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)
What's My Name
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pushing us around school
Everyone knew who you were
You always walked the line
We had to step aside
We always had to eat your dirt
But the tables turned
Time for a lesson
So let's spell it out again
Remind me just in case
You might have forgotten
What's my name?
Say it again
You always brought us down
Kicked the weak around
Making out that we didn't exist
When we'd speak our views
You'd say 'who are you'
And make your point with a fist
But the tables turned
And things have changed
Time for a lesson
So let's spell it out again
Remind me just in case
You might have forgotten
What's my name?
Say it again
The lyrics for Judas Priest's What's My Name describe the experience of being bullied by someone who is seen as "cool" and powerful. The singer describes how this person would push people around at school and everyone knew who they were, and how they would make those weaker than themselves eat their dirt. They also describe how this person would dismiss their opinions and use physical violence to make their point.
However, the tables have turned and things have changed. The singer now has the power to teach this bully a lesson and remind them of who they are. They ask the bully to say their name again, as if to assert their newfound confidence and identity. The repetitive nature of the chorus emphasizes the importance of knowing one's own name and standing up for oneself.
Overall, the song is a powerful anthem about standing up to bullies and refusing to be pushed around. It acknowledges the pain that comes with being bullied, but ultimately celebrates the strength that can come from overcoming it.
Line by Line Meaning
You always were too cool
You were always trying to act superior and we could never match your level of coolness.
Pushing us around school
You never let us forget that you were in charge and always pushed us around while we were at school.
Everyone knew who you were
You were so important that everyone at school knew who you were and treated you with respect and admiration.
You always walked the line
You always remained within the limits and never crossed any boundaries and never got into trouble.
We had to step aside
We never got a chance to stand up to you or to have our say as we always had to step aside when you came by.
We always had to eat your dirt
We used to constantly get humiliated and belittled by you and had to put up with your humiliating treatment.
But the tables turned
But now the tables have turned.
And things have changed
The times have changed and things are no longer the same as they used to be.
Time for a lesson
It's time for you to learn a lesson for all the mistreatment that we suffered at your hands.
So let's spell it out again
We need to reiterate and state clearly what we want to convey to you.
Remind me just in case
Let's remind you of what you need to know just in case you have forgotten.
You might have forgotten
It seems that you might have forgotten all the harm you caused us in the past.
What's my name?
We want to remind you of who we are and what we stand for.
Say it again
We are requesting you to say our name again to remind yourself of who we are and what we represent.
You always brought us down
You used to bring us down and make us feel inferior to you.
Kicked the weak around
You never hesitated to abuse and hurt those who were weak and vulnerable.
Making out that we didn't exist
You used to make us feel worthless and insignificant as if we did not exist at all.
When we'd speak our views
When we had something to say and shared our opinions, you used to disregard us and never pay attention to our views.
You'd say 'who are you'
You used to question our existence and made us feel like we were nothing in front of you.
And make your point with a fist
You never relied on words to make your point but always resorted to violence and used your fists to get to your point.
Contributed by Riley K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Does it Matter
You always were too cool
Pushing us around school
Everyone knew who you were
You always walked the line
We had to step aside
We always had to eat your dirt
But the tables turned
And things have changed
Time for a lesson
So let's spell it out again
Remind me just in case
You might have forgotten
What's my name?
Say it again
You always brought us down
Kicked the weak around
Making out that we didn't exist
When we'd speak our views
You'd say 'who are you'
And make your point with a fist
But the tables turned
And things have changed
Time for a lesson
So let's spell it out again
Remind me just in case
You might have forgotten
What's my name?
Say it again
Vinay Mulukutla
This is the only song that Ripper ever got to write with Judas Priest in his time with them. It was written by Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing and Ripper Owens. Really should have been on the album as one of the main tracks.
Rodney Brimer
I have mad respect for ripper . There is so many metal bands that would benefit from having ripper as they're vocalist. Very talented vocalist
jimthar17
But the guy can't seem to keep a job. He's been in about 6 groups by now. Great vocalist but he can't seem to keep a gig.
mark stuart
@jimthar17, the more bands he's in, the more albums we get with him.
tylerdude1982
Good vocalist, but the man cannot sing a ballad to save his life
tylerdude1982
@Dynamo Lost and Found? I repeat my previous statement.
John Miller
I'm probably seriously in the minority, but my favourite Judas Priest albums, are "Jugulator" & "Demolition". I honestly think they are awesome, and really don't understand the negativity towards them. I love the Rob Halford version of Priest, and have all their albums. However, the 2 comeback albums, "Angel Of Retribution", & "Nostradamus", in my opinion, are not a patch on the 2 Ripper releases. I like them, because Priest are a cut above most bands anyway, but I'm hoping for a big improvement with their new 2014 release.
John Miller
I think Halford's a fantastic singer, and as far as his sexuality is concerned, I couldn't care less. My daughter married her girlfriend last year, and I'm proud of her.
Dawid van Straaten
Halford is a great singer. I'll take the blasphemy to another level I enjoy the two Ripper Judas Priest albums more than any of the ones with Halford, and I love the Halford Fight albums more than anything Halford did with Judas Priest.
Shane Hinkle Media Productions
+Metal Neck 95 I'm with you there...Angel of Retribution is probably my favorite overall album by Priest. So underrated, and such an amazing comeback album. Everyone in the band came out so strong on that album. Honestly, I think Demolition is my second favorite because when I listen to it I subconsciously think I am listening to a different band altogether, but the riffs are good and the melodies are cool. I am embarrassed for them when I hear Redeemer of Souls