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)
Down in Flames
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We shall see
They are coming now
They're after me
They want blood
Yes it's true
Going quietly I just don't do
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
In my heart (in my heart)
I can say (I can say)
I'll be ready for what comes my way
Don't be fooled (don't be fooled)
I can tell (I can tell)
Where I'm going to will serve me well
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Leaving my mark on the world when I've gone
Spreading the word by the deeds that I've done
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
The lyrics of Judas Priest's "Down in Flames" seem to be a reflection on the inevitability of death and the choices we make before we face it. The opening lines suggest that the singer is aware that their last days are approaching and that someone is pursuing them ("They're after me/They want blood"). Despite this, they refuse to go quietly and accept their fate. They are determined to go "down in flames" and "in a blaze of glory." This could be interpreted as either a desire for a memorable death or a refusal to die without a fight.
There is a sense of defiance in the lyrics - the singer states that they are ready for whatever happens next, and that where they are going will "serve [them] well." They see their death as an opportunity to leave their mark on the world and to spread their message through their actions ("Leaving my mark on the world when I've gone/Spreading the word by the deeds that I've done"). Overall, the song seems to be about facing death with courage and determination, and using that final opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Line by Line Meaning
My last days
I am aware that my time on this earth is coming to an end.
We shall see
I am curious to see what will happen when my last days arrive.
They are coming now
I have a sense that my last days are approaching quickly.
They're after me
I am being pursued by those who wish to harm me.
They want blood
Those after me are not content with simple revenge; they intend to cause me serious harm.
Yes it's true
The danger I face is real and present.
Going quietly I just don't do
I refuse to go silently into the night; I will put up a fight until the very end.
In my heart (in my heart)
Deep within my soul.
I can say (I can say)
I am confident that what I am about to say is true.
I'll be ready for what comes my way
I am prepared for whatever danger or difficulty lies ahead.
Don't be fooled (don't be fooled)
Others may underestimate me, but they should not be deceived.
I can tell (I can tell)
I know for certain.
Where I'm going to will serve me well
The destination of my journey, whether physical or spiritual, will benefit me in some way.
Leaving my mark on the world when I've gone
I hope to make an impact on the world, even after I am no longer a part of it.
Spreading the word by the deeds that I've done
I will ensure that my actions are remembered and inspire others to follow in my footsteps.
Going down in flames
I am willing to risk everything and face danger head-on.
Going down in a blaze of glory
I accept the consequences of my actions and will not back down.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON, RICHARD FAULKNER, ROBERT HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
dani alex
My last days
We shall see
They are coming now
They're after me
They want blood
Yes it's true
Going quietly I just don't do
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
In my heart
I can say
I'll be ready for what comes my way
Don't be fooled
I can tell
Where I'm going to will serve me well
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Leaving my mark on the world when I've gone
Spreading the word by the deeds that I've done
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Juan Jose Hernandez Figeroa
This song will always make me smile... This is what can make me happy at any point in my life... Is really awesome how can they make a song like this when they have made 16 albums! This song is the real meaning of Heavy Metal! This is JUDAS PRIEST! This is HEAVY METAL! These are the 80's! THIS IS FUCKING AWESOME! Judas Priest... My favorite band FOREVER... You'll be in our hearts forever guys... My idols of all life... Thank you for all those beautiful moments...
azwris
100% true!!!
dani alex
My last days
We shall see
They are coming now
They're after me
They want blood
Yes it's true
Going quietly I just don't do
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
In my heart
I can say
I'll be ready for what comes my way
Don't be fooled
I can tell
Where I'm going to will serve me well
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Leaving my mark on the world when I've gone
Spreading the word by the deeds that I've done
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
Going down in flames
Going down in a blaze of glory
MIKE DESTAZADOR
THANX BRO!!!!
Draganko123
This album is awesome. Incorporates their old shit, thrash, classic, speed metal. It's so fucking awesome. They really are going down in flames!
TheMetalWarrior1993
Draganko123 it's a good album, but I can't help it thinking that there's still something missing without K.K. in the band, I loved his whammy riffs so much!
Tehufn
+TheMetalWarrior1993 I think, should they release another album, they'll get used to being without him.
That album will be epic.
TheMetalWarrior1993
tehufn To me they are just an ok band now, they lost their feeling when he left them.
Tehufn
***** To each their own. I started listening to Priest in 2014, and he had left by then. They still sound epic live, Halford seems to be getting paradoxically better with age.
TheMetalWarrior1993
+tehufn Well if you would've seen them live like how I did back when they still had K.K. You'd notice a huge difference, and that was back in 2008 when they played with Testament, Motörhead and Heaven & Hell on the Metal Masters Tour.