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)
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the sons divided they'd fall
Here await the birth of the son
The seventh, the heavenly, the chosen one
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Here the birth from an unbroken line
Unknowingly blessed and as his life unfolds
Slowly unveiling the power he holds
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Then they watch the progress he makes
The good and the evil, which path will he take?
Both of them trying to manipulate
The use of his powers before it's too late
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Seventh son of a seventh son
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Today is born the seventh one
Born of woman the seventh son
And he in turn of a seventh son
He has the power to heal
He has the gift of the second sight
He is the chosen one
So it shall be written
So it shall be done
The song "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" is a narrative of the birth and life of the seventh son of a seventh son, who is believed to be chosen and blessed with supernatural abilities. The lyrics explain that when seven sons have previously born to a family, the seventh son will be gifted with clairvoyant, psychic and healing powers. Iron Maiden continues to speak about the seventh son, who is born to be the chosen one with immense powers bestowed upon him. The division of the sons may ruin the process, but with patient development, his hidden gifts will surface.
As the song progresses, attention shifts to the observation of the seventh son's surroundings. Both the forces of good and evil look to exploit his gifts for their purposes. From there, the singer reminds the listener that the seventh son of a seventh son has the talent to heal and a second sight beyond what most people can fathom. The chosen one holds the power to determine his path for the benefit of mankind or for destruction. The tale ends with the birth of the seventh son of the seventh son and Iron Maiden underscores that this story shall not only be recounted but also etched.
Line by Line Meaning
Here they stand brothers them all
All of the sons, who are brothers, stand together.
All the sons divided they'd fall
If any of the sons were divided, they would fall apart.
Here await the birth of the son
They are waiting for the birth of the seventh son.
The seventh, the heavenly, the chosen one
The seventh son is chosen by the heavens.
Here the birth from an unbroken line
The birth of the seventh son is from an unbroken line of fathers.
Born the healer the seventh, his time
The seventh son has the power to heal and this is his time to be born.
Unknowingly blessed and as his life unfolds
The seventh son does not know he is blessed and as he grows up, his powers begin to show.
Slowly unveiling the power he holds
He slowly starts to realize the power he possesses.
Then they watch the progress he makes
The others start to watch his progress.
The good and the evil, which path will he take?
There is a conflict between good and evil and the seventh son has to choose his path.
Both of them trying to manipulate
Both sides are trying to influence the seventh son's decision.
The use of his powers before it's too late
They want to use his powers before it is too late.
Today is born the seventh one
The seventh son is born today.
Born of woman the seventh son
The seventh son is born of a woman.
And he in turn of a seventh son
His father is also a seventh son.
He has the power to heal
The seventh son has the power to heal.
He has the gift of the second sight
The seventh son has a gift of foresight or extrasensory perception.
He is the chosen one
The seventh son is chosen.
So it shall be written
This event is significant enough to be recorded.
So it shall be done
It will happen as it is written.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it