Yungblud’s “Changes” cover live at Back to the Beginning (Villa Park)
Yungblud’s raw, deeply emotional rendition of Black Sabbath’s 1972 ballad “Changes” at the Back to the Beginningfarewell concert on Saturday, 5 July 2025, has been transformed from a live spectacle into an official single — released today, 18 July 2025 — with all proceeds benefiting Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice
🎤 The Performance: A Moment That Stopped Villa Park
- A crowd-stopping moment
Set against the grandeur of Black Sabbath’s final show at Villa Park, Birmingham, Yungblud’s heartfelt performance quickly became one of the standout moments of the day Armed with a powerhouse backing band featuring icons like Nuno Bettencourt, Sleep Token’s II, Frank Bello, and Adam Wakeman, he delivered an intimate version that contrasted starkly with the arena’s metallic edge (Kerrang!). - Critics and fans were moved
Reviews praised the performance as hauntingly beautiful. Michael Hann of The Guardian described it as “sincere, passionate and wins a huge response from a crowd who might not be familiar with him, compelling a whole-stadium singalong” (The Guardian). Fans shared stories of being “goosebump-inducing” and labeled it “one of the best Black Sabbath covers in decades” (Rock News). - Yungblud: on winning over metalheads
In candid interviews, Dominic Harrison reflected on the challenge of earning credibility at a primarily metal audience. He recounted telling Tom Morello, “Give me the ballad. I’ll bring the house down.” He spoke about the deafening silence that followed his performance — a sign of captivated metal fans (Chaoszine).
🏆 Ozzy’s Seal of Approval & Charitable Impact
- Ozzy Osbourne’s praise
Ozzy himself endorsed the cover, stating, “He did an amazing job. I couldn’t have done it better myself” (Kerrang!). That endorsement meant more than applause — it was a passing of the torch. - A charitable endeavor
Mirroring the concert’s fundraising drive that raised around £140 million for charity (Sonic Perspectives, Wikipedia), the single amplifies the cause. Yungblud emphasized that releasing the track “immortalises it on tape… and donate all the money to such important causes” (Kerrang!).
🎧 The Release: A Single That Matters
- Dropped on 18 July 2025
Officially released today across streaming platforms, the cover is available as a standalone single. Kerrang! described it as “Ozzy-approved” and “stunning” (Wikipedia, Kerrang!), while Rock News and Rova highlighted the timely release, reiterating that “Changes” goes live on 18 July, with all proceeds benefiting key charities . - Band credits
The single features intense musical contributions from the live ensemble — Bettencourt’s guitar, II’s drums, Bello’s bass, and Wakeman’s keys — maintaining the organic energy of the performance (Rova). - Where to listen
Now streaming widely: on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and available for download. Yungblud encouraged fans to “stream it, buy it, add it to your playlist — let’s raise some fucking money” (Kerrang!).
🙌 Why It Resonates
- A bridging of generations – Yungblud brought fresh emotional vulnerability to a classic Sabbath song, appealing to both older fans and younger audiences (The Guardian).
- A career-defining moment – He called it “hands-down the biggest moment of my entire life” (Kerrang!).
- Global reach for a cause – With all singles proceeds going to nonprofit organizations, the release extends the legacy of the farewell concert’s fundraising impact .
- Musical authenticity – The track is a live-in-the-moment capture, preserving the moment’s raw feeling.
🧭 What’s Next for Yungblud?
- Touring ahead
He’s set to join the UK leg of “Idols – The World Tour 2026”, with The Warning supporting his headline set (Kerrang!). - Creative resurgence
Yungblud described feeling re-energized and fearless post-concert. He noted that he’s already stockpiled material for the second half of his Idols project, expressing interest in collaborating with rock legends like Lenny Kravitz and Slash . - Documentary release
He recently wrapped filming on Are You Ready, Boy?, a live documentary shot entirely in a single take at Hansa Studios, Berlin, capturing the live vibe of the Idols album (Sonic Perspectives).
🎼 Final Notes
Yungblud’s “Changes” is more than a single — it’s an electrifying, emotional snapshot of a milestone concert, a bridge between musical eras, and a heartfelt tribute that honors the legacy of Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, while raising significant funds for charity. As the guitar fades and the piano lingers, the track invites listeners to experience that unforgettable moment — one that truly “brings the house down.”
Enjoy the song, spread the word, and support the causes behind it.
