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)
Chains of Misery
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He likes to pry, into your sunlight
He wants to burst into the street with you and I
A world of shadows and of rain
He's seen what love is
He wants to pay you back with guilt
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He won't be still 'til he's turned the key
He holds your chains of misery, yeah, he's got your chains of misery
There's a prophet in the gutter in the street
He say "you're damned" and you believe him
He's got a vision but it shines out through your eyes
A world of hatred and fear
He's felt what love means
He wants to pay you back with pain
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned the key
He holds your chains of misery
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
It's only love that holds the key to your heart
It's only love
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He's got your chains of misery
He won't be still 'til he's turned your key
He holds your chains of misery
The song Chains of Misery by Iron Maiden has a deep meaning and is one of the most emotional tracks of the band. The lyrics talk about a madman and a prophet who manipulate and control the person’s thoughts and actions. The madman “likes to pry, into your sunlight” and wants to pull the person into a world of shadows and rain. He has seen love, but instead of paying it back, he wants to pay back with guilt. On the other hand, the prophet who lies in the gutter in the street has created a world of hatred and fear. He convinces the person that they are doomed, and they believe him. He has felt love, but in return, he wants to pay back with pain. These two people control the person’s life, and they become chains of misery.
The lyrics suggest that these two people are not the only ones responsible for the person’s misery. The person is also a victim of their emotions, and they have to understand that it is love that holds the key to their heart. The chains of misery are not only physical chains, but mental chains that have to be broken by the person. The person has to find love and understand that it is the only way to break free from the chains of misery.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a madman in the corner of your eye
There's someone in your peripheral vision who you suspect is unstable
He likes to pry, into your sunlight
He's curious about your happiness and wants to know more about it
He wants to burst into the street with you and I
He's looking for someone to join him in his unstable behavior
A world of shadows and of rain
He sees the world as a dark, gloomy place
He's seen what love is
He's experienced love before
He wants to pay you back with guilt
He wants to make you feel bad for something he blames you for
He lies to you, he won't let you be
He deceives you and won't leave you alone
He's got your chains of misery
He's got control over your negative emotions
He won't be still 'til he's turned the key
He won't stop until he has complete control over you
There's a prophet in the gutter in the street
There's someone who appears to be homeless and unclean who is predicting doom
He say 'you're damned' and you believe him
He claims you are doomed and you trust his prediction
He's got a vision but it shines out through your eyes
His vision is distorted, and you start to see things from his point of view
A world of hatred and fear
He sees a world consumed with negativity
He's felt what love means
He's had a positive experience with love in the past
He wants to pay you back with pain
He wants to hurt you to make you feel his pain
It's only love that holds the key to your heart
Love is the only thing that can unlock your true emotions and happiness
He holds your chains of misery
He has total control over your negative emotions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bruce Dickinson, David Michael Murray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it