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)
The Educated Fool
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I don't know what it is I'm supposed to do
About this awkward situation
That's been forced down right upon me
As I'm walking down into
On my own into the valley of life
Got a lifetime of experience
Yeah, I've got so much to give
Open the page at chapter one
Could this just be that life's just begun?
Forever within your darker thoughts
Reflecting on everything you've been taught
Never felt this way before
Seems that somebody's just opened the door
To the book of life, or is it death?
Is there ever any way out?
Someone's looking down on me
To the very inner core of my soul
They won't tell me what they see
But I really want to know
I want to live my life on my own
I want to lift the unturned stone
I want to walk right into the fire
I want to live out all my desires
I want to go and see the fire burn
I want to see and feel my world turn
I want to know what more there's to learn
I want to pass the point of no return
Do you really want to be
Just another one statistic?
Or feel that you really should aspire
That you really do deserve more
Do you ever really feel
That you have so much potential inside?
What you really have to give
Could be realized much more
I want to live my life on my own
I want to lift the unturned stone
I want to walk right into the fire
I want to live out all my desires
I want to go and see the fire burn
I want to see and feel my world turn
I want to know what more there's to learn
I want to pass the point of no return
Time will flow
And I will follow
Time will go
But I will follow
Time will flow
And I will follow
Time will go
But I will follow
I want to feel what life's like respond
I want to meet my father beyond
I want to walk right into the light
I want to feel no fear but delight
I want to live my life on my own
I want to lift the unturned stone
I want to walk right into the fire
I want to live out all my desires
Time will flow
And I will follow
Time will go
But I will follow
Time will flow
And I will follow
Time will go
But I will follow
Time will flow
And I will follow
Time will go
But I will follow
The educated fool
The Educated Fool by Iron Maiden is a song that explores the conflict between knowledge and the desire for personal discovery. The opening lines, "I'm an educated fool, so I don't know what it is I'm supposed to do" suggest that the singer is trapped within societal expectations that are imposing limitations on their desire for self-discovery. The singer is forced into a situation that they didn't choose, and they feel trapped. The journey that they embark on is one of self-discovery and reflection, a journey that ultimately leads them to question what life is about.
The singer's journey begins as they walk down into the valley of life with a lifetime of experience. They reflect on their life and realize that they have so much to give, but they don't know how to give it. The singer wants to live their life on their own terms, to lift the unturned stone and see what is beneath it. They want to walk right into the fire and live out all their desires. The singer yearns for personal growth and to understand the true nature of existence, even if it leads to a point of no return.
The chorus of the song, "Time will flow, and I will follow; Time will go, but I will follow," serves as a reminder that time is fleeting and that the singer must make the most of it. The singer wants to embrace life's challenges and find their own path, regardless of the outcomes. The final lines suggest that the singer wants to transcend their current reality and experience life on a higher plane, one without fear or limitations.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an educated fool
Despite my knowledge and education, I feel ill-equipped to handle the situation at hand.
So I don't know what it is I'm supposed to do
I am uncertain about the correct course of action to take.
About this awkward situation
The situation is uncomfortable and difficult to navigate.
That's been forced down right upon me
I feel like I have no control and that the situation is happening to me against my will.
As I'm walking down into
I am moving toward, perhaps metaphorically descending or facing a challenge.
On my own into the valley of life
I am alone as I navigate the ups and downs of life's journey.
Got a lifetime of experience
I have lived for a while and have knowledge and understanding from my experiences.
Yeah, I've got so much to give
I have a lot to offer the world, but I am unsure of how to do so.
Open the page at chapter one
Starting anew, beginning a new chapter in life.
Could this just be that life's just begun?
I am questioning whether or not there is more to life and if I have just begun to discover it.
Forever within your darker thoughts
My pessimistic or negative thinking pulls me into a darker place.
Reflecting on everything you've been taught
I am thinking back on all the knowledge and lessons I have learned throughout my life.
Never felt this way before
I am experiencing something new and unfamiliar.
Seems that somebody's just opened the door
Someone or something has unlocked a new opportunity or insight that was previously unknown to me.
To the book of life, or is it death?
I question if this new discovery will lead me to a better or worse outcome in life.
Is there ever any way out?
I question if there is an escape from this new discovery or challenge.
Someone's looking down on me
I feel like someone or something is watching over me.
To the very inner core of my soul
This presence is reaching the deepest part of my being.
They won't tell me what they see
The presence or entity is not revealing its intentions or purpose to me.
But I really want to know
Despite the mystery, I am curious and eager to know what the presence or entity has in store for me.
I want to live my life on my own
I desire independence and control over my own life.
I want to lift the unturned stone
I want to explore and discover new things, to uncover the unknown.
I want to walk right into the fire
I am willing to take risks and face danger in pursuit of my desires.
I want to live out all my desires
I want to experience and fulfill all of my passions and dreams.
I want to go and see the fire burn
I want to witness and experience the intensity of life, even if it is painful or difficult.
I want to see and feel my world turn
I want to experience the world and feel all of the ups and downs that come with it.
I want to know what more there's to learn
I want to continue learning and growing for as long as I live.
I want to pass the point of no return
I want to take a leap of faith and commit to my desires completely, even if it means there is no turning back.
Do you really want to be
The artist is questioning the listener's intentions or desires.
Just another one statistic?
The singer questions if the listener wants to be just another average, unremarkable person who is easily forgotten.
Or feel that you really should aspire
The singer suggests that the listener should aim to achieve more, to set higher goals and dreams.
That you really do deserve more
The artist believes that the listener is worthy of great success and happiness.
Do you ever really feel
The artist is curious if the listener has ever desired more out of life.
That you have so much potential inside?
The artist believes that the listener has untapped potential and ability that has yet to be realized.
What you really have to give
The singer is suggesting that the listener has much more to offer the world than they currently are.
Could be realized much more
The artist believes that the listener's potential can be fully achieved and they should strive towards that end.
Time will flow
Time will continue to pass and move forward.
And I will follow
The singer will continue to live their life and move forward with time.
Time will go
Time will elapse and pass by.
But I will follow
The artist will keep moving forward, no matter how quickly time passes.
I want to feel what life's like respond
The artist wants to fully experience what life has to offer, to feel and respond to everything that is thrown their way.
I want to meet my father beyond
The singer wants to reach an understanding or connection with their father, whether he is still alive or not.
I want to walk right into the light
The singer desires to pursue truth and enlightenment, to have a clear understanding of the world around them.
I want to feel no fear but delight
The artist wishes to live a life free of fear or worry, experiencing only joy and happiness.
Time will flow
Time will continue to move forward.
And I will follow
The artist will keep moving forward with time.
Time will go
Time will continue to elapse and pass by.
But I will follow
The artist will persist and continue to move forward, no matter what.
Time will flow
Time will continue to move forward.
And I will follow
The singer will continue to live and move forward with time.
Time will go
Time will elapse and pass by.
But I will follow
The artist will persist and continue to move forward, despite the passage of time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it