Judas Priest - Living After Midnight

Judas Priest - Living After Midnight - Meaning of the song

This was the lead single from the British Steel album, the band's sixth. Judas Priest wasn't a singles band, but "Living After Midnight" still climbed to #12 in the UK, earning them their third appearance on Top Of The Pops. The episode aired March 27, 1980, but was recorded the day before, making them two hours late for a show in Birmingham. Fans were justifiably upset because the band gave priority to a mimed mass-consumption showcase over their fervent supporters. Priest agreed to never perform the show again on a day they had a gig.

This song is about the nocturnal life of a rock star; he rides into town at 1 a.m. and rocks out till dawn. The title though, came out of an incident when Judas Priest lead singer Rob Halford was trying to get some sleep.

The band was recording their British Steel album at Tittenhurst Park, an estate once owned by John Lennon. One night around 4 a.m., guitarist Glenn Tipton set up his amp and started working out riffs in the big room where they did most of their work - the one where Lennon wrote "Imagine." Halford's bedroom was upstairs, and it woke him up. He came down, asked Tipton to turn down his amp, and told him, "You're living after midnight down here, you are!" Tipton replied, "That is a great title for a song." Halford wrote the lyric that day.

Living After Midnight - Lyrics

Living after midnight Rockin' to the dawn Lovin' 'til the morning Then I'm gone, I'm gone

I took the city 'bout one AM Loaded, loaded I'm all geared up to score again Loaded, loaded I come alive in the neon light That's when I make my moves right

Living after midnight Rockin' to the dawn Lovin' 'til the morning Then I'm gone, I'm gone

Got gleaming chrome, reflecting steel Loaded, loaded Ready to take on every deal Loaded, loaded My pulse is racing, I'm hot to take This motor's revved up, fit to break

Living after midnight Rockin' to the dawn Lovin' 'til the morning Then I'm gone, I'm gone

I'm aiming for ya I'm gonna floor ya My body's coming All night long

The air's electric, sparkin' power Loaded, loaded I'm getting hotter by the hour Loaded, loaded

I set my sights and then home in The joint starts flying when I begin

Living after midnight Rockin' to the dawn Lovin' 'til the morning Then I'm gone, I'm gone

Living after midnight Rockin' to the dawn Lovin' 'til the morning Then I'm gone, I'm gone

Judas Priest - Living After Midnight - Live