Cecily Zamora
Breaking the Law is a song by British heavy metal band Judas Priest, originally released on their 1980 album British Steel. The song is one of the band's better-known singles, recognised by its opening guitar riff. The song has been played live almost constantly since its release and has slowly evolved over the years, for example, with an added guitar solo by K.K. Downing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the band | Judas Priest |
| Song | Breaking the Law |
| Album | British Steel |
| Year of release | 1980 |
| Band members | Rob Halford, K.K. Downing, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, Dave Holland |
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What You'll Learn
- The song was originally performed by Judas Priest
- The song has been covered by American queercore band Pansy Division
- The band recorded the song at Tittenhurst Park, the home of Ringo Starr
- The song has evolved over time, with the band raising the tempo during live performances
- The band used milk bottles to create the sound of breaking glass
The song was originally performed by Judas Priest
The song "Breaking the Law" was originally performed by Judas Priest. The song was released on the album British Steel, and has been a popular staple at some of the band's most famous performances. The performance version of the song has changed since 1980, with the band raising the tempo of the song during live performances and adding a solo by K.K. Downing. Since Downing's departure, his replacement Richie Faulkner has composed a new solo.
The song features some sound effects, including the sound of breaking glass and a police siren. The band used milk bottles to create the breaking glass effect, and the police siren was created by guitarist K.K. Downing using the tremolo arm on his Stratocaster.
"Breaking the Law" has been played live almost constantly since its release and has slowly evolved over the years. For example, on the Angel of Retribution tour, the band played the opening riff with Halford picking for Downing, Downing picking for Tipton, and Tipton picking for Hill.
The song was also covered with modified lyrics by American queercore band Pansy Division, who performed the song live with Rob Halford on one occasion.
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The song has been covered by American queercore band Pansy Division
The song 'Breaking the Law' was originally performed by Judas Priest, and has been a staple of their live performances since the 1980s. The song has been covered by American queercore band Pansy Division, who modified the lyrics and performed the song live with Rob Halford on one occasion.
Pansy Division's cover of 'Breaking the Law' is a unique take on the original. While the song's message remains largely the same, the band added their own flavour to the music and lyrics, making it their own. The cover is a testament to the enduring popularity of the song and its ability to resonate with different audiences.
The original song, written and performed by Judas Priest, is a hard rock anthem with a driving rhythm and powerful vocals. It tells the story of a person who takes a chance and starts breaking the law, with sound effects like breaking glass and police sirens adding to the drama. The song has become a staple of Judas Priest's live performances, with the band often changing up the arrangement and raising the tempo to keep things fresh.
Pansy Division's version of 'Breaking the Law' brings a new perspective to the song. As an American queercore band, their interpretation of the lyrics and music adds a layer of social commentary and a unique sound. Their cover is a reflection of the band's own experiences and perspectives, while still paying homage to the original.
By covering 'Breaking the Law', Pansy Division not only pays tribute to a classic rock song but also makes a statement about their own identity and values. The song becomes a platform for them to express their own brand of rebellion and individuality, connecting with their audience in a powerful way. Their cover is a reminder that music is a versatile and evolving art form, capable of transcending genres and generations.
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The band recorded the song at Tittenhurst Park, the home of Ringo Starr
Judas Priest recorded the song 'Breaking the Law' at Tittenhurst Park, the home of Ringo Starr, drummer for The Beatles. The song was recorded as part of the album *British Steel*. The recording features sound effects, including the sound of breaking glass and a police siren. The band used milk bottles to create the sound of breaking glass, and the police siren was created by guitarist K.K. Downing using the tremolo arm on his Stratocaster.
Since the song was released, it has become a staple at some of Judas Priest's most famous performances. The performance version of the song has changed over time. Initially, the band played the song as it was originally recorded on *British Steel*. However, in more recent performances, the band has sometimes played the opening riff with Halford picking for Downing, Downing picking for Tipton, and Tipton picking for Hill, before moving to their usual positions on stage for the verse. The band has also raised the tempo of the song during live performances, and a solo was added by Downing. Since his departure, Richie Faulkner, his replacement, composed a new solo.
The song has also been covered with modified lyrics by the American queercore band Pansy Division, who performed the song live with Rob Halford on one occasion.
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The song has evolved over time, with the band raising the tempo during live performances
Judas Priest's song 'Breaking the Law' has evolved over time, with the band raising the tempo during live performances. The song was first performed on the 1981 World Wide Blitz Tour, and since then, the band has experimented with different riffs and solos. For example, on the Angel of Retribution tour, the band played the opening riff with Halford picking for Downing, Downing picking for Tipton, and Tipton picking for Hill. They would then quickly spread apart to their usual positions on stage for the verse.
The song has also featured sound effects, including the sound of breaking glass and a police siren. To create the breaking glass effect, the band used milk bottles, and the police siren was guitarist K.K. Downing using the tremolo arm on his Stratocaster.
Over time, the band has raised the tempo of the song during live performances, and a solo was added by Downing. Since his departure, his replacement, Richie Faulkner, has composed a new solo.
In live performances, Halford ends the song by screaming the words "Breaking the Law". The song was also covered with modified lyrics by the American queercore band Pansy Division, who performed the song live with Rob Halford on one occasion.
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The band used milk bottles to create the sound of breaking glass
Judas Priest used milk bottles to create the sound of breaking glass in their song 'Breaking the Law'. The song was recorded at Tittenhurst Park, the home of The Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr. The band have played the song live almost constantly since its release, and it has evolved over the years, with an added guitar solo by K.K. Downing. The performance version of the song has changed since 1980: at first, the band would play it the original way it was on British Steel. More recently, the band have sometimes played the opening riff with Halford picking for Downing, Downing picking for Tipton and Tipton picking for Hill, then quickly spreading apart to their respective usual positions on the stage for the verse. Over time, the band have raised the tempo of the song during live performances.
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Frequently asked questions
Judas Priest.
'Breaking the Law' is on the album *British Steel*.
K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton.
1980.
