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)
Running Free
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just sixteen, a pickup truck, out of money, out of luck
I've got nowhere to call my own, hit the gas, and here I go
I'm running free yeah, I'm running free
I'm running free yeah, oh I'm running free
And listened to the sirens wail
They ain't got a thing on me
I'm running wild, I'm running free, yeah
I'm running free yeah, I'm running free
I'm running free yeah, oh I'm running free
Get out my way
I'm running free yeah, I'm running free
I'm running free yeah, oh I'm running free
Break
Pulled her at the bottle top
A whiskey, dancing, disco hop
Now all the boys are after me
And that's the way it's gonna be, yeah
I'm running free yeah, I'm running free
I'm running free yeah, oh I'm running free
Oh
(I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
I'm running(I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
Ooh, yeah-yeah
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
Ooh yeah, I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
Yeah
Iron Maiden's "Running Free" is a classic rock song that celebrates youth and the joys of being free. The lyrics describe a young man who is out of money and luck but has a pickup truck and a thirst for adventure. He hits the gas and takes off, feeling the wind in his hair and the open road ahead.
The first verse sets the scene and introduces our protagonist. He's 16 and has nothing to his name except a pickup truck. But he's not going to let that stop him from living life to the fullest. He's going to run free and see where the road takes him. The chorus reinforces this idea and serves as a rallying cry for anyone who wants to break free from society's restrictions.
The second verse tells us more about our hero's wild side. He's spent a night in an LA jail and heard the sirens wail, but he's not worried. He's running wild and free, and nothing can hold him back. The bridge serves as a musical break and builds anticipation for the final verse.
The third and final verse describes a night out on the town. Our hero has pulled a girl at the bottle top and taken her to a disco where he's the life of the party. All the boys want to be him, and all the girls want to be with him. He's truly running free, with the whole world at his feet.
Overall, "Running Free" is a celebration of youth, freedom, and adventure. It's a song that encourages people to take risks and live life to the fullest. It's no wonder that it has become one of Iron Maiden's most beloved songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Just sixteen, a pickup truck, out of money, out of luck
At just sixteen years old, I found myself without a penny to my name and no luck on my side, driving around in a pickup truck with nowhere to go.
I've got nowhere to call my own, hit the gas, and here I go
With no place to call home, I hit the gas pedal and set out on the open road, determined to find my own way in the world.
I spent the night in an LA jail
At one point in my journey, I ended up spending a night in a jail cell in Los Angeles.
And listened to the sirens wail
During my time in the cell, I could hear the sounds of police sirens outside, reminding me that I was in a tough spot.
They ain't got a thing on me
Despite what the authorities might have thought, I knew I was innocent and had done nothing wrong to end up in jail.
I'm running wild, I'm running free, yeah
I wasn't going to let anyone or anything hold me back from living my life to the fullest, which meant running wild and free, however I saw fit.
Get out my way
Anyone who tried to stand in my way or stop me from achieving my dreams was going to be in for a fight, as I refused to let anyone hold me down.
Pulled her at the bottle top, A whiskey, dancing, disco hop
I found joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as having a drink and dancing the night away to music that made me feel alive.
Now all the boys are after me, And that's the way it's gonna be, yeah
I attracted attention everywhere I went, with everyone from law enforcement to admirers chasing after me, but I was determined to live my life on my own terms, no matter what the cost.
Ooh, yeah-yeah
I was filled with a sense of excitement and adventure, ready to take on whatever challenges came my way with a sense of enthusiasm and joy.
Oh
This is a simple interjection that doesn't add much meaning to the lyrics.
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
This is a repeated hook that emphasizes the central theme of the song, which is breaking free from constraints and living life on one's own terms.
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
This is a repeated hook that emphasizes the central theme of the song, which is breaking free from constraints and living life on one's own terms.
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
This is a repeated hook that emphasizes the central theme of the song, which is breaking free from constraints and living life on one's own terms.
Ooh yeah, I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
This is a repeated hook that emphasizes the central theme of the song, which is breaking free from constraints and living life on one's own terms.
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
This is a repeated hook that emphasizes the central theme of the song, which is breaking free from constraints and living life on one's own terms.
I'm running (I'm running free yeah, I'm running free)
This is a repeated hook that emphasizes the central theme of the song, which is breaking free from constraints and living life on one's own terms.
Yeah
This is a simple interjection that doesn't add much meaning to the lyrics.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Di'anno, Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it