The song begins with the drums, then the other instruments join and play the main guitar riff, which was written by Janick Gers and is in G minor scale, as most of the song. The riff is played repeatedly until Bruce Dickinson joins with the lyrics. Through the verse, the guitars and bass play mainly G. Then there is a pre-chorus that is played in C and then the chorus, which features a guitar riff similar to the one of the intro and Bruce singing "Be Quick or Be Dead" repeatedly. Then the post chorus is played in G and F by the guitars as Dickinson sings "See what's ruling all our lives. See who's pulling strings".
The B-side features two official songs and one hidden track, including an original blues number (Nodding Donkey Blues) and Montrose cover (Space Station No. 5), and the unlisted Bayswater Ain't a Bad Place to Be. The last is a spoken word comedy piece by Bruce Dickinson (along with acoustic guitar accompaniment from Janick Gers) in which he imitates and makes fun of Maiden manager Rod Smallwood. A similar mockery of Smallwood was released before, as a B-side titled Sheriff of Huddersfield, which was available in the Wasted Years single.
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
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
@ives3572
This song is faster and heavier than most Iron Maiden songs, and is the band's first single co-written by Janick Gers, and it is all about the greed and corruption of the democratic system. Politicians do dodgy deals with the rich that screw up a lot of people. If you’re not quick, you’ll end up dead, either figuratively or literally. It was the first single from the album. The title was inspired by a passage (2 Timothy 4:1) in the Bible.
LYRICS
[Verse 1]
Covered in sinners and dripping with guilt
Making you money from slime and from filth
Parading your bellies in ivory towers
Investing our lives in your schemes and your powers
[Chorus]
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
[Bridge]
See what's ruling all our lives
See who's pulling the 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
[Verse 2]
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
So pull yourself stupid and rob yourself blind
[Chorus]
Be quick or be dead
Be quick, quick, quick, quick
Or be dead, dead, dead, dead
[Chorus]
Be quick... or be dead!
Be quick!
@edisonmustainethrash6662
-Who Listening Iron Maiden In 2024.....Up The Irons.
@jeremycubs8331
Bruce's vocals on this album is amazing.
@esmesmom1248
you are very accurate my friend
@thewildbruce5612
Although I prefer Bruce's operatic, powerful voice in the 80's and later parts of the 90's, he sounds awesome in No Prayer For the Dying and Fear of the Dark albums too! Bruce has ALWAYS sounded amazing!!! 🤘🤘
@vikborges
Yes!!
@angeljonash
+1
@MAD_1979
@@thewildbruce5612 Fact
@marioparedes2382
Powerful vocals, insane riff, mind-blowing guitar solo... Only Maiden can give you this.
@codelingmusic4559
not only Maiden bro...
powerful vocals? Black Sabbath
insane riffs? Metallica
mind blowing guitar solos? Megadeth
@estebanaguero867
Maiden and Judas