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)
Diamond & Rust
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon is full
And you decided to call
And here I sit, hand on the telephone
Hearing the voice I'd known
A couple of light years ago
But we both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Yes we both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Now I see you standing with brown leaves all around and snow in your hair
Now we're smiling out the window of the crummy hotel over Washington Square
Our breath comes in white clouds, mingles and hangs in the air
Speaking strictly for me we both could've died then and there
Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic
Then give me another word for it
You were so good with words
And at keeping things vague
'Cause I need some of that vagueness now
It's all come back too clearly, yes, I love you dearly
And if you're offering me diamonds and rust, I've already paid
But we both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Yes we both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
The song "Diamonds and Rust" by Judas Priest is considered to be a classic rock ballad which deals with the theme of nostalgia and the emotions that come with it. At the beginning of the song, the singer acknowledges that he's being haunted by his former lover's memory. He admits that it is a familiar feeling but still somewhat overwhelming, especially on this particular night when the moon is full. He then goes on to reminisce about a time from their past when they were both in love but heading towards a doomed end.
The memories bring both diamonds and rust - diamonds may represent how precious and rare their love was, while rust may signify how the relationship eventually decayed and ended. The singer then fast-forwards to the present or to a time when the two of them bump into each other unexpectedly, during a winter scene. He notes their breath, the snow in her hair, the brown leaves all around (which all evoke the feeling of nostalgia). Nevertheless, she claims to not be nostalgic, but the singer is unconvinced, urging her to find another word for her feelings. He observes that she was skilled at being vague, and that he needs some of that vagueness now, perhaps in order to avoid acknowledging the true depth of his feelings for her. In the end, he acknowledges the power of their shared memories, while also hinting that it's too late to bring the past back - "if you're offering me diamonds and rust, I've already paid."
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be damned, here comes your ghost again
An acknowledgement of the reappearance of a past lover
But that's not unusual
Indicates the singer's acceptance of this occurrence as a regular happening
It's just that the moon is full
Ties the reappearance of the past lover to the phase of the moon
And you decided to call
Highlights the fact that the past lover initiated the call
And here I sit, hand on the telephone
Establishes the physical setting of the singer waiting by the phone
Hearing the voice I'd known
Expresses the singer's familiarity with the voice of the past lover
A couple of light years ago
Indicates the duration of time that has passed since the separation
Headed straight for a fall
Reveals the anticipation of the negative outcome of their relationship
But we both know what memories can bring
Reflects on the power of memories
They bring diamonds and rust
Memories can bring both positive and negative feelings
Now I see you standing with brown leaves all around and snow in your hair
Paints a picture of the past lover in the current moment
Now we're smiling out the window of the crummy hotel over Washington Square
Describes the setting where the singer and the past lover are at present
Our breath comes in white clouds, mingles and hangs in the air
Sets the tone of a cold, wintery night
Speaking strictly for me we both could've died then and there
Emphasizes the significance of the past relationship
Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic
The past lover denies any feelings of nostalgia
Then give me another word for it
The singer challenges the past lover's denial
You were so good with words
An acknowledgement of the past lover's verbal skills
And at keeping things vague
The past lover had a tendency to leave things undefined
'Cause I need some of that vagueness now
The singer desires that same vagueness in their current conversation
It's all come back too clearly, yes, I love you dearly
The singer admits their love for the past lover, despite trying to forget
And if you're offering me diamonds and rust, I've already paid
Rejects the past lover's attempt to reconcile, stating the price has already been paid
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Reiteration of the idea that memories bring both positive and negative feelings
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Reiteration of the idea that memories bring both positive and negative feelings
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Reiteration of the idea that memories bring both positive and negative feelings
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Reiteration of the idea that memories bring both positive and negative feelings
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Joan Baez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@makisnerantzis8427
I'll be damned, here comes your ghost again
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon is full
And you decided to call
And here I sit, hand on the telephone
Hearing the voice I'd known
A couple of light years ago
Heading straight for a fall
But we both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Yes we both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Now I see you standing all around and snow in your hair
Now we're smiling out the window of the crummy hotel over Washington Square
Our breath comes on white clouds, mingles and hangs in the air
Speaking strictly for me, we both could've died then and there
Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic
Then give me another word for it
You were so good with words
And at keeping things vague
'Cause I need some of that vagueness now
It's all come back too clearly
Yes, I love you dearly
And if you're offering me diamonds and rust, I've already paid
But we both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Yes we both know what memories can bring
They bring diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Don't want no more diamonds, diamonds and rust
@rodneybrimer5171
Damn I love this band. My fav band since I was 13 and I’m 54 now. I know one day they will perform their last concert. They are truly LEGENDS!
@JelkicaHartman
i am 53
@teet7918
+1
@Big_Dot_Inc
If you will leave that long to see them play the last show 😂
@leonardosamuellopez7361
CADA VEZ QUE LO ESCUCHO SUENA MEJOR SON CAPOS
@user-go5jo3ix6t
ª
@user-go5jo3ix6t
Ta bueno 😊
@pablopereyrapf4295
Hace prácticamente 40 años que escucho esta banda....dia a dia me estremece el corazón y mi sangre metalera. Gracias Judas Priest.
@ironmaiden1236541
This version allows Rob to show off every part of his voice while improvising so much emotion. From his breath singing, to his head voice and vibrato to everything else in his repertoire. It's a truly masterful performance. \w/
@popurartcustom9259
Magistral.