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)
Feed on Me
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They are lying in debris
They are fading with exhaustion
From the mortal injuries
They are hungry and need feeding
They've resigned themselves to fate
They are desperate men
When your will to live
Is all but gone
And you're left alone
But you need someone - feed on me
Feed on me
They're outgunned and they're outnumbered
But they'll never turn to run
And the "In the name of freedom's"
Written with their blood
Some would call them mercenary
But they always knew the pain
Inevitably far outweighs the gain
Feed on me
Feed on me if you need to breathe
Feed on me
When your hunger strikes you down again
And you feel your inner strength has drained feed on me
Feed on me
Feed on me I got what you need
Feed on me
Feed on me don't accept defeat
They are dying on the dance floor
They are lying in debris
They are fading with exhaustion
From the mortal injuries
Some would call them mercenary
But they always knew the pain
Inevitably far outweighs the gain
When your will to live has almost gone
And you're left alone and you need someone
Feed on me
Feed on me
Feed on me
Feed on me I got what you need
Feed on me
Feed on me don't accept defeat
The song "Feed on Me" by Judas Priest speaks of the struggle of soldiers in war and how they need someone to rely on to keep going. The first verse describes how the soldiers are dying, lying in debris, and fading from exhaustion due to mortal injuries. The soldiers are desperate for help, and their faces show the signs of death. The chorus depicts the offer of the singer for the soldiers to feed on him, stating that they may need to take his strength to survive. The second verse talks about how the soldiers are outnumbered but will never retreat. "In the name of freedom's written with their blood" speaks to the fact that they believe in the cause for which they are fighting.
The phrase "Some would call them mercenary, but they always knew the pain, inevitably far outweighs the gain" refers to the fact that these soldiers are often seen as hired guns, fighting for money. However, they know the real cost of war and are willing to pay that price. The final lines repeat the chorus and emphasize that the singer is there to help, stating they should not accept defeat.
Overall, the song is about the resilience of soldiers in the face of war and the need for support to keep going. The singer offers his strength to help the soldiers survive and succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
They are dying on the dance floor
They are facing their imminent demise with no chance of escape.
They are lying in debris
Their surroundings are littered with the remnants of a violent conflict.
They are fading with exhaustion
From the mortal injuries
Their ability to continue fighting is diminishing due to severe physical damage.
They are hungry and need feeding
They require something to sustain their bodies.
They've resigned themselves to fate
They have accepted that they will likely not survive the situation.
They are desperate men
Death's written on their face
Their desperation is evident in their physical appearance, which reflects their proximity to death.
When your will to live
Is all but gone
And you're left alone
But you need someone - feed on me
Feed on me
The subject of the song offers themselves as a source of sustenance and support for those who feel hopeless and alone.
They're outgunned and they're outnumbered
But they'll never turn to run
And the "In the name of freedom's"
Written with their blood
Despite being at a disadvantage, they refuse to retreat or surrender; the cause they fight for is engrained in their being, and they will fight until their last breath.
Some would call them mercenary
But they always knew the pain
Inevitably far outweighs the gain
Some might perceive their actions as greedy or selfish, but they recognize that the sacrifices they make in the name of their cause will always surpass any potential reward.
Feed on me if you need to breathe
When your hunger strikes you down again
And you feel your inner strength has drained feed on me
The subject of the song reiterates their willingness to offer assistance and nourishment to those who require it during times of struggle.
Feed on me I got what you need
Feed on me
Feed on me don't accept defeat
The chorus is repeated to emphasize the message that seeking help in times of strife is not a sign of weakness, and that the subject of the song is ready and willing to provide aid to those who need it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind