Iron Maiden is an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, i… Read Full Bio ↴Iron Maiden is an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harris, lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers. The band have released 41 albums, including 17 studio albums, 13 live albums, four EPs and seven compilations. They have also released 47 singles and 20 video albums. Two electronic games have been released with Iron Maiden soundtracks, and the band's music is featured in a number of other video games.

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)

Judgement of Heaven
Iron Maiden Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A lonely cry for help reaching out for help to anyone
A silent prayer to God to help you on your way
I've been depressed so long
It's hard to remember when I was happy
I've felt like suicide a dozen times or more
But that's the easy way, that's the selfish way
The hardest part is to get on with your life

You're searching in the dark
Clutching at straws to find a way
You take the Tarot cards and throw them to the wind

You questions your beliefs
Your inner thoughts, your whole existence
And if there is a God then answer if you will
And tell me of my fate, tell me of my place
Tell me if I'll ever rest in peace

If you could live your life again
Would you change a thing or leave it all the same
If you had the chance again
Would you change a thing at all
When you look back at your past
Can you say that you are proud of what we've done
Are there times when you believe
That the right you thought was wrong

All of my life I have believed
Judgment of Heaven is waiting for me

All of my life I have believed
Judgment of Heaven is waiting for me
Waiting for me
Waiting for me
Waiting for me
Yeah, yeah

All of my life now, I have believed
Judgment of Heaven awaits for me

All of my life now, I have believed
Judgment of Heaven awaits for me, yeah

All of my life I have believed
Judgment of Heaven is waiting for me

All of my life I have believed
Judgment of Heaven is waiting for me
Waiting for me
Waiting for me
Waiting for me
Yeah, yeah
Yeah

Yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Iron Maiden's "Judgement of Heaven" reflect the struggle of an individual who is going through a difficult and trying time, and is searching for answers and guidance. The song begins with a desperate cry for help, as the singer feels depressed and overwhelmed. They admit to having felt thoughts of suicide, but recognize that this is not the right path, and that the true challenge lies in finding the strength to move forward and rebuild their life.

The second verse continues the theme of searching and questioning, as the singer turns to divination in an attempt to find answers. They are grappling with deep existential questions, questioning their beliefs and wondering about the nature of fate and the afterlife. The bridge of the song poses a poignant rhetorical question - if given the chance to live their life over again, would they make different choices?

The overall tone of the lyrics is one of introspection, uncertainty, and a yearning for meaning and understanding. The repeated refrain of "Judgment of Heaven is waiting for me" underscores the singer's sense of impending doom and the need to find redemption.

Line by Line Meaning

A lonely cry for help reaching out for help to anyone
The feeling of being alone and helpless, and the desperate need for aid from anyone who may be able to provide it.

A silent prayer to God to help you on your way
A quiet plea to a higher power asking for guidance and assistance in one's journey.

I've been depressed so long It's hard to remember when I was happy
A long-standing struggle with depression that has made it difficult to recollect any moments of happiness.

I've felt like suicide a dozen times or more But that's the easy way, that's the selfish way The hardest part is to get on with your life
Recurring thoughts of suicide as a way out, but recognizing that succumbing to that impulse would be an easy and selfish decision, and that the real challenge is to keep going despite the hardships.

You're searching in the dark Clutching at straws to find a way You take the Tarot cards and throw them to the wind
The desperate, futile search for answers and direction, grasping for anything that may provide a solution, even something as mystic and uncertain as Tarot cards.

You questions your beliefs Your inner thoughts, your whole existence And if there is a God then answer if you will And tell me of my fate, tell me of my place Tell me if I'll ever rest in peace
Doubting one's own beliefs and questioning existence itself, wondering if there is a higher power, and pleading for answers about one's own fate and the possibility of finding peace.

If you could live your life again Would you change a thing or leave it all the same If you had the chance again Would you change a thing at all When you look back at your past Can you say that you are proud of what we've done Are there times when you believe That the right you thought was wrong
Reflecting on the past, considering whether any changes would be made if given the chance, and contemplating whether past actions align with personal beliefs and values.

All of my life I have believed Judgment of Heaven is waiting for me ...
A belief in some form of divine judgement or reckoning, and the implication that it holds personal significance and anticipation.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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