"Turbo Lover" is a single by heavy metal band Judas Priest from their album Turbo. Unlike the album, most of the reception for this song has been positive, and it is considered a Judas Priest classic.[4]

"Turbo Lover"
Single by Judas Priest
from the album Turbo
B-side"Hot for Love"
ReleasedApril 1986 (UK) [1]
Recorded1985
Genre
Length5:33
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Tom Allom
Judas Priest singles chronology
"Some Heads Are Gonna Roll"
(1984)
"Turbo Lover"
(1986)
"Locked In"
(1986)
Music video
"Turbo Lover" on YouTube

Lyrics edit

The song's lyrics have been described as being about "auto"-eroticism.[5]

Singer Rob Halford said, "I just liked the analogy of the motorcycle as a euphemism for love. And 'I'm your turbo lover, Tell me there's no other.' It's got kind of a sexual undertone to it – which is fine. It's been done many times in rock n' roll: to use a machine, car, or motorcycle. It's just a fun bit of escapism more than anything else."[6]

Reception edit

AllMusic writer, Steve Huey, in his review of the song's parent album Turbo, called it "easily the best song on the record".[7] Decibel Magazine described the song as "one of the classiest songs in [Judas Priest's discography]".[8] Loudwire ranked the song at number 10 on their list of the "10 Best Judas Priest Songs".[9]

Charts edit

Chart (1986) Peak
position
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[10] 44

References edit

  1. ^ "Judas Priest singles".
  2. ^ Begrand, Adrien (5 April 2017). "36 Essential '80s Pop Metal Tracks". Stereogum. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  3. ^ Hartmann, Graham (20 May 2013). "Judas Priest, 'Turbo Lover' (Live) – Exclusive Video Premiere From 'Epitaph' DVD + Blu-ray". Loudwire. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  4. ^ Bowar, Chad (19 January 2017). "Judas Priest Unveil Live Version of 'Locked In'". Loudwire. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  5. ^ Begrand, Adrien (20 June 2002). "Judas Priest: Turbo / Priest . . . Live!". PopMatters. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  6. ^ Prato, Greg (5 November 2020). "Rob Halford of Judas Priest: Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  7. ^ Huey, Steve. "Turbo - Judas Priest | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  8. ^ Begrand, Adrien (29 December 2010). "Justify Your Shitty Taste: Judas Priest's "Turbo"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  9. ^ Hartmann, Graham (24 August 2012). "10 Best Judas Priest Songs". Loudwire. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Judas Priest Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 September 2022.