The Rage

Album: British Steel (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Frontman and lyricist Rob Halford told Billboard magazine: "We've never been a social or political band, but lyrically I think there was some of that in these songs, and on this one. It's all about being denied things in life. They're very potent lyrics."
  • Listening to the first 40 seconds of this song, you would guess it's a reggae band, not Judas Priest. The island groove is something guitarist Glenn Tipton came up with; his bandmates were skeptical, but they came around. When the guitar riff finally does come it, it holds more power following the unusual intro.
  • This is part of Judas Priest's British Steel album, which they recorded in one month at Tittenhurst Park in England, once owned by John Lennon. 1980 was an inflection point for Priest and for British metal as a whole: As punk waned, metal became surprisingly trendy, and the British Steel album was on the vanguard.
  • Guitarist K.K. Downing told Billboard magazine: "I particular enjoyed doing the solo work on that song. It's just that other part of me that really likes the feel and emotion. I grew up listening to great players like Paul Kossoff and the ever-bluesy Gary Moore, so this is just me doing that style of guitar playing for a change."

Comments: 4

  • Dan Gillespy from Courtenay BcA very good Judas Priest classic about being angry and a small bit of reggae style guitar playing in parts of this song.
  • Mike Ox-huge from HellProbably my favorite bassline to play at band practise.
  • James Mendola from The Bronx, NyOne of my favorite Judas Priest songs! Just want to reply to the comment below.... the lyrics are not " When we talk with other men....." The line is "When we talk without amend".
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjMy cousin, who worships this band, interpreted the lyrics as, "When we talk with other men, we see red in men," the color red standing for love/passion, though not in a gay way as you may think, but as in feeling brotherly love for your friends and buddies while togther conversing and having a good time.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.