The single "Fear of the Dark (live)" is the 26th single released by the band. This live version of the song (as well as the live version of "Bring Your Daughter...To the Slaughter") is taken from the live album A Real Live One. The single reached number 5 in the UK charts. The live version of "Hooks in You" was recorded at the Wembley Arena, London, UK on the 17th of December 1990. When Iron Maiden plays this song live the crowd sings along to the intro and in large venues they can be louder than the band itself. A good example is the performance of Fear of the Dark at Rock In Rio.
The song has been covered by German a cappella metal band van Canto on their album Hero, and by Fighstar in the "Maiden Heaven" tribute album.
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden Lyrics
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And when I'm walking a dark road
At night or strolling through the park
When the light begins to change
I sometimes feel a little strange
A little anxious when it's dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a phobia that someone's always there
Have you run your fingers down the wall
And have you felt your neck skin crawl
When you're searching for the light?
Sometimes when you're scared to take a look
At the corner of the room
You've sensed that something's watching you
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Have a phobia that someone's always there
Have you ever been alone at night
Thought you heard footsteps behind
And turned around and no one's there?
And as you quicken up your pace
You find it hard to look again
Because you're sure there's someone there
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
have a phobia that someone's always there
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Watching horror films the night before
Debating witches and folklore
The unknown troubles on your mind
Maybe your mind is playing tricks
You sense and suddenly eyes fix
On dancing shadows from behind
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Have a phobia that someone's always there
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
I have a constant fear that something's always near
Fear of the dark
Fear of the dark
Have a phobia that someone's always there
When I'm walking a dark road
I am a man who walks alone
Iron Maiden’s song Fear of the Dark is a haunting exploration of the irrational fear of the unknown. The song captures the dark imaginings of the singer as he walks alone at night. He is troubled by the possibility of something lurking in the shadows and the constant feeling that something is watching him. The recurrent refrain emphasises the fear of the dark and the anxiety that something or someone unknown is always near.
The lyrics are evocative in portraying the fear of the unknown. The reference to the horror films and folklore which the singer had watched imbibed his mind with unknown troubles. He suddenly senses eyes watching him from behind and dancing shadows, which add to his fear of the dark. The fear is real and palpable, and the emphasis on the constant fear and the phobia suggests that the singer cannot shake off this sense of unease and paranoia.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a man who walks alone
I am a solitary person who prefers to be alone
And when I'm walking a dark road
And when I am walking through places with minimal lighting
At night or strolling through the park
During the night or taking a casual walk in the park
When the light begins to change
When the light of the day starts transforming to darkness
I sometimes feel a little strange
I sporadically experience an odd feeling
A little anxious when it's dark
Somewhat worried and uneasy when there is lack of light
Fear of the dark
Intense terror of darkness
I have a constant fear that something's always near
I have a persistent thought of something always being close by
I have a phobia that someone's always there
I have overwhelming dread that somebody is present
Have you run your fingers down the wall
Have you traced your fingertips along the walls of a place
And have you felt your neck skin crawl
And have you experienced your neck being covered in goosebumps
When you're searching for the light?
While you are trying to find a source of light
Sometimes when you're scared to take a look
At times when you are afraid of looking
At the corner of the room
At the corner of any room
You've sensed that something's watching you
You have a perception that something is observing you
Have you ever been alone at night
Have you ever found yourself lone during nighttime
Thought you heard footsteps behind
Believed you heard footsteps that are coming from behind
And turned around and no one's there?
And after turning, you didn't find anyone there
And as you quicken up your pace
And as you begin to speed up your steps
You find it hard to look again
You struggle to look back again
Because you're sure there's someone there
Due to you being convinced that somebody is present
Watching horror films the night before
Viewing horror movies on the night prior
Debating witches and folklore
Discussing witches and traditional stories
The unknown troubles on your mind
The unfamiliar problems occupying your thoughts
Maybe your mind is playing tricks
Possibility of your mind deceiving you
You sense and suddenly eyes fix
You perceive and all of a sudden focus your gaze
On dancing shadows from behind
On flickering outlines appearing from behind
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it