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)
Jonny B. Goode
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Way back up in the woods amongst the evergreens
There stood an old cabin made of earth and wood
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
That never ever learned to read and write so well
But he could play a guitar just like ringing a bell
Go go. Go Johnny go
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
Old engineer sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
The people passing by would stop and say
"Oh my but how that little country boy could play"
Go go. Go Johnny go
Johnny B. Goode
His mother told him some day you will be a man
And you will be the leader of a big old band
Many people coming from miles around
To hear you play your music till the sun goes down
Maybe someday your name will be in lights, saying
Johnny B. Goode tonight
Go go. Go Johnny go
Johnny B. Goode
The lyrics to Judas Priest's cover of Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" tell the story of a talented country boy named Johnny who lived in an old cabin deep in the Louisiana woods. Despite never learning to read or write well, he had a natural talent for playing the guitar that was unrivaled. He would carry his guitar in a gunny sack, go sit beneath a tree by the railroad tracks, and play to the rhythm of passing train engines. People passing by would stop to watch and marvel at his skill.
Although Johnny was born and raised in the country, his mother had big dreams for him. She believed that someday he would be the leader of a famous band, and that people from all over would come to hear him play. Johnny's mother foresaw a future where her son's name would be in lights, a prediction that would ultimately come true. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Go Johnny go" as a way of encouraging Johnny to pursue his dreams and share his talent with the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep down in Louisiana close to New Orleans
Johnny B. Goode came from Louisiana near New Orleans
Way back up in the woods amongst the evergreens
His house was situated in the woods surrounded by evergreens
There stood an old cabin made of earth and wood
The cabin he lived in was made of wood and earth
Where lived a country boy named Johnny B. Goode
Johnny B. Goode was a country boy who lived in that cabin
That never ever learned to read and write so well
He was not an educated person and was not good at reading and writing
But he could play a guitar just like ringing a bell
His guitar skills were exceptional and mesmerizing like a ringing bell
Go go. Go Johnny go
The song encourages Johnny to play his guitar
He used to carry his guitar in a gunny sack
He carried his guitar in a sack made of gunny material
Go sit beneath the tree by the railroad track
He used to sit under a tree beside the railway track
Old engineer sitting in the shade
There used to be an old engineer sitting in the shade
Strumming with the rhythm that the drivers made
He played the guitar with the rhythm of the passing trains
The people passing by would stop and say
People who passed by used to stop and appreciate his music
"Oh my but how that little country boy could play"
People were amazed by the talent of the young country boy
His mother told him some day you will be a man
His mother encouraged him by saying that he would grow up to become a man someday
And you will be the leader of a big old band
She had a dream that he would one day become the leader of a big band
Many people coming from miles around
People would come from miles around to hear him play
To hear you play your music till the sun goes down
They would listen to his music until sunset
Maybe someday your name will be in lights, saying
She dreamt that his name would be in bright lights
Johnny B. Goode tonight
And people would be saying "Johnny B. Goode tonight"
Go go. Go Johnny go
The song encourages Johnny to play his guitar
Johnny B. Goode
The song is dedicated to Johnny B. Goode, a talented young musician
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLIE DANIELS, BRENDAN COKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tim Brockmire
My first Priest show was when they filmed Screaming For Memphis Live in 82. I have it on DVD and watch it regularly.
I also saw the following Tours:
Defenders Of The Faith
Ram It Down
30th Anniversary Of British Steel
Angel Of Retribution
Redeemer Of Souls
Firepower (2X)
IanRob2011
I’m 74 and female. The mighty Priest is my favorite rock band. Long live the Metal God and the best live act I’ve ever seen!!
Ozzy Stanely
God bless You Lady!!! and keep your perfect taste intact!!!! HMR rules)))
Wiserpriest04
You Rules Mam...🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻...GOD BLESS YOU
Anna Bradshaw
Hell yes girl
Hank Hardon
Lol granny ..I love preist
Hank Hardon
Time to go back to bed 😘
Michael Olin
I'm 45, when I hear Rob hit those high notes I still get chills! This is good stuff.
Dan Ahern
Yeah epic song👍👍👍
Megalodon Sean Casey
They should have gotten Michael J Fox to play air guitar on this video
scoolzdevries
I'm 50, young man. And I feel the same way!!! 😂