Run of the Mill (Judas Priest song)

"Run of the Mill" is a ballad by English heavy metal band Judas Priest from their debut album Rocka Rolla. The song was the first written by guitarist K. K. Downing, soon after vocalist Rob Halford joined the band.^[2][3] Downing wrote it, in part, to display Halford's unique vocal range.^{[citation needed]}

The track was first recorded as a demo circa 1973, along with another early Priest song, "Whiskey Woman". This track would later surface in altered form on Priest's

The song's lyrics are about a poor old man, whose "prospects" for a good life "vanished", now embattled and confused by today's society. Following the first two verses is a long guitar solo by Downing, with Glenn Tipton playing keyboards. At the end of the song, the music gets heavier as Halford shows off his vocal range by wailing the end lines.^[4]

"Run of the Mill" was Priest's longest recorded track until "Cathedral Spires", a track from their 1997 album, Jugulator. It was also the longest track co-written by Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, and K. K. Downing prior to "Lochness", a track from their 2005 album, Angel of Retribution.

Although Priest has not performed the song since the mid-1970s, many fans and critics consider it to be one of the highlights of the album and a classic early Priest track.^{[citation needed]}

Personnel

• Rob Halford – vocals
• K. K. Downing – guitar^[5]
• Glenn Tipton – guitar, synthesizer
• Ian Hill – bass guitar
• John Hinch – drums

References