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)
Wheels of Fire
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of the track
Gotta get outta here
I won't look back
Born on the other side
Wild as a hurricane
Living in overdrive
Wheels of fire
In my soul
Wheels of fire
Wheels of fire
Let 'em roll
Too fast to give a damn
Stand my ground
No one or anything
To tie me down
Ride to live
Live to ride
Wheels of fire
Forever
The lyrics to Judas Priest's song Wheels of Fire speak to the theme of rebellion and escaping the confines of a restrictive life. The singer of the song expresses a desire to leave their current circumstances behind and start a new life. They can no longer tolerate the limitations that have been placed on them and yearn for a sense of freedom. The repeated line "Born on the other side" emphasizes the idea that the singer is not content with their current situation and longs to be on a different path.
The song also speaks to the concept of living life to the fullest and embracing risk. The lyric "Wild as a hurricane, living in overdrive" suggests that the singer is not afraid to take risks and live on the edge. The chorus of the song, "Wheels of fire in my soul, let 'em roll" further emphasizes the idea of embracing risk and following one's passions. The final lyric "Ride to live, live to ride" summarizes the song's overall message - to live life to the fullest, take risks, and pursue one's passions.
Line by Line Meaning
Born on the other side
I was born and raised in a less privileged part of town, away from the glitz and glamour.
Of the track
I was brought up in a place that's not considered mainstream or socially acceptable.
Gotta get outta here
I want to escape from this dull and limited way of life.
I won't look back
I am focused on leaving this place behind, and I won't let myself be held back by nostalgia or regret.
Wild as a hurricane
I have a free spirit and a strong will that can't be tamed by anyone or anything.
Living in overdrive
I am always pushing myself to the limit, never settling for less than what I want.
Wheels of fire
My passion for life and desire to succeed are driving me forward, like flames that never burn out.
In my soul
These feelings of inspiration and determination are deep within me, and fueling everything I do.
Let 'em roll
I am ready to take on whatever challenges come my way, and I won't stop until I reach my goals.
Too fast to give a damn
I move so quickly that I don't have time to worry about what others might think of me or slow me down.
Stand my ground
I am steadfast in my convictions, and won't back down from a challenge or threat.
No one or anything
There's nothing in this world that can scare me or hold me back from achieving my dreams.
To tie me down
I refuse to be weighed down by convention, expectations, or anyone else's fears or regrets.
Ride to live
I am living my life to the fullest every day, taking risks and chasing adventure wherever I can.
Live to ride
My love of the open road, my motorcycle, and the thrill of the ride are the things that keep me going and inspire me to keep moving forward.
Wheels of fire
My passion, drive, and fearlessness are the very essence of who I am, and will never be extinguished.
Forever
I will always be chasing my dreams, and nothing can stop me from living my life on my own terms.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KENNETH DOWNING, ROBERT HALFORD, GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind