Judas Priest's "Breaking The Law": A Song's True Meaning

Judas Priest's 'Breaking the Law' is a heavy metal song that first featured on the 1980 album 'British Steel'. The song is about someone who, tired of the mundanity of their everyday life, takes a chance and starts breaking the law. The track is known for its opening guitar riff, as well as its sound effects, including breaking glass and a police siren. The song's music video, directed by Julien Temple, features the band as bank robbers.

The song's music video

Judas Priest's music video for "Breaking the Law" features the band as bank robbers. It starts with vocalist Rob Halford riding in a 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado convertible towards a bank, singing the first verse. He meets up with the rest of the band at the bank, and they break in, using their instruments to bring the customers to their knees. They then break into the safe and steal a gold disc for the parent album, British Steel, which had not yet gone gold at the time of filming.

Meanwhile, a security guard is seen sleeping in front of the security TV, but he is awoken by the loud music. Instead of taking action, he just looks on in amazement. As the band leaves, the guard picks up an air guitar and starts playing along.

The video ends with the full band driving back along the A40, repeating the chorus until the song ends. The video was directed by Julien Temple and was likely the first-ever heavy metal conceptual video.

The political slant of the lyrics

"Breaking the Law" is a song by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, released in 1980 on their album British Steel. The song is one of the band's more well-known singles and is instantly recognised by its opening guitar riff.

The lyrics of "Breaking the Law" reflect the social and political turmoil of the time in the UK. The country was experiencing a period of government strife, with the miners' and car unions' strikes, as well as street riots. In an interview, lead singer Rob Halford said that the song was his attempt to "connect with that feeling that was out there".

The song tells the story of someone who becomes disillusioned with their mundane life and decides to break the law. This theme resonates with the social unrest and frustration felt by many people during the time of Margaret Thatcher's rise to power. The lyrics "completely wasting, out of work and down" capture the sentiment of those who felt ignored and marginalised by the government.

While the song expresses understanding for the frustration that could lead someone to break the law, it does not condone or encourage law-breaking. Instead, it serves as a reflection of the social and political climate of the time, channelling the anger and frustration felt by many.

The music video for "Breaking the Law" also adds to the song's impact. It features the band as bank robbers, using their musical instruments to incapacitate the people in the bank. The security guard, instead of stopping them, is awestruck and starts playing air guitar. This lighthearted portrayal further distances the song from any direct incitement to break the law, while still capturing the rebellious and anarchic spirit of the time.

The sound effects used

The band achieved these sounds through inventive means. The police siren, for example, was produced by guitarist K.K. Downing, who used the tremolo or whammy bar on his Stratocaster guitar to create the distinctive effect. This technique added a layer of authenticity and grittiness to the song, reflecting the social unrest of the time in the UK.

The breaking glass effect was also created through a practical approach. The band used milk bottles delivered by a local milkman to capture the sound of shattering glass. This effect was not a pre-recorded sample but rather a live, organic sound, enhancing the raw energy of the song.

These sound effects were not merely creative choices but also served a narrative purpose. The combination of police sirens and breaking glass reinforced the song's theme of rebellion and social turmoil. It connected with the listeners who were experiencing the political strife and strikes in the UK at the time.

The use of these sound effects demonstrates the band's commitment to creating an immersive listening experience. By incorporating these sounds, Judas Priest added depth to the song's message and provided a powerful auditory representation of the era's unrest.

Overall, the sound effects in "Breaking the Law" are a testament to the band's creativity and attention to detail. Through their use of practical effects and musical techniques, Judas Priest crafted a song that not only resonated with the social climate but also left a lasting impact on the world of heavy metal music.

The song's place in music history

Judas Priest's "Breaking the Law" is one of the heavy metal band's most well-known singles, recognised by its opening guitar riff. The song was originally released on their 1980 album "British Steel", which marked the culmination of the band's move towards a simpler, less processed sound. The song's main hooks are its minor-key opening riff and rhythmic chorus. The song also features sound effects, including breaking glass and a police siren, which were created by the band during recording.

The song's music video, directed by Julien Temple, depicts the band as bank robbers. The video features vocalist Rob Halford driving a 1974 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado convertible, meeting up with the rest of the band disguised as priests outside a bank. They break into the bank, incapacitate the people inside with their music, and steal a golden record award for the "British Steel" album. The video ends with the band driving away, repeating the chorus.

"Breaking the Law" has been a staple of Judas Priest's live performances since its release, with the band often changing up the arrangement and tempo. The song has been covered by other artists, including a modified version by American queercore band Pansy Division, who performed it live with Rob Halford.

"Breaking the Law" has received critical acclaim, being named one of the greatest metal songs by VH1 and Rolling Stone. It has been recognised for its iconic opening riff and its place in heavy metal history. PopMatters described the song as "wasting no time in getting into listeners' heads".

The song's lyrics were inspired by the social and political unrest in the UK at the time, including strikes, riots, and the rise of Margaret Thatcher. The song tells the story of someone tired of the ordinary life who starts breaking the law.

The band's image

Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band formed in West Bromwich in 1969. The band has sold over 50 million copies of their albums to date and is frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Their image and artistic choices have been influential in the music industry, particularly during the glam metal era of the 1980s.

The band's early years saw them grapple with indifferent record production and a lack of commercial success. However, their persistence and dedication to their craft paid off. By the time they released their album "British Steel" in 1980, they had refined their sound, opting for a more streamlined and simplified approach. This shift proved pivotal, catapulting them to rock superstardom.

The song "Breaking the Law" from the "British Steel" album exemplifies the band's signature style. It combines a recognisable minor-key opening riff with a rhythmic chorus, featuring sound effects like breaking glass and a police siren. The song's music video, directed by Julien Temple, showcases the band as bank robbers, adding a visual layer to the rebellious spirit of the song.

Judas Priest's impact extends beyond their music to their image and presence in the heavy metal genre. Their bold and unapologetic style has left an enduring mark on the evolution of metal.

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