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)
Speed of Light
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A hollow universe in space
I took a trip to see the sights
That will be black over a night
One way ticket now returned
My shootin' stars are vastly burnt
On the edge that we can't see
Let's shot the moon, you and me
A just too lonesome galaxy
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
We slip into the night
I'll say a mass for you and wave
Shootin' plasma from my grave
Event horizon lost in space
Runnin' in a human race
I don't know where I don't know why
But somehow back in time again
I'm on the edge you can't see
Another take your love at night
A single party call on me
You won't be trackin' me by sight
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
We slip into the night
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
We slip into the night
The lyrics of Iron Maiden's song Speed of Light describe a journey through space and time to a distant and mysterious galaxy. The singer appears to have taken this trip alone and is now stuck on the edge of darkness, trying to find a way back home. The lyrics suggest that humanity's efforts may not be enough to save us from being lost in space forever. The imagery of "shadows in the stars" and "slipping into the night" creates a sense of haunting mystery and eerie beauty, reflecting the vastness and unknown nature of the universe.
The theme of escaping reality and entering into an alternate universe is nothing new for Iron Maiden. The band has always been fascinated with science fiction and has incorporated it into many of their songs. Speed of Light is an energetic and fast-paced song, representative of Iron Maiden's signature sound. The guitar work is prominently featured, with fast riffs and intricate solos. The song is a celebration of the band's heavy metal roots, and showcases their ability to craft catchy and memorable tracks.
Overall, the lyrics of Speed of Light reveal a sense of wonder and awe about the universe, but also a warning about the dangers of getting lost in it. The song encourages us to appreciate what we have on Earth and to make the most of our time. It is a testament to Iron Maiden's ability to create powerful and thought-provoking music.
Line by Line Meaning
Another time, another place
In a different moment and location
A hollow universe in space
An empty cosmos out there
I took a trip to see the sights
I went on a journey to witness the wonders
That will be black over a night
Which will disappear into the darkness eventually
One way ticket now returned
After a voyage, I can't go back
My shootin' stars are vastly burnt
My dreams have been shattered
On the edge that we can't see
At a place beyond our perception
Let's shot the moon, you and me
Taking a grand risk together
And that particular you'll see
The outcome will become clear
A just too lonesome galaxy
A desolate and solitary world
Shadows in the stars
Mystery and darkness pervade the universe
We will not return
Our journey is irreversible
Humanity won't save us
Society can't prevent our fate
At the speed of light
Traveling at an incredible velocity
I'll say a mass for you and wave
I will pray for you and bid farewell
Shootin' plasma from my grave
Even after death, I'm still fighting
Event horizon lost in space
A crucial point of no return
Runnin' in a human race
Striving to keep up in life
I don't know where I don't know why
I'm not sure where I'm going or why
But somehow back in time again
Yet returning to the past
I'm on the edge you can't see
Standing at a place beyond perception
Another take your love at night
Another chance for a romantic evening
A single party call on me
A party of one, all alone
You won't be trackin' me by sight
You won't be able to find or follow me visually
We slip into the night
We move quietly into oblivion
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adrian Frederick Smith, Bruce Dickinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniela Viegas
0:52 Donkey Kong
1:44 Splatterhouse
1:48 Alien
2:06 Metal Slug
2:18 Metroid
2:49 Mortal Kombat, but looks like Killer Instinct
3:48 Skyrim
3:59 First Person Shooters games
4:10 Fallout
4:15 Mirrors Edge
I guess, i'm not sure...
Bravo Alpha
Here are the lyrics if you want to
Another time, another place
A hollow universe in space
I took a trip to see the sights
That will be black over a night
One way ticket now returned
My shootin' stars are vastly burnt
On the edge that we can't see
Let's shot the moon, you and me
And that particular you'll see
A just too lonesome galaxy
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
We're slippin' through the night
I'll say a mass for you and wave
Shootin' plasma from my grave
Event horizon lost in space
Runnin' in a human race
I don't know where I don't know why
But somehow back in time again
I'm on the edge you can't see
Another take your love at night
A single party call on me
You won't be trackin' me by sight
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
We're slippin' through the night
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Shadows in the stars
We will not return
Humanity won't save us
At the speed of light
Zenith Kaijaou
ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER PLACE
A HOLLOW UNIVERSE IN SPACE
I TOOK A TRIP TO SEE THE SIGHTS
I WILL BE BLACKER THAN THE NIGHT
ONE WAY TICKET NO RETURN
MY SHOOTING STAR SO FAST IT BURNS
ON THE EDGE THAT YOU CAN’T SEE
LET’S SHOOT THE MOON YOU AND ME
I’M NOT PARTICULAR YOU SEE
JUST A LONESOME GALAXY
SHADOWS IN THE STARS WE WILL NOT RETURN
HUMANITY WON’T SAVE US AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT
SHADOWS IN THE STARS WE WILL NOT RETURN
HUMANITY WON’T SAVE US WE SLIP INTO THE NIGHT
I’LL SAY A MASS FOR YOU AND WAVE
SHOOTING PLASMA FROM MY GRAVE
EVENT HORIZON LOST IN SPACE
RUNNING IN A HUMAN RACE
I DON’T KNOW WHERE I DON’T KNOW WHEN
BUT SOMEHOW BACK THERE TIME AGAIN
I’M THE EDGE THAT YOU CAN’T SEE
I’M NOT PARTICULAR AT NIGHT
A SINGLE PARTICLE OF ME
YOU WON’T BE TRACKING ME BY SIGHT
SHADOWS IN THE STARS
WE WILL NOT RETURN
HUMANITY WON’T SAVE US
AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT
SHADOWS IN THE STARS
WE WILL NOT RETURN
HUMANITY WON’T SAVE US
WE SLIP INTO THE NIGHT
SHADOWS IN THE STARS
WE WILL NOT RETURN
HUMANITY WON’T SAVE US
AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT
SHADOWS IN THE STARS
WE WILL NOT RETURN
HUMANITY WON’T SAVE US
AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT
SHADOWS IN THE STARS
WE WILL NOT RETURN
HUMANITY WON’T SAVE US
AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT
SHADOWS IN THE STARS
WE WILL NOT RETURN
HUMANITY WON’T SAVE US
AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT
WE SLIP INTO THE NIGHT
[Official lyrics]
ILIRx
This song was the last song my dad showed me before his cancer took over so it has a very special place in my heart. I'm so glad Bruce won against cancer and still makes amazing songs.
Francisco J.
I am sorry to hear that, friend... Hope everything is good with you and your family
sam phi
Sorry about your Dad. BTW it was Adrian Smith/ H that wrote this song
Jonathan Tromp
I don't give a damn
Translucent_Nick
Very sorry for your Father. Hails and cheers from Athens, Greece - I am a Maiden freak since 1983 - I was 10 years old when I became a fan !
VICC
So sorry man :/
Daniela Viegas
0:52 Donkey Kong
1:44 Splatterhouse
1:48 Alien
2:06 Metal Slug
2:18 Metroid
2:49 Mortal Kombat, but looks like Killer Instinct
3:48 Skyrim
3:59 First Person Shooters games
4:10 Fallout
4:15 Mirrors Edge
I guess, i'm not sure...
MattiMän
3:59 is DOOM
Carlos Escalante
Muy acertado. Sólo que la parte de Fallout me recuerda más a Turok. Un saludo!
Snazzy Jovial Wyrm
"Fallout" should be replaced with Torak instead.