Characteristics
NWOBHM's music reacted against the artifice of contemporary pop, placing an emphasis on musicianship and amplification, the former trait setting it apart from punk rock. Yet, unlike progressive rock, which placed a far greater emphasis on musical complexity, and unlike post-punk, which emphasized 'strangeness' and innovation, the NWOBHM thrived on volume, speed, and directness, with an idealised working class image.
Reviled or ignored by many mainstream critics in both the UK and the US, the NWOBHM nonetheless came to dominate the hard rock scene of the early-mid 1980s. NWOBHM was musically characterised by power chords, fast guitar solos and melodic, soaring vocals, with lyrical themes often drawing inspiration from mythology, fantasy fiction, and the occult. The movement's music was, however, often surprisingly melodic, and surprisingly parallel to punk and post-punk.
Decline
NWOBHM suffered the same fate as many other musical movements. First, the majority of its leading lights were unable to follow up on their initial successes. Second, many bands moved further away from the era towards mainstream hard rock, with Def Leppard in particular targeting the American market with a more refined sound despite having major success. By the mid 1980s, young rock fans searching for their own identities found a new metal scene emanating from Los Angeles led by bands such as Mötley Crüe and later Guns N' Roses. Record companies also latched onto the L.A. scene over the NWOBHM scene because the L.A. bands brought them the one thing heavy metal hadn't yet brought into the fold - legions of female fans. Glam metal simply proved to be more profitable for record companies during this era. In addition, thrash metal, another new but much less mainstream metal scene, had fully emerged around the same time period, which attracted many rock fans for being much faster and even heavier than NWOBHM and often having political lyrics, though the entire genre itself was largely influenced by it.
Some of the more popular bands of the movement, however, went on to considerable, lasting success. Def Leppard, despite discarding their earlier, heavier sound, became even more successful when they used MTV to play their promotional music videos, and thus commercialising their hard rock sound in order to help sales of their albums on strengths of singles. Iron Maiden and Motörhead however stayed with a more traditional heavy metal style, which won them a large and loyal fanbase even after bands with a similar sound had declined.
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reflecting on my past life and it doesn't have much time
'Cause at 5 o'clock, they take me to the Gallows Pole
The sands of time for me are running low
Running low, yeah
When the priest comes to read me the last rites
Take a look through the bars at the last sights
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me
Can it be that there's some sort of error?
Hard to stop the surmounting terror
Is it really the end, not some crazy dream?
Somebody, please tell me that I'm dreaming
It's not easy to stop from screaming
The words escape me when I try to speak
Tears flow, but why am I crying?
After all, I'm not afraid of dying
Don't I believe that there never is an end?
As the guards march me out to the courtyard
Somebody cries from a cell, "God be with you"
If there's a God, why has he let me go?
As I walk, my life drifts before me
Though the end is near I'm not sorry
Catch my soul, it's willing to fly away
Mark my words, believe my soul lives on
Don't worry now that I have gone
I've gone beyond to seek the truth
When you know that your time is close at hand
Maybe then you'll begin to understand
Life down here is just a strange illusion
Yeah-yeah-yeah, hallowed be thy name
Yeah-yeah-yeah, hallowed be thy name
Yeah
The lyrics to Iron Maiden's Hallowed Be Thy Name tell the story of a prisoner who is awaiting execution. The song is told from the perspective of the prisoner, who is reflecting on his past life and accepting the fact that his time is running out. As the bell chimes, the prisoner knows that at 5 o'clock he will be taken to the "Gallows Pole" and his life will come to an end.
The lyrics also touch on the prisoner's fear and uncertainty about what comes after death. As the priest comes to read him the last rites, he looks out of his cell and sees a world that has gone very wrong for him. He questions whether it's the end or just a crazy dream, and begs someone to tell him that he's dreaming. The prisoner is overcome with emotion and tears flow, but he tries to convince himself that there never is an end.
As the guards march him to the courtyard, the prisoner hears someone crying from a cell, wishing him well and saying "God be with you". The prisoner questions why God has let him go and continues to ponder the meaning of life and what comes after death. He ultimately accepts his fate and believes that his soul will live on beyond his physical body.
Overall, the song is a powerful reflection on mortality and the uncertainty that comes with facing death.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm waiting in my cold cell when the bell begins to chime
I am alone in confinement, awaiting death as the clock strikes.
Reflecting on my past life and it doesn't have much time
I am contemplating my life and my time is limited.
'Cause at 5 o'clock, they take me to the Gallows Pole
Soon, I will be led to my execution at dawn.
The sands of time for me are running low
The end of my life is near and time is running out.
Running low, yeah
My time is almost up.
When the priest comes to read me the last rites
The priest will come to administer my final rites.
Take a look through the bars at the last sights
I take one last look at the world through the bars of my cell.
Of a world that has gone very wrong for me
The world has been cruel and unforgiving to me.
Can it be that there's some sort of error?
I question the possibility of a mistake.
Hard to stop the surmounting terror
The mounting fear and anxiety is overwhelming.
Is it really the end, not some crazy dream?
I wonder if this is truly the end or just a surreal nightmare.
Somebody, please tell me that I'm dreaming
I hope someone will tell me that this is a dream.
It's not easy to stop from screaming
I struggle to keep from yelling or crying out.
The words escape me when I try to speak
I cannot find the words to express my thoughts and feelings.
Tears flow, but why am I crying?
I cry, but question why I am shedding tears.
After all, I'm not afraid of dying
I am not afraid of death itself.
Don't I believe that there never is an end?
I believe that life never truly ends.
As the guards march me out to the courtyard
The guards lead me through the prison to my execution site.
Somebody cries from a cell, "God be with you"
A fellow prisoner offers a blessing as I pass by their cell.
If there's a God, why has he let me go?
I question a higher power's role in my fate.
As I walk, my life drifts before me
My life flashes before my eyes as I approach death.
Though the end is near I'm not sorry
Despite my situation, I have no regrets about my life.
Catch my soul, it's willing to fly away
My soul is ready and willing to move on.
Mark my words, believe my soul lives on
I firmly believe that my soul will continue after my death.
Don't worry now that I have gone
Do not worry or grieve now that I have passed away.
I've gone beyond to seek the truth
I have transcended past death to seek enlightenment and meaning.
When you know that your time is close at hand
When you face the end of your life and death is near,
Maybe then you'll begin to understand
Perhaps then you will grasp the true meaning of life.
Life down here is just a strange illusion
Life on Earth is a perplexing and elusive concept.
Yeah-yeah-yeah, hallowed be thy name
May your name be revered and celebrated, forever and always.
Yeah-yeah-yeah, hallowed be thy name
May your name be cherished and revered, now and forever.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it