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)

Rainmaker
Iron Maiden Lyrics

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When I was wandering in the desert
And was searching for the truth
I heard a choir of angels calling out my name
I had the feeling that my life would never be the same again
I turned my face towards the barren sun

And I know of the pain, that you feel the same as me
And I dream of the rain as it falls upon the leaves

And the cracks in our lives like the cracks upon the ground
They are sealed and are now washed away

You tell me we can start the rain
You tell me that we all can change
You tell me we can find something to wash the tears away
You tell me we can start the rain
You tell me that we all can change
You tell me we can find something to wash the tears

And I know of the pain, that you feel the same as me
And I dream of the rain as it falls upon the leaves
And the cracks in the ground like the cracks are in our lives
That are sealed and are now far away

You tell me we can start the rain
You tell me that we all can change
You tell me we can find something to wash the tears away
You tell me we can start the rain
You tell me that we all can change
You tell me we can find something to wash the tears

You tell me we can start the rain
You tell me that we all can change
You tell me we can find something to wash the tears away
You tell me we can start the rain
You tell me that we all can change
You tell me we can find something to wash the tears

And I know of the pain, that you feel the same as me
And I dream of the rain as it falls upon the leaves

And the cracks in the ground like the cracks are in our lives
They are sealed and are now far away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Rainmaker" by Iron Maiden are poetic and metaphorical, describing a spiritual journey of personal transformation. The singer speaks of being lost in the desert, searching for the truth, and hearing a choir of angels calling out his name. This divine intervention leads him to turn his face toward the "barren sun" and contemplate the pain and cracks in his life. He dreams of rain falling upon the leaves and washing away the cracks in the ground and in his life, representing a cathartic release from personal struggles.

The chorus reiterates the theme that change is possible and that the tears shed can be washed away. The use of the inclusive pronoun "we" suggests that the singer's experience is universal and that everyone can participate in this transformative journey. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this message and the hope for change.

Overall, "Rainmaker" is a powerful meditation on personal growth and resilience, and the importance of hope and faith in overcoming adversity. The lyrics are rich with symbolism and metaphor, inviting listeners to contemplate their own spiritual journeys and the transformative power of nature.

Line by Line Meaning

When I was wandering in the desert
As I was lost and searching for clarity

And was searching for the truth
Desperately trying to find answers

I heard a choir of angels calling out my name
I was comforted by a divine presence

I had the feeling that my life would never be the same again
This experience had a profound impact on me

I turned my face towards the barren sun
I faced the harsh reality of my situation

And I know of the pain, that you feel the same as me
I understand the struggle and hurt that you are also experiencing

And I dream of the rain as it falls upon the leaves
I imagine the relief and renewal that comes with rain

And the cracks in our lives like the cracks upon the ground
Our personal struggles are represented by the cracks in the earth

They are sealed and are now washed away
Our difficulties can be overcome and let go

You tell me we can start the rain
There is hope that we can initiate positive change

You tell me that we all can change
We are not helpless and have the power to transform

You tell me we can find something to wash the tears away
There is a solution to help alleviate our pain

And the cracks in the ground like the cracks are in our lives
Our struggles are like the broken earth beneath our feet

That are sealed and are now far away
We can move past our difficulties and leave them behind

And I know of the pain, that you feel the same as me
I share your anguish and recognize your struggle

And I dream of the rain as it falls upon the leaves
I envision the relief and possibility of renewal that comes with rain

You tell me we can start the rain
There is hope that we can initiate positive change

You tell me that we all can change
We are not helpless and have the power to transform

You tell me we can find something to wash the tears away
There is a solution to help alleviate our pain

You tell me we can start the rain
There is hope that we can initiate positive change

You tell me that we all can change
We are not helpless and have the power to transform

You tell me we can find something to wash the tears
There is hope for relief from emotional burdens

You tell me we can start the rain
There is hope that we can initiate positive change

You tell me that we all can change
We are not helpless and have the power to transform

You tell me we can find something to wash the tears
There is hope for relief from emotional burdens

And the cracks in the ground like the cracks are in our lives
Our personal struggles are reflected in the broken earth beneath our feet

They are sealed and are now far away
We can overcome our difficulties and move beyond them

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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