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)
Heading 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 of Judas Priest's "Heading Out to the Highway" aptly capture the essence of living life on one's own terms, without taking the path dictated by others. The song's opening lines assert that "You get nothing for nothing" and advises the listener to take control of their life, lest someone else take the wheel. The singer refuses to be a passive observer and do what others tell him to, and this is demonstrated through the refrain of "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."
The lyrics also convey that the road ahead may have its challenges, as the singer identifies the risks of going left or right, and the chance element of life that the future may present. Nonetheless, the song maintains a positive note throughout and encourages the listener to face these challenges head-on. The singer knows that life is not a smooth ride and encourages the listener to "weather every storm that's coming atcha." It's an optimistic, empowering message that says if you are true to yourself, take calculated chances, and stay resilient, the outcome can still be fulfilling.
Overall, "Heading Out to the Highway" is an anthem for living life on one's own terms, with no fear of failure. Although the journey may not be easy or the destination certain, this is the type of life that is worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've said it before, and I'll say it again
I have made this point in the past and will reiterate it now
You get nothing for nothing: expect it when
One should not expect to receive something without giving anything in return
You're backseat driving, and your hands ain't on the wheel
It is easy to criticize others without taking responsibility for one's own actions
It's easy to go along with the crowd,
It is simple to conform to societal norms and expectations
And find later on that your say ain't allowed
One may later discover that their opinion is disregarded or unwelcome
Oh that's the way to find what you've been missing
Stepping outside of one's comfort zone can lead to new and enlightening experiences
So I'm heading out to the highway
I am embarking on a new journey
I got nothing to lose at all
I have no fear of failure
I'm gonna do it my way
I will approach this journey on my own terms
Take a chance before I fall
I am willing to risk failure for the opportunity to succeed
You can hang in a left or hang in a right
One has the freedom to make their own decisions
The choice it is yours to do as you might
The decision is yours to make according to your own wishes
The road is open wide to place your bidding
The possibilities for your journey are endless
Now, wherever you turn, wherever you go
No matter what direction you take in life
If you get it wrong, at least you can know
Even if you fail, you will gain knowledge from the experience
There's miles and miles to put it back together!
There is always an opportunity to recover from a failure
Making a curve or taking the strain
Regardless of the obstacles you face
On the decline, or out on the wain
Whether you are experiencing success or failure
Oh everybody breaks down sooner or later
Everyone will experience hardship at some point in their life
We'll put it to rights, we'll square up and mend
We will repair and recover from our failures
Back on your feet to take the next bend!
We will overcome adversity and continue on our journey
Yes, I'm heading out to the highway
I am committed to beginning this new journey
I got nothing to lose at all. I got nothing to lose at all!
I am not afraid of failure or loss; I will take my chances and persevere
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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. ✌