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)
Hell Bent for Leather
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never knowing when he'll appear
All await, engine's ticking over
Hear the roar as they sense the fear
Wheels,
A glint of steel and a flash of light
Screams,
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
Black as night, faster than a shadow
Crimson flare from a raging sun
An exhibition, of sheer precision
Yet no one knows from where he comes
Fools
Self destruct cannot take that crown
Dreams
Crash one by one to the ground
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
There's many who tried to prove that they're faster
But they didn't last and they died as they tried
There's many who tried to prove that they're faster
But they didn't last and they died as they tried
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
The lyrics to Judas Priest's classic song "Hell Bent for Leather" are a celebration of the freedom and excitement of the open road and the thrill of speed. The song describes a mysterious figure known as "he" who is a master of the highway, able to appear at any moment and leave just as quickly. The sound of the engine revving up represents the anticipation and excitement of those waiting to see him, while the roar of the engine as he speeds away symbolizes the fear and awe he inspires.
The imagery in the song is vivid and powerful, depicting the rider as a shadowy figure on a black motorcycle, moving faster than the speed of light. The lyrics also suggest that this rider is something of a rebel, challenging conventional ideas about safety and caution. The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "hell bent for leather," reinforces the idea that this is someone who is willing to take risks and push the limits of what is possible.
Overall, "Hell Bent for Leather" is a powerful anthem that captures the spirit of freedom and rebellion that has always been a hallmark of rock music.
Line by Line Meaning
Seek him here, seek him on the highway
He cannot be located easily, as he moves fast across different locations
Never knowing when he'll appear
It's unpredictable when he will be seen or when he will take action
All await, engine's ticking over
People are anxiously waiting for him, as they hear the sound of his engine in the distance
Hear the roar as they sense the fear
People are scared of his power and speed, and they can hear his presence even from far away
Wheels,
The sound of his vehicle moving is loud and distinct
A glint of steel and a flash of light
He is dangerous and lightning fast
Screams,
The sound he makes is so loud, it can cause people to scream
From a streak of fire as he strikes
His movements are incredibly fast and powerful, causing sparks of fire and destruction
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
He is going full power and won't stop for anything or anyone, even if it means risking his life
Black as night, faster than a shadow
His vehicle and himself are dark and mysterious, and he moves so fast he is barely visible
Crimson flare from a raging sun
He leaves a trail of destruction and mayhem behind him
An exhibition, of sheer precision
He is a skilled driver, and his movements are precise and calculated
Yet no one knows from where he comes
His origins are unknown, and he is a mystery to all who meet him
Fools
Those who try to compete with him are foolish, as they will never stand a chance
Self destruct cannot take that crown
People will never be able to surpass him, and trying to do so will lead to their downfall
Dreams
People dream of being as powerful and fast as him
Crash one by one to the ground
However, those dreams are impossible to achieve, and will only result in failure
There's many who tried to prove that they're faster
Many people have attempted to challenge him and prove that they are better than him
But they didn't last and they died as they tried
However, they all failed and lost their lives trying to compete with him
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
He is still going full force and won't stop for anything or anyone
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
He is willing to put everything on the line and take risks in order to remain the best
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
He is committed to his path and there is no turning back
Hell bent, hell bent for leather
Even if it means risking his life, he will always move forward and take charge
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
비정한세상
Seek him here, seek him on the highway
Never knowing when he'll appear
All await, engine's ticking over
Hear the roar as they sense the fear
Wheels! A glint of steel and a flash of light!
Screams! From a streak of fire as he strikes!
Hell bent for leather
Black as night, faster than a shadow
Crimson flare from a raging sun
An exhibition, of sheer precision
Yet no one knows from where he comes
Fools! Self destruct cannot take that crown
Dreams! Crash one by one to the ground
There's many who tried to prove that they're faster
But they didn't last and they died as they tried
Lori Curl
This was the first band I'd heard play drums and sing like this. Add the guitar - I was hooked. My favorite band ever!! I was 15 then, Now I am 58 and they are still my # 1. I have the vinyl to this day and it's in great condition too!
Metal Piano Music
I just made a Piano arrangement of “Before the Dawn” let me know what you think!!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
JB
If the vinyl is still good, then you haven't played it enough.
Lori Curl
Dill Clinton Still!
Stefano Teofili
The same for me. I was 14 on 1980 and still here defending the faith
Lori Curl
@JB Very True!
비정한세상
Seek him here, seek him on the highway
Never knowing when he'll appear
All await, engine's ticking over
Hear the roar as they sense the fear
Wheels! A glint of steel and a flash of light!
Screams! From a streak of fire as he strikes!
Hell bent for leather
Black as night, faster than a shadow
Crimson flare from a raging sun
An exhibition, of sheer precision
Yet no one knows from where he comes
Fools! Self destruct cannot take that crown
Dreams! Crash one by one to the ground
There's many who tried to prove that they're faster
But they didn't last and they died as they tried
Oscar Adrian Arellano
When Rob enters the stage revving the motorcycle.
It's the true meaning of Metal.
MountainDew7
Or the true meaning of gay:)
Oskar Fransson
@MountainDew7 Just was i were about to write. But you got here first... Hellbent for beefcake