The band's membership has seen much turnover, including a revolving cast of drummers in the 1970s and the departure of singer Rob Halford in 1992. Tim "Ripper" Owens, formerly of Winter's Bane, replaced Halford in 1996 and recorded two albums with Judas Priest, before Halford returned to the band in 2003. The current line-up consists of Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill and drummer Scott Travis. The band's best-selling album is 1982's Screaming for Vengeance, with their most commercially successful line-up featuring Ian Hill, Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, guitarist K. K. Downing, and drummer Dave Holland. Tipton and Hill are the only two members of the band to appear on every album.
Halford's operatic vocal style and the twin guitar sound of Downing and Tipton have been a major influence on heavy metal bands. Judas Priest's image of leather, spikes, and other taboo articles of clothing were widely influential during the glam metal era of the 1980s. The Guardian referred to British Steel as the record that defines heavy metal. Despite a decline in exposure during the mid-1990s, the band has once again seen a resurgence, including worldwide tours, being inaugural inductees into the VH1 Rock Honors in 2006, receiving a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2010, and having their songs featured in video games such as Guitar Hero and the Rock Band series. In 2022, Judas Priest were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Priest
Studio albums
Rocka Rolla (1974)
Sad Wings of Destiny (1976)
Sin After Sin (1977)
Stained Class (1978)
Killing Machine (1978)
British Steel (1980)
Point of Entry (1981)
Screaming for Vengeance (1982)
Defenders of the Faith (1984)
Turbo (1986)
Ram It Down (1988)
Painkiller (1990)
Jugulator (1997)
Demolition (2001)
Angel of Retribution (2005)
Nostradamus (2008)
Redeemer of Souls (2014)
Firepower (2018)
Invincible Shield (2024)
Cheater
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked in the bedroom there
My woman with a man was lyin' fast asleep
I felt a rage inside me, control I couldn't keep
She was a cheater
I reached the dressing table, kicked away the door
By this time they're awake and they don't know what to do
I scream you cheatin' bitch here's what I think of you
You are a cheater
They both pleaded for mercy, I said no way
When you do this upon me, you have no say
I treated you so real good, and this is what you do
Oh no I've finished with you, your time is through
You are a cheater
If you need a cheater there's nobody sweeter than this one
There's no neater, come on here and meet her
Cheater, cheater, cheater, come on and meet her
The lyrics to Judas Priest's song Cheater are about a man who comes home late, only to find his woman in bed with another man. The man becomes enraged and reaches for a loaded .44, ultimately deciding to take revenge and shoot them both. The chorus of the song repeats the word "cheater," emphasizing the betrayal the man feels from his partner's infidelity.
The lyrics portray a very violent response to cheating, and could be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of jealousy and impulse control. The singer's actions are not justified, but rather highlight the potentially destructive consequences of unchecked emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I got home late this evening, stumbled up the stair
I arrived home late and in a disoriented state.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked in the bedroom there
I was shocked and dismayed when I saw another person in my bedroom with my partner.
My woman with a man was lyin' fast asleep
I saw my partner and another man asleep next to each other.
I felt a rage inside me, control I couldn't keep
I became overcome with anger and was unable to control myself.
She was a cheater
I concluded that my partner was cheating on me.
I reached the dressing table, kicked away the door
I went to the dressing table and kicked open the door in a fit of rage.
I gripped the cold black metal, a loaded .44
I took hold of a loaded gun.
By this time they're awake and they don't know what to do
At this point, my partner and the other man were awake and unsure of how to react.
I scream you cheatin' bitch here's what I think of you
I shouted at my partner, calling her a cheating woman and expressing my disgust with her actions.
You are a cheater
I reiterated my belief that my partner had been unfaithful to me.
They both pleaded for mercy, I said no way
Both my partner and the other man begged for mercy, but I refused to show them any.
When you do this upon me, you have no say
I believed that my partner's actions had stripped her of any say in the situation.
I treated you so real good, and this is what you do
I had treated my partner well in the past, and was disappointed that she had betrayed me.
Oh no I've finished with you, your time is through
I declared that our relationship was over, and that my partner's time with me had come to an end.
You are a cheater
I repeated my belief that my partner was a cheater.
If you need a cheater there's nobody sweeter than this one
The singer suggests that if someone is looking for a cheater, his partner may be a good choice.
There's no neater, come on here and meet her
He further recommends his partner as a good option for someone looking to cheat.
Cheater, cheater, cheater, come on and meet her
The song concludes with the repetition of the word cheater, as if taunting the listener to meet the singer's partner and engage in infidelity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KENNETH DOWNING, ROBERT HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
johnny zell
I got home late this evening, stumbled up the stair
I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked in the bedroom there
My woman with a man was lyin' fast asleep
I felt a rage inside me, control I couldn't keep
She was a cheater
I reached the dressing table, kicked away the door
I gripped the cold black metal, a loaded .44
By this time they're awake and they don't know what to do
I scream you cheatin' bitch here's what I think of you
You are a cheater
They both pleaded for mercy, I said no way
When you do this upon me, you have no say
I treated you so real good, and this is what you do
Oh no I've finished with you, your time is through
You are a cheater
If you need a cheater there's nobody sweeter than this one
There's no neater, come on here and meet her
Cheater, cheater, cheater, come on and meet her...
For non-commercial use only.
Jay Zippo
This is just original song writing, ahead of its time that is for sure... I mean Harmonica in a Priest song... that's AWESOME.
Thomas Glogovsky
You are so right brother 😊
johnny seven
how is it ahead of its time? you obviously wasnt around then - this wasnt nothing out of the ordinary in 74!
Ruben Deleon
Cowbells
jacavic
They were from birmingham, also Sabbath were form that area and this song has The wizard vibe
Janick
I love seeing how bands evolve. This sounds very bluesy and that they evolved from this to setting the standard for heavy metal is incredible.
Charless SS
By far one of the most underrated Priest songs. It is and always will be one of my favorite songs.
Clay Ratliff
i love it lyrics guitar cowbells truly an icon for old hard rock
FlaminYong
Ron Nelson I mean, there a small part of Rocka Rolla that has some.
Obsequious & Clandestinely
@Tim Dempster
Name another Judas Jam with killer harmonica?