and then and said, 'Let's do something like that.' And then we did the climb up and then I took on doing the climb and then I had that riff. Then Ozzy was like, 'Oh, cool, man, let me sing something on that,' and then Oz just started singing. That's pretty much how they all come about."

Comments: 12

  • Tfiagkua from CaliforniaBest song ever. Zak rules!
  • Cavin Walker from Living RoomCome on, you people need to get out more often. If you’d quit trying to analyze, you would enjoy it so much more.
  • PeachSplat-It is Geezer playing bass on it.
  • Tombotombo from UkWhen the Ozzmosis album came out, Ozzy said in some interviews this song was about watching Perry Mason reruns in rehab, as the rehab he stayed in had it playing on TV every day.
  • John From Delaware from DelawareLol, at someone cherry picking a couple lines that sound like they might be something else, and saying "drugs", which is the laziest song meaning answer given on sites like this.

    But ignoring the part about the gun, and about needing Perry Mason on the case.

    The song is about Perry Mason. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
  • Will from Montreal, Qc@Splat, based on the Wikipedia page, it seems that Mike Inez initially played the bass line, but it was re-recorded by Geezer after the line-up change. When they went on tour Butler played bass, but left before the end. Inez cames back to fill in until Robert Trujillo joined near the end of the tour.
  • Ken from CaliforniaDoes anyone know who the little girl is in the video? is it Kelly Osbourne?
  • Scott from ArizonaIt's not about drugs. The "painted horses" refer to the horses on a carousel, which kids love to ride. The song was written for the Perry Mason (fictional lawyer) movie. I don't know about the rest of the commenters but I was alive when it came out.
  • Jodie from XxThis song is about drugs and drug addiction. Just listen to the lyrics.

    Riding painted horses,
    How they love the wind to blow
    Draw me a line
    Feelin fine

    All references to cocaine.

    Wake me when it's over
    Tell me it's alright
    Just keep on talking baby
    I've been doing this all night.
    How much did you give me?
    Tell me it'll be alright.

    He is clearly overdosing at this part.
  • Jg from Joppa, MdThis song is not about the fictional lawyer.
    The lyrics indicate drug addiction.
  • Jorge from Bronx, NyI love this song from beggining to end,awesome sound!
  • Splat from Williamsville, DeThe synthesized strings play the Perry Mason theme at the beginning of the song. The bass riff during the chorus is amazing! (Is that Geezer Butler or Mike Inez playing bass?)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.