About Stolen Prayer and Unholy War

[sumorider]

I heard that "Stolen Prayer" "Unholy War" were both originally written by Chris Cornell for Ozzy Osbourne and
instead they ended up being recorded by Alice Cooper.
Is it true?

I would like to know further detail.
So I'm glad somebody tell me how Alice, not Ozzy, sang these songs.

[A_MichaelUK]

From sumorider:
>"Is it true?"

I don't know but it's possible. Both Alice and Ozzy were on the same label at the time and songs can get passed around.

[sumorider]

To A_MichaelUK:

Thank you for the explanation.

[While Heaven Wept]

here's a demo of Stolen Prayer by Chris Cornell incase you've never heard it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FziuAuPWUnw

[While Heaven Wept]

it certainly sounds more of an Ozzy song by the way that Cornell sings it

[sumorider]

To While Heaven Wept:

Thank you for your kind reply.

I really love "Stolen Prayer" "Unholy War",
but I don't quite understand　why Alice chose the songs written for Ozzy.

[Lucius Morthem]

As an Ozzy fan I can tell you that during those years he was struggling with lots of different things. He was semi-retired then got back to record an album. The album he did with Producer X (Can't remember who and It's not important now) was ditched away, Ozzy hated it. So he abandoned the whole project and look for a new producer to do a totally different album. It could be that Those song were offered before this happened and then he didn't want them Or maybe Cornell offered those songs before he even considered goin' back to business.

[While Heaven Wept]

but I don't quite understand　why Alice chose the songs written for Ozzy.

It's very common for songs to be passed around to different bands to try out. Cornell may have written the song with Ozzy in mind and it may have been turned down.

[kevinuk81]

I cannot see these songs suiting Ozzy.

[TAC]

but I don't quite understand　why Alice chose the songs written for Ozzy.

It's very common for songs to be passed around to different bands to try out. Cornell may have written the song with Ozzy in mind and it may have been turned down.

Alice should've turned them down too IMO. They're the only two songs on TLT that I routinely skip.

[While Heaven Wept]

That's interesting as I happen to think Stolen Prayer is one of the best songs he's done in the last 30 years.

[mr.barlow]

I always figured that these songs were included to bring attention to the album since "grunge" was the music that was ruling the scene at the time and the inclusion of Chris Cornell would bring some attention.

If I remember it right, "Unholy War" was the first single issued (at least to radio stations) prior to the album's release and there was much made about Chris Cornell's participation in both writing and performing on the album.

Both are great songs, however, I always felt that 'Unholy War" didn't really fit the album--it kind of disrupted the flow.

These songs may have been written for Ozzy as we all know he has never had much to do with the writing of any of his songs--even though he always gets songwriting credits, but I think Alice made a good choice in choosing and performing them. They're not incredible but their also not too bad either. Also, the press generated had to help the album--at lesat in some small way.

[dadascot]

I always thought that unholy war suited brutal planet more than TLT. I thought that stolen prayer was on of Alice's best songs!

[tuneylune]

Love both of these songs, especially "Stolen Prayer"...think Chris's back up vox really compliment Alice's voice. Certainly enjoy "SP" more than "Stand"

[While Heaven Wept]

Unholy War isn't one of my favourites but it's not a bad song. Last Temptation really does have some fantastic performances and songwriting on it. I also always really dug the production on that album. It was nice to hear an album which had a genuine 70s feel without hundreds of layers of unnecessary double tracking.

[recoop]

I like "Stolen Prayer"-"Unholy War" so so..have to agree with WHP's comment re "Genuine 70s feel" - I was so pleased with the sound when it cam out-still play the CD