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)
Rocka Rolla
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sorts the men out from the boys
Takes no messin', all in wrestlin'
Is one of her pride and joys
She a classy, flashy lassy
Imitation sapphire shine
Two faced liar, full of fire
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her
If you think you can
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her you can
She's a grip and choke ya
Heavy smoker
Wrong side of the law
Midnight shady
Good time lady
Heavy, ready show you what for
Barroom fighter
Ten pint a nighter
Definite ninety-nine
Diamond cluster
Knuckle duster
Feline on the borderline
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her
If you think you can
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her you can
In Judas Priest's "Rocka Rolla," the lyrics depict a powerful woman who is not to be messed with. She is described as a "man-eating" momma who uses a "steam-driven hammer" to sort men out from the boys. Her pride and joy is in wrestling and she takes no messing from anyone. Despite being a classy, flashy lady with an imitation sapphire shine, she is also a two-faced liar full of fire, yet still, the flame is the singer's.
The song paints an image of a barroom fighter, heavy smoker, and midnight shady good-time lady who is always ready to show you "what for." She is depicted as a definite ninety-nine ten-pint-a-nighter sporting a diamond cluster knuckle duster. All these images frame a wild and dangerous woman who is only for a "rocka rolla man." Whoever wants her can take her, but he must certainly think twice before doing so.
From the lyrics, it is clear that the singer has a keen interest in this powerful woman, and though he knows she is dangerous and not to be messed with, he feels that he can handle her. The song is a powerful ode to the attraction felt for someone even when knowing they may have the potential to cause harm.
Line by Line Meaning
Man eatin momma, steam driven hammer
A powerful and intimidating woman, who is capable of chewing up men and using a hammer to sort out the weaker ones.
Sorts the men out from the boys
She separates the strong men from the weaker ones.
Takes no messin', all in wrestlin'
She doesn't tolerate any nonsense and is skilled in wrestling.
Is one of her pride and joys
Being physically strong and intimidating is something she takes great pride in.
She a classy, flashy lassy
She is stylish and flashy.
Imitation sapphire shine
Her jewelry may look valuable, but it's actually imitation.
Two faced liar, full of fire
She is deceitful and has a fiery personality.
But I know the flame is mine
Despite her fiery nature, the artist feels like he can control her.
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
This type of woman is perfect for a man who loves rock and roll music and the lifestyle that goes with it.
You can take her if you want her
If you think you can handle her, you can try to be with her.
If you think you can
But it's not going to be easy.
She's a grip and choke ya
She is physically strong and may even use force to control her partner.
Heavy smoker
She smokes heavily.
Wrong side of the law
She may engage in illegal activities.
Midnight shady
She operates in the dark and shady parts of town.
Good time lady
She enjoys having a good time.
Heavy, ready show you what for
She is ready to show someone who's boss.
Barroom fighter
She is willing to fight in a bar.
Ten pint a nighter
She drinks heavily and frequents bars often.
Definite ninety-nine
She is a definite force to be reckoned with.
Diamond cluster
She wears expensive jewelry.
Knuckle duster
She may even wear brass knuckles to fight.
Feline on the borderline
She is like a cat, always balancing between different sides of the law or different emotions.
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
This is a repeated line that emphasizes the idea that this type of woman is perfect for a man who loves rock and roll music and the lifestyle that goes with it.
You can take her if you want her you can
This repeated line is a reminder that trying to be with this type of woman is not easy, but it's still possible if you're willing to take the risk.
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: GLENN TIPTON, KENNETH DOWNING, ROBERT HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Psbella17
Man eatin momma, steam driven hammer
Sorts the men out from the boys
Takes no messin', all in wrestlin'
Is one of her pride and joys
She a classy, flashy lassy
Imitation sapphire shine
Two faced liar, full of fire
But I know the flame is mine
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her
If you think you can
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her you can
She's a grip and choke ya
Heavy smoker
Wrong side of the law
Midnight shady
Good time lady
Heavy, ready show you what for
Barroom fighter
Ten pint a nighter
Definite ninety-nine
Diamond cluster
Knuckle duster
Feline on the borderline
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her
If you think you can
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her you can
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her you can
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her you can
Rocka rolla woman for a rocka rolla man
You can take her if you want her you can
@benstephenson8993
The many different phases of Rob Halford. From flower child, to biker, to whips and chains, to old sea captain
@Ikeebeabuchi
Lol
@robertjamesliguori9826
Lol
@lennypichardoborrello6532
would love to se all of them side by side
@iwontbebeat7111
😂 Where is sea captain came from ? LoL 😂
@thonatim5321
@@iwontbebeat7111 Halford is a pickle puffer.
@theartofhavoc5467
Glenn Tipton always looked like a guy in his late 30's - no matter if he was 22 or 59. Incredible.
@astinus4
THE ART OF HAVOC vampire I reckon
@maxgrim1672
He have Parkinson ..this is so sad !
@samaelcoral7297
Looks like young steve vai here!