For My Sunday Song #298, we are talking “Ripper” by Judas Priest. The song is off their stellar 1976 album ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’. The song was released as the first single off the album and only released in the UK. I don’t have any chart information for it, sorry. The song was written solely by Glenn Tipton and what a great song.

“Ripper” is from the point of view of the legendary UK serial killer, Jack the Ripper…or if you like, Jack the Knife. The song speaks from Jack’s mind telling the world how deranged he was on basically telling you how and when he will kill you. It shows how much Jack enjoys what he is doing and has done and he smile while he does the deed. It is scary and twisted and a brilliant take on perspective.

It is an intense, riff-roaring killer track. The opening guitars of Tipton and Downing stab at you from every angle with such ferocity. And that opening falsetto by Halford is that fatal cut that will slice through you like butter. Is it possible for someone to go so high without any help. That scream has to be mixed with a guitar to go where no man can possibly go, but he does. I like the galloping beat of the drums at certain points and Halford’s pacing on the delivery of the lyrics. It is a menacing, heart racing song and I can see why this was the single because it does make you sit up and take notice.

Give the song a listen and let me know what you think. Is it as menacing and eerie as I believe it is? Well, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful and Happy Sunday!!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=gCdWJHOROb4%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26fs%3D1%26hl%3Den%26autohide%3D2%26wmode%3Dtransparent

“The Ripper”

You’re in for surprise
You’re in for a shock
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 hear 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”

[SOLO (Glenn)]

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

Written by Glenn Tipton