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)
Lord of Light
Iron Maiden Lyrics
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There are secrets that you keep
There are secrets that you tell to me alone
I can't reach things I can't see
You don't see this strange world
Quite the same as me
Don't deny me what I am
Nothing hidden, still you fail to see the truth
These are things you can't reveal
We are part of some strange plan
Why the slaughter of the brotherhood of man
Infernal sacrifice of hell
Fire breathing, lead the way
Mounds of bodies as they all burn into one
Revenge is living in the past
Time to look into a new millennium
Spiral path leads through the maze
Down into the fiery underworld below
Fire breathing lead the way
Lucifer was just an angel led astray
Free your soul and let it fly
Give your life to the Lord of Light
Keep your secrets and rain on me
All I see are mysteries
Free your soul and let it fly
Give your life to the Lord of Light
Keep your secrets and rain on me
All I see are mysteries
We are not worthy in your black and blazing eyes
We gather demons in the mirror every day
The bridge of darkness casts a shadow on us all
And all our sins to you we give this day
Others wait their turn, their lives were meant to last
Use yours wisely as the light is fading fast
Free your soul and let it fly
Mine was caught, I couldn't try
Time returns again to punish all of us
We are cast out by our bloody father's hand
We are strangers in this lonely promised land
We are the shadows of the one unholy ghost
In our nightmare world, the only one we trust
Free your soul and let it fly
Give your life to the Lord of Light
Keep your secrets and rain on me
All I see are mysteries
Free your soul and let it fly
Give your life to the Lord of Light
Keep your secrets and rain on me
All I see are mysteries
Iron Maiden's "Lord of Light" features lyrics that explore themes of secrets, sacrifice, and redemption. The song suggests that there is a deep rift between people's perceptions of reality and the truth that lies hidden from view. The repeated phrase, "There are secrets that you keep / There are secrets that you tell to me alone" underscores this idea of hidden knowledge that only a select few have access to. The song also touches on a concept of divine plan, questioning why the brotherhood of man must be sacrificed.
The lyrics suggest that there is a struggle happening between the forces of light and darkness, and that individuals have to choose which side they want to align themselves with. The Lord of Light is represented as a figure who can offer redemption and salvation to those who are willing to give themselves up to him. The lyrics urge listeners to "Free your soul and let it fly / Give your life to the Lord of Light / Keep your secrets and rain on me / All I see are mysteries."
Overall, "Lord of Light" is a song that encourages listeners to question their own perceptions of reality and the secrets that may be hidden from them. It suggests that individuals have the power to choose their own path and offers hope for redemption and salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
There are secrets that you keep
The singer acknowledges that the person they are addressing harbors secrets.
There are secrets that you keep
The singer repeats that the person they are addressing has secrets.
There are secrets that you tell to me alone
Despite the secrets held, the person trusts the singer enough to share some information only with them.
I can't reach things I can't see
The artist cannot access things they have no knowledge of.
You don't see this strange world
The person and the artist have different perspectives on life.
Quite the same as me
The person and the singer don't have the same outlook on life.
Don't deny me what I am
The singer asks the person not to deny their true identity.
Nothing hidden, still you fail to see the truth
Even though the artist reveals everything about themselves, the person doesn't understand them fully.
These are things you can't reveal
There are confidential matters that the person cannot disclose.
We are part of some strange plan
The artist believes that they and the person have a role to play in an unknown design.
Why the slaughter of the brotherhood of man
The singer is perplexed by the bloodshed between men who ought to be united.
Infernal sacrifice of hell
The person describes a hellish act of sacrifice.
Fire breathing, lead the way
A force takes the lead amid the chaos with the destructive power of a dragon.
Mounds of bodies as they all burn into one
The death toll is staggering as fires raze everything to ashes.
Revenge is living in the past
The concept of revenge is outdated and counterproductive.
Time to look into a new millennium
It is time for change to propel humanity forward.
Spiral path leads through the maze
The artist describes an intricate path that will eventually lead to their destination.
Down into the fiery underworld below
The path leads to a realm of fire beneath the surface.
Lucifer was just an angel led astray
The singer explains that what people know about the devil may be a misconception.
Free your soul and let it fly
The artist encourages the person to unburden themselves and find freedom.
Give your life to the Lord of Light
The person should devote themselves to an enlightened path.
Keep your secrets and rain on me
The person can keep their secrets but should allow the artist to know them.
All I see are mysteries
The singer has questions without answers.
We are not worthy in your black and blazing eyes
The person has dark desires and standards that nobody can match.
We gather demons in the mirror every day
The singer believes that the person collects negative influences by observing themselves.
The bridge of darkness casts a shadow on us all
There is a connection between the person's dark side and humanity's cursed past.
And all our sins to you we give this day
The singer acknowledges that everyone has committed wrongdoings and asks for forgiveness.
Others wait their turn, their lives were meant to last
People have different destinies, and some were meant to live longer than others.
Use yours wisely as the light is fading fast
The limited time left should be used for a higher purpose.
Mine was caught, I couldn't try
The singer was hindered to try something.
Time returns again to punish all of us
Although time never gives up, eventually, everyone will be held accountable for their deeds.
We are cast out by our bloody father's hand
The artist talks about humans being expelled from paradise, referring to Adam and Eve's story from the bible.
We are strangers in this lonely promised land
The earth is barren, even though it was meant to be bountiful.
We are the shadows of the one unholy ghost
People are remnants of the devil.
In our nightmare world, the only one we trust
People cannot rely on anybody but themselves.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adrian Frederick Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it