Breaking the Law

Get ready to rock with Judas Priest's legendary 1980 heavy metal anthem, "Breaking the Law"! Driven by one of metal's most iconic and simple riffs, this track from the seminal British Steel album bursts with raw energy and rebellious attitude, defining a generation of metalheads.

Released as a single from their breakthrough 1980 album British Steel, "Breaking the Law" became an instant heavy metal classic. Its punchy, stripped-down sound, coupled with Rob Halford's distinctive vocals and a catchy, defiant chorus, helped propel the New Wave of British Heavy Metal into the mainstream spotlight.

This quintessential 1980 heavy metal track captures a sense of frustration and defiance. Featuring an unforgettable guitar riff recognized worldwide, "Breaking the Law" remains one of Judas Priest's most famous and enduring songs, celebrated for its direct power and influential sound within the genre.

SONG MEANING: The song vividly portrays the desperation and frustration of someone facing unemployment and disillusionment ("So much for the golden future, I can't even start"). Feeling ignored and hopeless within the system, the protagonist ultimately turns to crime ("Breaking the law, breaking the law") out of a sense of anger, rebellion, or perceived necessity.