While many of the songs from Somewhere in Time have all but disappeared (and some like, "The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner" being only played once) from the band's live shows over the years, "Wasted Years" and "Heaven Can Wait" have been consistent mainstays of the band's live setlist. Performances of "Heaven Can Wait" have featured a group of local fans and celebrities invited onstage to sing along during the song's middle section.
The album also marked a change for Iron Maiden, as it was their first album to introduce synth, although this style was expanded upon in their next album, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. This is also their first studio album not to be released a year after their previous one. The band has never released a studio album a year after the previous again as of 2011. The band began to put more time into writing and recording their albums as well as touring for an extensive time after the release of Powerslave.
The 2008 tribute CD Maiden Heaven: A Tribute to Iron Maiden released by Kerrang! magazine features covers of two songs from this album: "Wasted Years" by Devildriver and "Caught Somewhere in Time" by Madina Lake.
Somewhere On Tour was the tour supporting the album.
Caught Somewhere In Time
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An open mind and time to choose
Would you care to take a look
Or can you read me like a book?
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Can I tempt you, come with me
Be Devil may care, fulfill your dream
If I said I'd take you there
Would you go, would you be scared?
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Don't be afraid, you're safe with me
Safe as any soul can be, honestly
Just let yourself go
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time, oh-oh
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time, oh-oh
Like a wolf in sheep's clothing
You try to hide your deepest sins
Of all the things that you've done wrong
And I know where you belong
Time is always on my side
Time is always on my side
Make you an offer you can't refuse
You've only got your soul to lose
Eternally
Let yourself go!
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time, oh
Caught somewhere in time
Caught somewhere in time
Caught now in two minds, oh
Iron Maiden's song "Caught Somewhere In Time" is a hauntingly beautiful melody that explores the ideas of temptation and timelessness. The song opens with the vocalist asking the listener if they have the time to lose, an open mind, and a willingness to choose. The lyrics then pose the question of whether one can read the singer as a book, or whether they are willing to take a closer look. The song then transitions into the idea that time is always on the singer's side, culminating in the chorus of the song.
The second verse of the song is more ominous in tone, playing off the idea of a wolf in sheep's clothing. The lyrics suggest that the listener is trying to hide their deepest sins, and the song builds towards a climax where the singer offers the listener something that they "can't refuse" – something that will cost them their soul. The final chorus builds upon the complex ideas presented throughout the song, as Iron Maiden explores the notion of being "caught somewhere in time," and being "caught in two minds."
Overall, "Caught Somewhere In Time" by Iron Maiden is a fascinating exploration of temptation, time, and the human psyche. Its iconic melody and thought-provoking lyrical content have made it one of the most beloved songs in the heavy metal genre.
Line by Line Meaning
If you had the time to lose
If you had some spare time to invest with,
An open mind and time to choose
A mental receptivity and a choice to make,
Would you care to take a look
Would you like to take a look?
Or can you read me like a book?
Or are you capable enough to understand me without exploring much?
Time is always on my side
Time is never a constraint for me.
Can I tempt you, come with me
Do you want to join me?
Be Devil may care, fulfill your dream
Be reckless, pursue your ambitions.
If I said I'd take you there
If I assure you, reaching there with me is possible,
Would you go, would you be scared?
Would you come with me or be intimidated by the idea?
Don't be afraid, you're safe with me
You don't have to be scared; I'll protect you.
Safe as any soul can be, honestly
As safe as anyone alive can ever be.
Just let yourself go
Relax and leave your inhibitions behind.
Caught somewhere in time
In the present moment (caught in time).
Like a wolf in sheep's clothing
You pretend to be good, but you're not.
You try to hide your deepest sins
You are attempting to conceal your gravest errors.
Of all the things that you've done wrong
Out of all the misdeeds you committed,
And I know where you belong
I know where you came from or where you fit in.
Make you an offer you can't refuse
Proposing you an irresistible proposition.
You've only got your soul to lose
It's your own morality that's at stake.
Eternally
This will have infinite implications.
Caught somewhere in time
Stuck in the present, maybe?
Caught now in two minds, oh
Now confused between two thoughts or decisions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it