You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track "You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’" by Judas Priest from their 1982 album Screaming for Vengeance, and the Zoo Freaks are surely headbanging along! This song, a last-minute addition to the album, was crafted during mixing sessions at Beejay Recording Studios in Florida. Guitarist K.K. Downing recalled in an interview that the band felt it had the makings of a "good driving song" with radio potential, despite initially burying it on side two of the vinyl. Frontman Rob Halford was surprised by its success, noting it was "buried" and not expected to become their biggest hit, reaching #67 on the Billboard Hot 100—their only U.S. charting single. The song’s raw energy and defiant lyrics, which Halford described as embodying the band’s relentless attitude, made it a staple of their live shows, performed over 673 times by 2012. Its cultural impact is massive, appearing in video games like Guitar Hero and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, as well as the 2011 film Bad Teacher. In 2006, VH1 ranked it fifth on their list of the 40 Greatest Metal Songs, cementing its status as a heavy metal anthem.

Another fun tidbit comes from the song’s title, an eggcorn of the phrase "You’ve got another think coming," in use since at least 1919. This linguistic twist adds a playful edge to its rebellious vibe. The track’s creation was a collaborative spark, with Downing, Halford, and Glenn Tipton piecing it together quickly, sensing its potential. Halford later reflected in a 2022 interview with AZ Central that the song captured a "magic metal moment" when America was hungry for heavy metal, fueled by the band’s intense live performances and MTV’s love for its dramatic video. Posts on X from fans, like one from @punt_rd in 2024, praise how Judas Priest transformed a common phrase into a "killer song," showcasing their knack for building "metal mansions" from simple ideas. The song’s enduring appeal is evident in its inclusion on a 1983 US Festival live DVD, where the band performed to a crowd of over 300,000, arriving by helicopter to a "scorching metal furnace" of a stage.

Judas Priest formed in Birmingham, Warwickshire, in 1969, emerging from the industrial heart of England with a gritty determination to redefine heavy metal. The band’s early days were marked by a revolving lineup, with multiple drummers and the eventual addition of Rob Halford as vocalist in 1973, recommended by his sister, who was dating bassist Ian Hill. Hill, a founding member, remains the only constant member through decades of changes. Their early sound, blending bluesy riffs with a darker edge, took shape through relentless gigging in local clubs and small venues. By the mid-1970s, albums like Sad Wings of Destiny (1976) showcased their pioneering twin-guitar attack, courtesy of Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, laying the groundwork for the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Despite critical acclaim, commercial success was elusive until 1980’s British Steel, which brought them mainstream attention with hits like "Breaking the Law." Screaming for Vengeance in 1982 was their North American breakthrough, solidifying their status as metal icons with over 50 million albums sold worldwide.

Stay connected with Judas Priest through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates, merch drops, and throwbacks to their storied career. Fans can dive deeper into the Priest fandom through dedicated spaces like the Judas Priest Fan Club on Facebook, a vibrant community of metalheads sharing memories, rare photos, and concert stories. Another fan hub, The Xperience, offers a treasure trove of band history, discography details, and fan-driven content. These platforms keep the spirit of the Zoo Freaks alive, celebrating the band’s legacy and the raw power of tracks like "You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’" that continue to inspire generations of headbangers.