Grinder

Regardless, this is my opinion, if a lot of Judas Priest songs reflect Halford's Homosexuality...that's his deal and have very little to do with what the song means to me. Grinder to me means total destruction...as in don't get in my way! I've never really cared that Halford is gay...he always will be the greatest metal vocalist born...bottomline! -Kevin82abn

As much as I hate when people assume that every song by JP is wrought with subliminal messages about his homosexuality, this song just kinda screams it...

I think this song is about being/feeling different from those around us. Which obviously Rob felt due to his homosexuality 1.)overall 2.)being in the machismo world of metal. That's how I've always rocked the song, cause I've always felt out of place marching to the beat of my own drummer.

This song is not about homosexuality. It's a declaration of the birthright of freedom. The Grinder is not Rob's libido. The Grinder is society, the meat grinder that takes millions of children full of creative potential and turns them into cattle. It's also referred to in the song as "the mantrap" and "the treadmill." Granted, this birthright includes the freedom to be homosexual, but if you assume that's what it's about, you've missed the point (and probably bit the mantrap and got caught on the treadmill).

The word 'grinder' conjures up images of a metal/meat eating monster, a stripper giving an intense lap dance, or even the scene of school children falling into the mechanism in Pink Floyd's Film The Wall. Judas Priest's song Grinder seems to be about chasing the American dream & refusing to get caught up in the race race..."Witness from the treadmill"...& yeah, I know Judas Priest are British. "As the mighty eagle" "Day of independence" "Got no use for routine" But look closely & you can see the flames: "Never straight" "Tend to bend the arrow out of line" "...to wander off the beaten track" Grinder isn't as shockingly homoerotic as some other Priest songs: Eat Me Alive, Jawbreaker, Burnin' Up, United, Deal With the Devil. Halford's sexuality shouldn't matter, we should not be having this discussion at all. I like Judas Priest, & I'd go so far to say that The Hellion/Electric Eye is one of the Top 20 heavy metal songs ever written.

Kreator covered this song.

What this song really means on Rob's mind?

The song could have been influenced by the Texas Chain Saw Massacre.. For instance: "Got no use for routine I shiver at the thought Open skies are my scene That's why I won't get caught" and "Grinder Looking for meat Grinder Wants you to eat" What you all think?

This is one of my favourite rare songs by JP. I don't care if the song has a subliminal message Rob Halford is gay. He's a metal god. \m/ The song can just be talking about a meat grinder in general.

I too tend to think that a lot of Priest songs are about sex. Wait!! Isnt a huge portion of rock and roll about sex?? Priest is no exception. However, in this case you had a man writing lyrics who was active in the BDSM gay scene. As someone who has dabbled there a bit myself.... this song is absolutely about gay sex. It is about the hunt, the way gay/bi men go about satisfying their needs. "Grinder, looking for meat." That is not subtle, but rather direct. Men seeking sex with other men, are direct. Most of the time is about raw, pleasure. The allure is that there is no need to woo, or date, or play mind games. He is here looking for the same thing you are..... we are all meat in the grinder.