You Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise

Album: British Steel (1980)
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Songfacts®:

  • Frontman and lyricist Rob Halford explained to Billboard magazine: "Even in my 30s I was a teenager under the skin in terms of rebellion. I'd had enough of being programmed and told what to do. It's a spinoff from the attitude of Breaking the Law."

    Guitarist K.K. Downing added: "It was basically us sticking it in the eye of everybody that thought, 'You're stupid if you're young and have long hair.' I think everybody was glad to sing that along with us - everybody that was under the age of 30, at least."
  • Halford and K.K. Downing wrote this song with Priest's other guitarist, Glenn Tipton. They recorded it at Ringo Starr's estate, Tittenhurst Park, which was previously owned by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The sessions were smooth and the group was peaking creatively. Their producer, Tom Allom, had them record live together instead of putting down each track separately - this was the first time they worked this way.

Comments: 1

  • Dan Gillespy from Courtenay BcThis song has a true message.
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