Faster than a bullet, terrifying scream
Enraged and full of anger, he's half man and half machine
Rides the Metal Monster, breathing smoke and fire
Closing in with vengeance soaring high

He is the Painkiller
This is the Painkiller

Planets devastated, mankind's on its knees
A saviour comes from out the skies in answer to their pleas
Through boiling clouds of thunder, blasting bolts of steel
Evil's going under deadly wheels

He is the Painkiller
This is the Painkiller

Faster than a laser bullet
Louder than an atom bomb
Chromium plated boiling metal
Brighter than a thousand suns

Flying high on rapture, stronger free and brave
Nevermore encaptured, they've been brought back from the grave
With mankind resurrected, forever to survive
Returns from Armageddon to the skies

He is the Painkiller
This is the Painkiller
Wings of steel Painkiller
Deadly wheels
Painkiller

He is the Painkiller
This is the Painkiller
He is the Painkiller
This is the Painkiller

Pain! Pain! Killer! Killer!
Pain! Pain! Killer! Killer!

Can't stop the painkiller!
Pain!


Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by sokorny, jason13539, TKProdoctions

Painkiller song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

50 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +5
    General Comment

    This is the best song in the history of metal, this is the essence of metal.

    Lucasmvon December 06, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    I believe this song is about "The Second Coming"...basically, imagining that Jesus/Mohammed/whoever returns to Earth in a totally unexpected guise, to kick arse and smite evil :o)

    JabbaHutt444on May 12, 2004   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Song meaning? Halford is the painkiller, coming back to save metal and the band. They've never been a band for false shyness.

    SwedxSimonon July 04, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Excellent song to rock out to, and some excellent soling as well! Possibly about the apocalypse, judgement day or Jesus' return, but with a very dark twist. The song structure is very similar to (If not copied from) the opening track of Stained Class, "Exciter".

    Dreamer Deceiveron December 29, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Great song, i reckon that, like a lot of priest songs (like exciter), its a metaphor for heavy metal, the earth is fucked up... here comes metal to save us all

    dogboggleron April 29, 2005   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This Metal Avenging Angel is pictured on both the album "Painkiller" and there best of "Metal Works". Halford sung a lot of lyrics referring to a Metal Creature or sometimes referred to as a Metal God. This song has some of the most insane vocals and duel guitar work ever performed by Judas Priest. -Kevin82abn

    kevin82abnon October 15, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Best metal song ever. Sheer perfection.

    Maiden ain't got nothing on this.

    gothic_hobbiton January 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I don't know what the hell it means, but it's one of the best songs to rock out to ;)

    klansafton June 13, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    is it true that you come up with great songs when you're on dope?

    a_fake_plastic_treeon April 14, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Ah classic- The guitars are great. Judas priest is the kind of band that only the real faggots hate. You can like not listen it or prefer something else but if you hate it than you have a taste of music as good as the mop that school janitor uses to clean toilets. Classic metal bands should be relized to be the reason of the new ones. The songs is propably about the second coming..only with a motorcycle..

    UnraisedMetalon June 16, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.