The Ripper

Album: Sad Wings Of Destiny (1976)
Play Video
  • In for surprise
    You're in for a shock (ah)
    In London town streets
    When there's darkness and fog
    When you least expect me
    And you turn your back, I'll attack

    I smile when I'm sneaking
    Through shadows by the wall
    I laugh when I'm creeping
    But you won't see me at all

    All hear my warning
    Never turn your back
    On the ripper

    You'll soon shake with fear
    Never knowing if I'm near
    I'm sly and I'm shameless
    Nocturnal and nameless
    Except for "The Ripper"
    Or if you like, "Jack The Knife"

    Any back alley street
    Is where we'll probably meet
    Underneath a gas lamp
    Where the air's cold and damp
    I'm a nasty surprise
    I'm a devil in disguise
    I'm a footstep at night
    I'm a scream of the fright

    All hear my warning
    Never turn your back
    On the ripper
    The ripper
    The ripper

    Ah, ha
    (Thank you) thank you very much, indeed Writer/s: Glenn Tipton
    Publisher: Peermusic Publishing, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Dan from UsIdc what anyone says, this was about the Yorkshire ripper... I think Priest disguised it though, I think they even took some criticism for it, due to the serial murders of the time.
  • Dan Gillespy from Courtenay BcA very good and dark hard rocking song about serial killer Jack The Ripper with very good guitar riffs and killer guitar leads and very good singing.
  • Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaTo Alex in Cypress, I'd more say that if you have the ability to recognize & appreciate quality & a style that resonates with you, it will become PART of you! When I was a teen stoner(a 1/4oz of high grade buds a day, every day) it was ONLY about rocking out & doing so loudly, because I seriously did not one f--k give, but now I'm all growed up & mature 'n s--t, but I still appreciate good music(form & style) wherever I find it (some classical, some jazz, mostly hasrd rock+metal from '68 to '82 or so; & I'm slowly giving a relisten to the stuff I loved as a teen stoner & Im discovering that I subconsciously recognized & appreciated true quality! (most of my fave metalhead group members were all classically trained, & just happened to find metal & the musical aptitudes they had worked together to express what was inside -- music done for the sake of it, not for the money. . .
  • Genghis from Yuba City, CaRob Halford's Resurrection album (2000) has the "duet" with Bruce Dickinson. The song is titled "One you Love to Hate" and it really rocks.
  • Alex from Paphos, Cyprusand i agree with Luke from manchester It is impossible to be reformed. Metal stays with you untill you rot
  • Alex from Paphos, CyprusIve got no problem with Blaze bayley he was not as good as Dickenson though
  • Luke from Manchester, England1. You cannot be a reformed metalhead, metal never leave you, if it does then you were never into metal in the first place... 2. Blayze was in Maiden for TWO albums, not 1...
  • Ringgo from Montclair, CaAwesome song, and Owens is not that bad of a singer...come on, the rest of Priest picked him for a good reason to replace a legend, just like how Steve Harris had enough faith to pick Bayley Cook (Blaze Bayley) to replace his band's legendary vocalist. BTW, has anyone here heard of the one song Dickinson and Halford did together? i wonder what that sounded like.
  • Will from York, EnglandIf you're referring to maiden's replacement singer Blaze bailey, he wasn't bad actually.
  • Anthony from Parsippany, NjPlease with Ripper Owens...the guy SUCKED. The album he was on was UN-LISTENABLE...just like Maidens replacement for that one album, YIKES!
  • Todd from Denver, CoA sidenote: Steven Tyler supposedly said that "This Is Spinal Tap" hit a little too close to home. Imagine any number of party bands from the early seventies through the release of the movie who can relate. Then the "hair bands" of the eighties continued the tradition. As a reformed metalhead (I still have to admit to occasionally listening to my old CDs-my turntable's been broken for years) I still love the movie.
  • Matt from Charleston, ScWhen Rob Halford left JP, the remaining band members looked for a replacement in the 90's. They found a young halford sound-alike in an American Priest cover band, and promptly renamed him "Ripper" Owens, inspired by his dead-on take on this song. If the story sounds vaguely familiar, its the plot behind the Marky Mark movie "Rock Star" which Priest wouldnt touch with a 99-foot pole.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.