Tipton is best known for his complex, sometimes classically influenced solos and his legendary double lead guitar trades with fellow Priest guitarist K.K. Downing. Tipton's songwriting and technical control have long been hallmarks of the Judas Priest sound.
In 1997 Tipton released his solo album Baptizm of Fire, featuring a host of well-known musicians including Billy Sheehan, Cozy Powell and Don Airey, among others. Despite being largely ignored by the mainstream music press, it is considered a modern classic by many longtime fans of Priest.
2006 saw the release of Edge of the World featuring Cozy Powell on drums and John Entwistle on bass. The proceeds of said album were donated to the Teenage cancer trust charity.
On 12 February 2018, Tipton announced that he would step down from touring when he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He stated that he was still a member of the band despite his diagnosis and would not rule out future on-stage appearances. Producer and guitarist Andy Sneap replaced him on tour. On 9 March 2018, the eighteenth album Firepower was released. At the 20 March 2018 show in Newark, New Jersey, Tipton joined the band on stage to perform "Metal Gods", "Breaking the Law" and "Living After Midnight", then "Victim of Changes" and "No Surrender" on later dates. Prior to the band's performance, he expressed uncertainty regarding his future role in Judas Priest, "It's an unanswerable question, really. It's in the lap of the metal gods." After performing on stage with the band, he described it as "emotional", and being overwhelmed with support from the band members and from fans worldwide, "You don’t like to see a grown man cry, but we did." Tipton did not make any more appearances on the remaining dates of the band's world tour due to his illness, as explained by bassist Ian Hill.
Cruise Control
Glenn Tipton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm sinking deeper every day
I don't care
I don't care
I'm outta here
Seems to me it's time to taste
Some different air
And get outta here
Really nothing much to loose
So risk it all and
Just cut loose
Put your life in cruise control
Set your course and let it go
And you
Might find a better way
Tomorrows looking pretty grey
Say a prayer
Cos I've been there
About as welcome as acid rain
So do you dare
Get outta there
Never take a look back
Never say that it's too late
Pull the plug
On yesterday
Put yourself in cruise control
Set your course and let it go
And you
Might just find a better way
Never take a look back
Never say that it's too late
Step on the gas
Accelerate
Choking
Set your course and let it go
Put your life in cruise control
Set your course and let it go
The song "Cruise Control" by Glenn Tipton speaks of the feeling of being stuck in a rut and the desire to break free from it. The first verse highlights the pain of sinking deeper into that rut every day and the resulting apathy towards life. The singer then expresses a desire to taste some different air and leave the routine behind. The chorus encourages the listener to put their life in cruise control, to set their course and let it go in order to find a better way.
The second verse talks about being caught up in routines with nothing much to lose. The singer urges the listener to risk it all and cut loose. The bridge suggests a need for prayer since the singer has been in the same situation and knows how unwelcome it feels. The singer then tells the listener not to look back and to never say it's too late. They urge the listener to accelerate forward and choke the past, to put themselves in cruise control and find a better way.
In essence, these lyrics are about the human desire for change, for breaking free from routine and expectations, and for finding a better path in life. The song speaks to anyone feeling stuck or trapped and encourages them to take a chance on life and go after what they want.
Line by Line Meaning
Sinking
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless
I'm sinking deeper every day
The situation is getting worse and worse
I don't care
Feeling indifferent towards the current situation
I don't care
Emphasis on the apathy towards the situation
I'm outta here
The desire to leave and escape the situation
Seems to me it's time to taste
The realization that something needs to change
Some different air
The desire to experience something new and different
And get outta here
The desire to escape the current environment
Caughtup in the routines
Feeling stuck in a monotonous daily routine
Really nothing much to loose
Nothing to risk or lose by making a change
So risk it all and
Take a chance and make a bold move
Just cut loose
Break free from the constraints and limitations
Put your life in cruise control
Take control and steer your own ship
Set your course and let it go
Define your goals and trust the journey
And you
Addressing the listener
Might find a better way
The hope for a better outcome
Tomorrows looking pretty grey
Feeling uncertain about the future
Say a prayer
Seeking guidance or support from a higher power
Cos I've been there
Empathizing with the listener
About as welcome as acid rain
Feeling unwelcome or out of place
So do you dare
Encouraging the listener to take a risk
Get outta there
Encouraging the listener to leave the current situation
Never take a look back
Do not dwell on the past
Never say that it's too late
It's never too late to make a change
Pull the plug
Disconnect and let go of old habits or attachments
On yesterday
The past and all its negative energy
Step on the gas
Accelerate and pursue your goals with vigor
Accelerate
The need for speed and forward momentum
Choking
Feeling suffocated or restricted
Set your course and let it go
Have a clear direction and let go of doubts or fears
Put your life in cruise control
Take control and live life on your own terms
Set your course and let it go
Determining the path and trusting the journey
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind