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)
Subterfuge
Judas Priest Lyrics
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Preaching peace as you go to war
Politicians making brave decisions
Always got self interest at heart
We are to you just a drop in the ocean
Maybe that's true but it's only a notion
You integrate with a friendly intrusion
Subterfuge deludes the views of you and me
We're confused but still we choose to disagree
Subterfuge consumes us but defiantly
We refuse to bow down to conformity
Evil mothers hiding under covers
Always near but just out of sight
Hey big brother watch as we recover
'Cause we'll never give up the fight
And we say no!
Give us a name and you give us the power
Watch as we gather our strength by the hour
You think we're blind and weak in decision
But we see it all from peripheral vision
Subterfuge deludes the views of you and me
We're confused but still we choose to disagree
Subterfuge consumes us but defiantly
We refuse to bow down to conformity
Somebody wins, somebody lose
Some call it subterfuge
Somebody wins, somebody lose
They fall to subterfuge
Subterfuge deludes the views of you and me
We're confused but still we choose to disagree
Subterfuge consumes us but defiantly
We refuse to bow down to conformity
Somebody wins, somebody lose
Some call it subterfuge
Somebody wins, somebody lose
They fall to subterfuge
The lyrics of Judas Priest's song "Subterfuge" criticize the way those in positions of power manipulate others for their own benefit. The song begins with a reference to religious figures who claim to be preaching peace but wage wars and drink "fire water" (an alcoholic beverage). Similarly, politicians who claim to make "brave decisions" are ultimately only interested in themselves. The song suggests that those in power see the masses as just "a drop in the ocean," but the people won't be fooled by their "subterfuge" and have come to a firm "conclusion."
The lyrics also reference "evil mothers" who hide "under covers" and are always near but out of sight, suggesting that there are unseen forces manipulating events. However, the song asserts that the people will never give up the fight and refuse to bow down to conformity. The repeated refrain of "subterfuge deludes the views of you and me," emphasizes the idea that those in power use manipulation to control the masses.
Overall, the lyrics of "Subterfuge" question those in power and suggest that people can see through their manipulations and assert their own agency in the face of conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
Holy father drink the fire water
Religious leaders lead with a hypocritical nature
Preaching peace as you go to war
Religious leaders advocating peace while supporting war efforts
Politicians making brave decisions
Politicians act bravely when they do not have to face the consequences of their actions
Always got self interest at heart
Politicians solely focus on furthering their own careers and agendas
We are to you just a drop in the ocean
To those in power, ordinary citizens are insignificant and unimportant
Maybe that's true but it's only a notion
Although it may seem true, it is a misconception
You integrate with a friendly intrusion
The powerful infiltrate everyday life with a seemingly benign presence
We won't get fooled we have come to conclusion
Ordinary citizens have become aware of the power structures at play and will no longer be deceived
Subterfuge deludes the views of you and me
Subterfuge deceives the perspectives of both the powerful and ordinary citizens alike
We're confused but still we choose to disagree
Although confused, ordinary citizens will still stand up for what they believe in and disagree with those in power
Subterfuge consumes us but defiantly
Even though subterfuge overwhelms us, we will fight back
We refuse to bow down to conformity
Ordinary citizens will not conform to the oppressive power structures in place
Evil mothers hiding under covers
Those in power may appear harmless, but are doing harm behind closed doors
Always near but just out of sight
The true nature of those in power is hidden from the public eye
Hey big brother watch as we recover
Ordinary citizens will regain their strength and fight back against oppressive power structures
'Cause we'll never give up the fight
Ordinary citizens will persist in standing up for their beliefs
Give us a name and you give us the power
Those in power try to limit the power of ordinary citizens by labeling them
Watch as we gather our strength by the hour
Every moment that passes, ordinary citizens gain more strength to fight for their beliefs
You think we're blind and weak in decision
Those in power believe ordinary citizens are incapable of making informed decisions
But we see it all from peripheral vision
Ordinary citizens see things from different perspectives and may have a wider view than those in power
Somebody wins, somebody lose
There is always a winner and a loser in power dynamics
Some call it subterfuge
These imbalanced power dynamics are called subterfuge by some
They fall to subterfuge
Those who are not aware of or capable of resisting oppressive power structures, succumb to subterfuge
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON, CHRISTOPHER ANDRE TSANGARIDES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind