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)
Head Out to the Highway
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I've said it before, and I'll say it again
You get nothing for nothing: expect it when
You're backseat driving, and your hands ain't on the wheel
It's easy to go along with the crowd,
And find later on that your say ain't allowed
Oh that's the way to find what you've been missing
So I'm heading out to the highway
I'm gonna do it my way
Take a chance before I fall
A chance before I fall!
You can hang in a left or hang in a right
The choice it is yours to do as you might
The road is open wide to place your bidding
Now, wherever you turn, wherever you go
If you get it wrong, at least you can know
There's miles and miles to put it back together!
And I'm heading out to the highway
I got nothing to lose at all
I'm gonna do it my way
Take a chance before I fall
A chance before I fall!
On the highway!
On the highway!
Making a curve or taking the strain
On the decline, or out on the wain
Oh everybody breaks down sooner or later
We'll put it to rights, we'll square up and mend
Back on your feet to take the next bend!
You weather every storm that's coming atcha!
And I'm heading out to the highway
I got nothin' to lose at all
I'm gonna do it my way
Take a chance before I fall
Yes, I'm heading out to the highway
I got nothing to lose at all. I got nothing to lose at all!
The lyrics to Judas Priest's song "Out To The Highway" describe the idea of taking risks and not being afraid to go against the norm. The singer begins by stating that you can't expect to receive anything without effort, much like driving a car- if your hands aren't on the wheel, you won't get anywhere. It's easy to follow the crowd, but there may come a time when you realize that your voice isn't being heard. The solution to this is to take a chance and go your own way. The road is open for you to go wherever you want, and if you make a wrong turn, there will always be a way to fix it. The important thing is that you put yourself out there and take that chance before it's too late.
The song is an anthem for those who are willing to take risks and not be afraid of failure. The lyrics inspire listeners to embrace change and try new things, even if it means going against the norm. This theme of individuality and creativity is a common motif in rock music and is especially relevant in the 1980s, when the song was released. The guitar riffs and drum beats also add to the song's message of high energy and spontaneity.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've said it before, and I'll say it again
I've made this point previously and I'll repeat it
You get nothing for nothing: expect it when
Don't expect to receive something for nothing
You're backseat driving, and your hands ain't on the wheel
You're not in control of the situation
It's easy to go along with the crowd,
It's simple to follow others
And find later on that your say ain't allowed
To realize your opinion doesn't matter
Oh that's the way to find what you've been missing
This is how you find what you've been searching for
So I'm heading out to the highway
I'm leaving my current situation
I got nothing to lose at all
I have no risk in leaving
I'm gonna do it my way
I'm going to make my own choices
Take a chance before I fall
I want to take a risk before it's too late
You can hang in a left or hang in a right
You can choose which path to take
The choice it is yours to do as you might
You have the freedom to make your own decisions
The road is open wide to place your bidding
You can go in any direction you desire
Now, wherever you turn, wherever you go
Regardless of where you go
If you get it wrong, at least you can know
If you mess up, you can learn from it
There's miles and miles to put it back together!
There is ample opportunity to fix any issues
On the highway!
While traveling
Making a curve or taking the strain
Navigating life's challenges
On the decline, or out on the wain
Experiencing success or failure
Oh everybody breaks down sooner or later
Everyone encounters problems eventually
We'll put it to rights, we'll square up and mend
We'll correct our mistakes
Back on your feet to take the next bend!
Ready to face the next obstacle
You weather every storm that's coming atcha!
Enduring through hardships
Yes, I'm heading out to the highway
I'm leaving to pursue my own path
I got nothing to lose at all. I got nothing to lose at all!
I have little to lose and everything to gain
Lyrics © Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON, KENNETH DOWNING, ROB HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lk_alabama
I need to listen to Judas Priest more often to help me cope with today's world.
@kuuleilani8
LOL
LOVE IT BRAHDA
@CardyBCardshop
Amen 2 that.
@charlestonboles8132
May i recommend "Ram it down" , the song and the whole album. Priest Rules!!!!
@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263
I do on my bike lol esp breakin the law
@vjenkins6815
Amen, Leslie! I have to listen to "Hell Bent For Leather/ Killing Machine", and I mean the entire album, at least once a week to maintain my sanity.
I'd give anything to be able to go back to that point in time.
@carolklinekole7271
My brother Gary passed 2 weeks ago today, this was a favorite song of his .R.I.P. brother, gonna miss you.
@guilhermegarcia8750
Your brother had GREAT taste.
@anthonywright8627
Sorry for your loss, he had awesome taste in music
@stevenbrewer6698
I'm here cause of my Dad, passed last year 2019 June 29th. Your brother and my Dad live forever in this hard rockin, ass kicking, good living, and good loving generation of music. Peace, to all you Heads out there. ✌