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)
awakening
Judas Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I prepare myself to ask
Never knowing what may come
Oh! Oh!
Close the door and turn the key
Breathing in uncertainty
As my heart begins to race
The lyrics of Judas Priest's "Awakening" convey a person's hesitation and apprehension as they prepare themselves to ask an important and possibly life-changing question. The first verse sets the scene, with the evening slowly fading away and the person getting ready to take action. But there's an air of uncertainty and nervousness - they don't know what the response will be. The second verse heightens this tension even further, with the person locking themselves in and feeling their heart race as they steel themselves for what's to come.
These lyrics could be interpreted in many ways, depending on the listener's own experiences and perspectives. The question being asked could be anything from a marriage proposal to a job interview to simply confessing one's feelings to a crush. The fear and uncertainty that comes with taking a leap of faith is universal, and this song perfectly captures that feeling.
Overall, "Awakening" is a powerful song that encapsulates the universal experience of being scared to take a risk. The lyrics capture the tension and uncertainty of the moment, while the music builds to a climax that's both heart-pumping and cathartic.
Line by Line Meaning
As the evening comes to pass
As the end of the day draws near
I prepare myself to ask
I prepare myself mentally for what lies ahead
Never knowing what may come
With no idea what's about to happen
Close the door and turn the key
Making sure the door is locked and secured
Breathing in uncertainty
Feeling anxious and uncertain
As my heart begins to race
As my heart beats faster with anticipation or fear
Oh! Oh!
An expression of strong emotion, either excitement or fear, or both.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN TIPTON, GLENN RAYMOND TIPTON, K.K. DOWNING, KENNETH DOWNING, ROBERT HALFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind