Breaking The Law (2:32)
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This song, with its extremely simple main riff and chorus, was released as a single from the British Steel album, and was one of Judas Priest’s big breakthrough songs. It is now considered one of the most famous Hard Rock/Heavy Metal songs ever.
The lyrics tell of someone who gets tired of everything that comes with an ordinary life - that life has become boring. This leads the person to take a chance and start breaking the law.
The song featured some sound effects, including the sound of breaking glass and a police siren. The band were recording British Steel at Tittenhurst Park, which was the home of the Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr. Sampling did not exist at the time, so for the breaking glass, the band used the milk bottles the milkman brought them in the morning, and the police siren was actually guitarist K.K. Downing using the whammy on his Stratocaster.
The song has been played live almost constantly ever since its release, and has slowly evolved over the years, for example with an added guitar solo by K.K. Downing (the original had no solo). It still gets the crowd going everywhere they go, but Priest have expressed a desire to try touring without some of their obvious classics, including this song.
The video has become a cult classic, starring the band as bank robbers. Singer Rob Halford is riding in a Cadillac towards the bank, singing the first verse. Then he meets up with the rest of the band at the bank, and they break into the bank and use their instruments to bring the people inside down to their knees.
The lyrics tell of someone who gets tired of everything that comes with an ordinary life - that life has become boring. This leads the person to take a chance and start breaking the law.
The song featured some sound effects, including the sound of breaking glass and a police siren. The band were recording British Steel at Tittenhurst Park, which was the home of the Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr. Sampling did not exist at the time, so for the breaking glass, the band used the milk bottles the milkman brought them in the morning, and the police siren was actually guitarist K.K. Downing using the whammy on his Stratocaster.
The song has been played live almost constantly ever since its release, and has slowly evolved over the years, for example with an added guitar solo by K.K. Downing (the original had no solo). It still gets the crowd going everywhere they go, but Priest have expressed a desire to try touring without some of their obvious classics, including this song.
The video has become a cult classic, starring the band as bank robbers. Singer Rob Halford is riding in a Cadillac towards the bank, singing the first verse. Then he meets up with the rest of the band at the bank, and they break into the bank and use their instruments to bring the people inside down to their knees.
Video
Added by TWBalls
Judas Priest Performing Breaking the Law. Recorded Dec. 12 1982 at Mid South Coliseum, Memphis, TN. on the Screaming for Vengeance Tour.
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Albums featuring this track
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British Steel
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Priest... Live! (disc 1)
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Simply the Best
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Shouts
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MaxCarnH wrote:
Personal Wacken Open Air Anthem
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nalo503 wrote:
breaking the what??!!
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Peavey11 wrote:
Classic
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Marco666_87 wrote:
BREAKING THA WHAT?
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krisi77 wrote:
SUPER! I love this song! :-)))
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timmahcheese wrote:
These guys are purely amazing in concert... Halford rode his bike on stage....schweet
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SonnyBurnett88 wrote:
I said that before but my comment is hidden. This is one of the best metal song Ive ever heard:D
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ironmatts wrote:
racking the lawn racking the lawn
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Jesakah_Punkah wrote:
Hail the priest!!!! [2] Incredible song. [2] Metal Anthem!!! [2]
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mirrorball95 wrote:
The funny thing about this song is that when you listen to it, it isnt that heavy compared to some of the other stuff from the British Steel album. Good song though.
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swidman64 wrote:
Classic!!!!!!!
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skyeye092 wrote:
Now thats what I'm talkin about!! : )
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Sentinel_18 wrote:
one of the best metal song.
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Showoff63 wrote:
great song!
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Reverie-I--I- wrote:
ClassiiIIIiiiiic,, that dude air guitaring is slapable
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MadRangerMan wrote:
Hail the priest!!!!
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puddindeth wrote:
WASHING THE DOG. WASHING THE DOG.
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Overdrive666 wrote:
Incredible song.
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Kokakukalu wrote:
just awesome
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GrafLem wrote:
kicks arses
Judas Priest
Breaking The Law
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