As pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, Iron Maiden achieved initial success during the early 1980s. After several lineup changes, the band went on to release a series of UK and US Platinum and Gold albums, including 1980's eponymous debut album, 1981's Killers, 1982's The Number of the Beast, 1983's Piece of Mind, 1984's Powerslave, 1985's live release Live After Death, 1986's Somewhere in Time, 1988's Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, 1990's No Prayer for the Dying and 1992's Fear of the Dark. In 1982, the band released The Number of the Beast – its first album with Bruce Dickinson, who replaced Paul Di'Anno as lead singer – which was a turning point in their career, helping establish them as one of heavy metal's most important artists. The Number of the Beast is among the most popular heavy metal albums of all time, having sold almost 20 million copies worldwide.
Since the return of lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith in 1999, the band has undergone a resurgence in popularity, with a series of new albums and highly successful tours. Released in 2006, A Matter of Life and Death, their 14th studio album, reached top sales in dozens of countries, initiating the series of Iron Maiden's highest-ranked albums. Their 2010 album, The Final Frontier, peaked at No. 1 in 28 countries and received widespread critical acclaim. Their 16th studio album, The Book of Souls, was released on 4 September 2015 to similar success, debuting at No. 1 in the album charts of 24 countries with physical sales and summary in 43 territories with physical and digital sales. Most recently, their 17th studio album, Senjutsu, was released on 3 September 2021 and eventually reached No. 1 in 27 countries.
Iron Maiden have sold over 130 million copies of their albums worldwide, despite minimal radio and mainstream media support. The band's catalogue has sold over 200 million copies worldwide, including albums, singles, compilations and videos. By 2022, their releases have been certified Silver, Gold and Platinum around 600 times worldwide. Iron Maiden have become one of the most influential and revered rock bands of all time, and is credited with influencing countless bands and genres. Critics have stated that the band elevated heavy metal to an art form, proving that academic and musical inspirations can coexist. The band is also hailed as one of the greatest live acts of all time.
The band and its members have received multiple industry awards, including the Grammy Awards and its equivalents in other countries. Other accolades the band has received include Brit Awards, Silver Clef Award, Nordoff-Robbins Award, Ivor Novello Awards, Juno Awards, Guinness Book of World Records, Public Choice International, Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards, ECHO Awards, Top.HR Music Awards, Žebřík Music Awards, honorary doctorates, State Prizes, sales recognition, marketing achievements recognition awards, charity and sport awards among many others. Iron Maiden were inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk, BPI Hall of Fame and Kerrang! Hall of Fame. The band is also a part of permanent exhibitions of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, British Music Experience, Rock in Rio Wall of Fame and Wacken Open Air Hall of Fame. Iron Maiden were honoured by Royal Mail UK with dedicated postal stamps and cards. The band as 'bona fide' rock legends belongs to an elitarian circle of British iconic bands honoured with an unique range of stamps, including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen and Iron Maiden as the fifth one.
Iron Maiden's lyrics cover such topics as history, literature, war, mythology, society and religion. Many of their songs are based on history, classic literature and film. As of October 2019, the band have played some 2500 live shows, performing for tens of millions of fans. For over 40 years, the musicians have been supported by their famous mascot, "Eddie", who has appeared on almost all of their album and single covers, videos and merchandise. Originally designed by Derek Riggs, Eddie became the main attraction of Iron Maiden live shows, which feature theatrical elements like coloured backdrops, inflatables, pyrotechnics, elaborate lighting rigs, props and stage sets.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Maiden
Studio albums
Iron Maiden (1980)
Killers (1981)
The Number of the Beast (1982)
Piece of Mind (1983)
Powerslave (1984)
Somewhere in Time (1986)
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (1988)
No Prayer for the Dying (1990)
Fear of the Dark (1992)
The X Factor (1995)
Virtual XI (1998)
Brave New World (2000)
Dance of Death (2003)
A Matter of Life and Death (2006)
The Final Frontier (2010)
The Book of Souls (2015)
Senjutsu (2021)
Be Quick Or Be Dead
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Making your money from slime and from filth
Parading your bellies in ivory towers
Investing our lives in your schemes and your powers
You got to watch them
Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven
The thief's in your head
You've got to watch them
Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven
The thief in your head
Be quick or be dead
Be quick, quick, quick, quick
Or be dead, dead, dead, dead
See what's ruling all our lives
See who's pulling strings
See what's ruling all our lives
See who pulls the strings
I bet you won't fall on your face
Your belly will hold you in place
The serpent is crawling inside of your ear
He says you must vote for what you want to hear
Don't matter what's wrong as long as you're alright
Pull yourself stupid, rob yourself blind
You've got to watch them
Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven
The thief in your head
You've got to watch them
Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven
The thief's in your head
Be quick or be dead
Be quick, quick, quick, quick
Or be dead, dead, dead, dead
You've got to watch them
Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven
The thief's in your head
You've got to watch them
Be quick or be dead
Snake eyes in heaven
The thief's in your head
Be quick
Or be dead
Be quick
Iron Maiden's song "Be Quick or Be Dead" talks about corruption and greed in politics and the impact it has on the common people. The lyrics refer to those in power who make their money through dishonest means and live in luxury, while the rest of society suffers from their actions. The phrase "covered in sinners and dripping with guilt" suggests the corrupt nature of these people, and "parading bellies in ivory towers" is a metaphor for their opulence and arrogance.
The song warns listeners to be aware of those in power and their manipulative ways. "The thief in your head" is a metaphor for the corrupt ideas or opinions people have been influenced to hold, and "snake eyes in heaven" could be interpreted as a reference to hypocrisy in religion, where people claim to be righteous while engaging in corrupt behavior.
The song urges people to be quick and vigilant in order to avoid being taken advantage of by those in power. The repetition of "Be quick or be dead" in each chorus emphasizes the importance of being alert and taking action to avoid being a victim of corruption and greed.
Overall, "Be Quick or Be Dead" is a commentary on how greed and corruption in politics can negatively impact society and suggests that individuals must remain aware and active to prevent themselves from being exploited.
Line by Line Meaning
Covered in sinners and dripping with guilt
Describing people in power who have committed moral wrongdoings and are feeling remorseful.
Making your money from slime and from filth
Referring to the corrupt acts committed by people in power and how they use it to gain wealth.
Parading your bellies in ivory towers
Describing the lifestyle of the people in power as luxurious and indulgent.
Investing our lives in your schemes and your powers
Highlighting how people in power control the lives of others and the consequences of following their instructions.
You got to watch them
Encouragement to be vigilant towards the corrupt people in power.
Be quick or be dead
The urgency to act now or suffer the consequences.
Snake eyes in heaven
An expression of the unfairness of certain situations, where even in heaven, one's fate can be decided wrongly.
The thief's in your head
The corrupt ideas of people in power have influenced one's thinking and actions.
See what's ruling all our lives,/See who's pulling strings
Questioning the influence of the people in power on our everyday lives.
I bet you won't fall on your face/Your belly will hold you in place
The belief that those in power will do anything to retain their position, even if it means sacrificing others.
The serpent is crawling inside of your ear
A reference to the cunning and deceitful character of the corrupt people in power.
He says you must vote for what you want to hear
The manipulative behavior of corrupt politicians who tell people what they want to hear to get their vote.
Don't matter what's wrong as long as you're alright
Indicating the selfish and immoral actions of people in power who do what benefits them instead of what is right.
Pull yourself stupid, rob yourself blind
The harm done to oneself by following the corrupt people in power blindly.
Be quick or be dead/Be quick, quick, quick, quick/Or be dead, dead, dead, dead
Reiterating the urgency to act now or face the consequence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it