"Dreamer Deceiver" is a
power ballad
A sentimental ballad is an emotional style of music that often deals with romance (love), romantic and intimate relationships, and to a lesser extent, loneliness, death, war, drug abuse, politics and religion, usually in a poignant but solemn m ...
by English
heavy metal band
Judas Priest, featured on their 1976 studio album ''
Sad Wings of Destiny
''Sad Wings of Destiny'' is the second studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on 23 March 1976 by Gull Records. It is considered the album on which Judas Priest consolidated their sound and image, and songs from it su ...
''. Unlike other songs on the album, the song is a "spacey ballad."
[Huey, Steve. Sad Wings of Destiny reviewAllMusic. Retrieved 22 January 2014] The song is known for showing off Rob Halford's full vocal range, starting from soft, quiet singing, to high pitched shrieking. It was performed by the band on the British television programme ''
The Old Grey Whistle Test
''The Old Grey Whistle Test'' (sometimes abbreviated to ''Whistle Test'' or ''OGWT'') is a British television music show. The show was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers, commissioned by David Attenborough and aired on BBC2 from 1971 to 1988. ...
'' in 1975.
The 2-part medley was released as a single in Japan in 1976 calling the first song "I – Dreamer Deceiver" and the second song "II – Deceiver".
The lyrics describe a mystical figure who takes the narrator up through the sky. He ends up "lost above", but is "in peace of mind". He then instructs the listener to try to find a way. The guitar solo is played by Glenn Tipton. This song segues into the next song, "Deceiver", via a long, high pitched scream by Halford.
Personnel
*
Rob Halford – lead vocals
*
K. K. Downing
Kenneth Keith Downing Jr. (born 27 October 1951) is an English guitarist and a former member of the heavy metal band Judas Priest.
Early life and career
Downing was born in West Bromwich, West Midlands. In the late 1960s, he developed a p ...
– guitar
*
Glenn Tipton
Glenn Raymond Tipton (born 25 October 1947) is an English guitarist. Often noted for his complex playing style and classically influenced solos, he is best known as one of the lead guitarists for heavy metal band Judas Priest.
Early life and ...
– guitar, piano
*
Ian Hill
Ian Frank Hill (born 20 January 1951) is an English musician, best known as the bassist and the sole continuous member for the heavy metal band Judas Priest.
Biography
Hill learned how to play the double bass from his father, a bass player ...
– bass
*
Alan Moore
Alan Moore (born 18 November 1953) is an English author known primarily for his work in comic books including '' Watchmen'', ''V for Vendetta'', '' The Ballad of Halo Jones'', ''Swamp Thing'', ''Batman:'' ''The Killing Joke'', and '' From He ...
– drums
References
{{authority control
Judas Priest songs
1976 songs
Songs written by Rob Halford
Songs written by K. K. Downing
Songs written by Glenn Tipton
1970s ballads
British progressive rock songs
Space rock songs
Rock ballads