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)
Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wis
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And told what I ought to do
Let's get one thing straight
I'll choose my fate
And it's got nothing to do with you
The years are flying by and it's time I got high
Took a sample of the good things in life
I'm gonna take
Gonna kick out trouble and strife
I grow sick and tired of the same old lies
Might look a little young
So what's wrong
You don't have to be old to be wise
No I don't care that the people stare
Accuse me of going mad
Just get a long hard look into the mirror
Then, tell me now who's been had
The way things are going I won't get to show 'em
Go single all the time's up to me
So it's off with the ties
No compromise
Wanna taste what it's like to be free
I grow sick and tired of the same old lies
Might look a little young
So what's wrong
You don't have to be old to be wise
I grow sick and tired of the same old lies
Might look a little young
So what's wrong
You don't have to be old to be wise
Alright, I'm gonna gather my things
Go through the door
Live and let live from now on
At last a free hand, no longer pre-planned
I got a will of my own
I go as I please
Fend for myself
Pull all the stops, throw the dice
Out on my own, gonna go it alone
When I need it
Then I'll ask for advice
You don't have to be old to be wise
You don't have to be old to be wise
You don't have to be old to be wise
You don't have to be old to be wise
You don't have to be old to be wise
You don't have to be old to be wise
You don't have to be old to be wise
In the song "Don't Have To Be Old To Be Wise," Judas Priest talks about the need to break free from societal programming, make your own choices, and live your life on your terms. The song talks about growing tired of being told what to do and wanting to sample the good things in life. The singer asserts his right to choose his own fate, independent of the opinions of others. He grows tired of the same old lies and is not concerned about what people think of his choices.
He is determined to live a life of freedom, where he can fend for himself and ask for advice only when he needs it. The song's message is that you don't have to be old to be wise; you can take control of your life at any age and make your own choices.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had enough of being programmed
I am tired of being told what to do and how to live my life according to someone else's rules.
And told what I ought to do
I am fed up with people giving me instructions on how to live my life and what decisions to make.
Let's get one thing straight
I want to make it clear that I will be making my own decisions and taking control of my life.
I'll choose my fate
I have the freedom and autonomy to direct my own life and determine my own destiny.
And it's got nothing to do with you
I am not seeking anyone else's approval or permission to live my life the way I choose.
The years are flying by and it's time I got high
I am getting older and I want to experience all the good things life has to offer.
Took a sample of the good things in life
I want to try new experiences and enjoy all the pleasures of life.
This is a chance
I see this as an opportunity to break free from the constraints that have held me back in the past.
I'm gonna take
I am going to seize this chance and live my life to the fullest.
Gonna kick out trouble and strife
I want to eliminate all the negativity and problems that have been holding me back.
I grow sick and tired of the same old lies
I am fed up with people telling me what to do and repeating the same old falsehoods.
Might look a little young
I may appear to be inexperienced or naive, but that does not negate my wisdom or ability to make my own decisions.
So what's wrong
There is nothing wrong with being young and wise at the same time.
No I don't care that the people stare
I do not care if people judge me or think I am making the wrong decision as long as I am happy with my choices.
Accuse me of going mad
People may criticize me and make unfounded claims that I am losing my mind, but that will not influence my decision-making.
Just get a long hard look into the mirror
I want others to reflect on their own lives and examine their own choices before judging mine.
Then, tell me now who's been had
If they honestly assess their own lives, they will see that they may have been misled or misguided in their own decision-making.
The way things are going I won't get to show 'em
If I continue to follow other people's rules and live life according to their standards, I will not have the opportunity to showcase my own abilities or dreams.
Go single all the time's up to me
I want to be free to make my own choices and not be hindered by others' expectations or demands.
So it's off with the ties
I want to break free from the social norms and expectations that have been placed upon me.
No compromise
I will not make concessions or negotiate on my decisions for the sake of pleasing others.
Wanna taste what it's like to be free
I want to experience the freedom of living life on my own terms and making my own decisions.
Alright, I'm gonna gather my things
I am getting ready to leave and start a new chapter in my life.
Go through the door
I am ready to open a new door and embrace new possibilities in my life.
Live and let live from now on
I want to live my life freely without being bound by others' expectations.
At last a free hand, no longer pre-planned
I am excited to have the freedom to chart my own path without being restricted or held back by what others want or expect from me.
I got a will of my own
I have the power and confidence to make decisions on my own.
I go as I please
I will live my life based on my own desires and aspirations.
Fend for myself
I will take care of myself, make my own way in the world, and not rely on others to guide my decisions.
Pull all the stops, throw the dice
I will use every available resource and take risks to achieve my goals and aspirations.
Out on my own, gonna go it alone
I am ready to live life independently and make my own decisions without anyone else's input.
When I need it
I will seek advice and guidance when necessary.
Then I'll ask for advice
I am open to hearing others' opinions, but I will ultimately make my own decisions based on my own needs and desires.
You don't have to be old to be wise
Wisdom is not limited to age, and even young people can make wise decisions and live fulfilling lives.
You don't have to be old to be wise
Having life experience is not the only way to gain wisdom, and even the young can make wise decisions.
You don't have to be old to be wise
Age does not determine one's level of wisdom, and people of all ages can make wise and informed decisions.
You don't have to be old to be wise
There is no age limit on making wise choices, and people of any age can possess wisdom and live fulfilling lives.
You don't have to be old to be wise
Wisdom is not determined solely by age, and young people are capable of making wise and informed decisions.
You don't have to be old to be wise
Age is not a requirement for possessing wisdom, and anyone can make wise decisions regardless of their age.
You don't have to be old to be wise
Wisdom can come from any age and should not be limited by age stereotypes.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Putrid Abomination
Young or old, if you listen to Priest you're wise
Kendrick Diego
Yes sir, I have listened to Judas priest and right now I am mor wise than before, sir
Leandro Nicolas Abaurrea
Yeahhhh!!
D H
Your a wise man !
Stephen Mcdermott
I'd say so to, I'm 16 and definitely an odd one out nowadays but I still get along with just about everyone
Putrid Abomination
@OptimusRhymz 222 not making any sense...
The1WhoKnowsTheTruth
“I grow sick and tired of the same old lies.” I felt that line at 15 and now at 55. Long Live Priest. \m/
Sam Campbell
Totally the same!! I said fuck the world with its bullshit at an early age!
Lauryn S
Miss my dad so much. He passed away on the 1st and Judas was his favorite band. He’d always get so hyped on them. I miss him so much, he was the wisest and coolest man I knew.
Don Cool
someday maybe you will find someone of that caliper in todays world...good luck