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)
One for he Road
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You would be nowhere at all
We wouldn't be here doing this now
If you weren't having a ball
One for the road, sharing our load, show us the way
Can you imagine the silence
Well thankfully we've got the license
To have us some fun with the boys
One for the road, sharing our load, show us the way
The melody line's fascinating
The rhythm is something divine
It sends our adrenaline racing
To see you all moving so fine
One for the road, sharing our load, show us the way
One for the road
The lyrics of Judas Priest's song One For The Road are an ode to the power and importance of music. The opening lines pose a question to the listener: where would you be without music? The answer is nowhere at all. The song emphasizes that music is not just a form of entertainment or a mere background noise, it is an essential part of our lives that brings people together in celebration and joy.
The catchy chorus of the song speaks to the importance of connecting with others through music: "One for the road, sharing our load, show us the way." The line "sharing our load" speaks to the idea that music can help us bear the weight of our problems and struggles, and that we can find solace and connection with others through shared experiences.
The verses of the song further emphasize the importance of music, painting a picture of a world without it - one that is silent and lacking in vibrancy. But thankfully, the band has the "license" to make music, to turn up the volume and have "some fun with the boys."
Overall, One For The Road celebrates the transformative power of music and reminds us that even in difficult times, music can bring us together and lift our spirits.
Line by Line Meaning
Where would you be without music
Imagine a world without music providing us with joy and escape.
You would be nowhere at all
Without music in our lives, we would lack meaning and purpose.
We wouldn't be here doing this now
If it weren't for the joy that music brings us, we wouldn't be sharing this moment together right now.
If you weren't having a ball
Music's ability to bring us happiness and positivity is what makes it so fundamental to our lives.
Can you imagine the silence
Silence without music is a scary thought and would leave us feeling empty and alone.
Not even the pink or white noise
Without music, we don't even have background noise to comfort us.
Well thankfully we've got the license
We're lucky to have access to music to add meaning to our lives.
To have us some fun with the boys
Music has the power to bring us together and create unforgettable experiences with our friends.
The melody line's fascinating
The beauty and complexity of music is truly captivating.
The rhythm is something divine
The rhythm of the beats that music offers us can evoke powerful feelings and moments.
It sends our adrenaline racing
Music's energy can have a profound effect on our bodies and minds, giving us a sense of excitement.
To see you all moving so fine
Seeing people enjoying the music and moving to the beat is a powerful reminder of the joy that music can bring.
One for the road, sharing our load, show us the way
Music can take us on journeys, bring us together and give us direction, it's truly special.
One for the road
Let's enjoy the ride, one more song for the road.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Penry
1974. I was 24 years old and I loved this music. Now I'm 69 years old, and I still love this music. Keep it coming.
Louis Csanko
JOHN THAT IS SO COOL// IN 1979 I WAS 12 AND DISCOVERED THE PRIEST// TODAY 1/19/2020 I AM 52 AND STILL LOVE JUDAS PRIEST// ROCK ON BROTHER \,,,/
Gary Rethford
Yeah I was 24 as well, stationed in Germany....US Army.
Louis Csanko
@Gary Rethford THANKYOU FOR SERVING AND PROTECTING// AND CRANK THE PRIEST \.../
Roy Garza
I hope to be the same way John
Jorge Vasquez
How awesome to hear this! 69 and rocking with Priest, how cool is that
Andrew Mize
I'm a latecomer to Judas Priest. So far I'm LOVING their early stuff.
Mi TeNieNTe
this debut album and sad wings of destiny are, in my opinion, best judas's albums
Cognitive Dissident
I was a latecomer in the mid 80s, and I heartily agree. Their 70's albums, IMO, are far better than the albums that introduced me to their music.
Gary Rethford
I been listening since the first album, but the album "Point of Entry" is the one that did it for me....absolutely flawless and awesome LP.