The dream of every band is to release a song that is recognized even by… God himself.
Rather exaggerated, I would say, but anyway there is always a hidden desire for a song recognizable by everyone.
And because simplicity is the supreme virtue, always according to Buddhism …
Only big bands have created songs simply in the structure, that have become hymns of the Rock scene and their “trademark”.
This includes Judas Priest who belongs to the pantheon of the Rock scene and with their anthem “Breaking the Law”.
Simple musical structure and a title that can easily upset even a teenager today.
It is a creation of Rob Halford, K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton.
Included in their sixth album “British Steel” released in April 1980.
The entire album was recorded in Tittenhurst Park, Ringo Starr’s old home.
Before the recording of this album, they intended to simplify their music, with less processed sound, and with this song they succeeded.
Melodic…
A minor riff along with a refrain that remains, are the key ingredients of the song’s success.
In “You do not know what it’s like!”, Halford’s scream, is the change in the musical theme, which foretells the special effects, which are also interesting.
At that time there were no ready-made digital samples, so all the effects were analog and were often created in an original way.
In this particular song, the breaking of glasses is from the bottles of milk, which he brought to them every morning.
The patrol sirens that are heard are from the Stratocaster of Downing, with the help of the tremolo.
Lyrical…
The lyrical part does not have any deep poetic themes.
In essence, he is talking about someone who is tired of his ordinary life and decides to go it alone, just to amuse his boredom.
Halford, the lyricist, later admitted that he wanted to steal the glory of punk bands.
Britain was in turmoil at the time.
Continuous strikes by the miners and the car industry union and riots in the streets were not uncommon.
This is exactly what the singer wanted to capture, to put a little punk anarchism in his lyrics.
The video clip…
The video clip is directed by Julien Temple and its action unfolds in A406, North London.
They drive to Oxford Street, where they enter the Barclays Bank branch and rob her with their guitars.
When I was a kid, I was fascinated by this scene.
From the moment of its release, it is played in all the live appearances of the band.
Over the years the band evolved, as well as added a solo, which does not exist in the studio version.
Numerous bands had performed or adapted the song.