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)
Gates of Tomorrow
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deceiving your eyes and delaying your goal
Ships in the night when they pass out of sight
Deliver their cargo of earthly delights
To the women and children, the souls of the dead
I've opened their book and no mercy is shed
You want forgiveness and you want it cheap
Suffering evil when you pay the price of fame
There isn't a God to save you if you don't save yourself
You can't blame a madman for this if you go insane
Give me the strength so I carry on
Trapped in the web, but I cut the threads
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in the web, no mercy is shed
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in the web, slaves to the dead
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in the web, but I cut the threads
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Suffering evil when you pay the price of fame
There isn't a God to save you if you don't save yourself
You can't blame a madman for this if you go insane
Give me the strength so I carry on
Trapped in the web, but I cut the threads
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in the web, slaves to the dead
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in the web, no mercy is shed
Show you the gates of tomorrow
Trapped in the web, but I cut the threads
Show you the gates of tomorrow
The lyrics of "Gates of Tomorrow" by Iron Maiden are a combination of warnings about the dangers of being deceived by earthly pleasures and a call to find strength to continue pursuing one's path despite the obstacles. The first verse describes how these pleasures can distract and delay someone from achieving their goals, using the metaphor of ships passing in the night to represent how these temptations come and go quickly. However, the second verse takes a darker turn, warning that the pursuit of these pleasures can lead to suffering and destruction, with no forgiveness or reward for those who succumb to them. The singer then asks for the strength to carry on despite the challenges and to cut the threads that bind them to these temptations, offering to show the way to a better future through the gates of tomorrow.
Overall, the song seems to be cautioning against the lure of immediate gratification and emphasizing the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. It acknowledges the difficulty of remaining focused on one's goals and avoiding distractions but emphasizes that this is the only way to avoid being trapped and enslaved by the worldly desires that can ultimately lead to ruin.
Line by Line Meaning
Weaving a thread 'round your heart and your soul
I'm manipulating you and your emotions to achieve my goal
Deceiving your eyes and delaying your goal
I'm tricking you and distracting you from what you truly want
Ships in the night when they pass out of sight
Opportunities often come and go unnoticed or quickly fade away
Deliver their cargo of earthly delights
People are often distracted by worldly pleasures and miss out on what really matters
To the women and children, the souls of the dead
My actions may harm innocent people and those who have already passed
I've opened their book and no mercy is shed
I am judging and punishing without pity or compassion
You want forgiveness and you want it cheap
You desire absolution for your actions without truly repenting or making amends
I don't give redemption, rewards for the meek
I will not grant forgiveness or mercy to the weak or easily manipulated
Suffering evil when you pay the price of fame
The pursuit of fame can lead to misery and suffering
There isn't a God to save you if you don't save yourself
You must take responsibility for your own actions and salvation
You can't blame a madman for this if you go insane
You cannot excuse your own madness or destructive behavior by blaming someone else
Give me the strength so I carry on
I need the confidence and power to continue my manipulative ways
Trapped in the web, but I cut the threads
I am breaking free from the constraints of my own deception
Show you the gates of tomorrow
I will reveal to you the possibilities of the future
Trapped in the web, no mercy is shed
I will not show compassion to those who have fallen for my deception
Trapped in the web, slaves to the dead
My victims are trapped and controlled by their own weaknesses and past mistakes
Trapped in the web, but I cut the threads
I am breaking free from the constraints of my own deception
Show you the gates of tomorrow
I will reveal to you the possibilities of the future
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, David Harris Stephen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it