Judas Priest – Grinder

"Grinder" as written by and Glenn Raymond/downing Tipton....
Never straight and narrow
I won't keep in time
Tend to burn the arrow
Out of the line

Been inclined to wander
Off the beaten track
That's where there's thunder
And the wind shouts back

Grinder
Looking for meat
Grinder
Wants you to eat

Got no use for routine
I shiver at the thought
Open skies are my scene
That's why I won't get caught

Refuse to bite the mantrap
Be led to set the snare
I love to have my sight
Capped everywhere

Grinder
Looking for meat
Grinder
Wants you to eat

I've held my license
It came with birth,
For self reliance on this earth
You take the bullet
On which my name
Was etched upon in your game

Day of independence
Stamped us like a brand
Round the necks of millions
To the land

As the mighty eagle
I need room to breathe
Witness from the treadmill
I take my leave

Grinder
Looking for meat
Grinder
Wants you to eat

Grinder
Looking for meat
Grinder
Wants you to eat

Grinder


Lyrics submitted by Idan

"Grinder" as written by Kenneth Downing Glenn Raymond Tipton

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Grinder song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +2
    General CommentAs 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...
    samwaltonon January 21, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General CommentRegardless, 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
    kevin82abnon October 15, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General CommentI 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.

    OFuegoon August 16, 2010   Link
  • +2
    My InterpretationThis 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).
    hashfiendon February 27, 2013   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General CommentKreator covered this song.
    samwaltonon March 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWhat this song really means on Rob's mind?
    wyvron December 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationThe 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?
    Srifton May 15, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My OpinionThe 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.
    Preying4waron January 10, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis 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.
    Engel97on January 14, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI 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.
    TopekaBiGuyon September 29, 2019   Link

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