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 Fallen Angel
Iron Maiden Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Demons are inside you and they're making their play
Watching and they're hiding as they wait for the time
For a devil to get ready and take over your mind
You and only God would know
What could be done
You and only God will know
You and only God would know
What could be done
You and only God will know
I am the chosen one
Could it be it's the end of our world?
All the things that we cherish and love
Nothing left but to face this all on my own
'Cause I am the chosen one
Could it be it's the end of our world?
All the things that we cherish and love
Nothing left but to face this all on my own
'Cause I am the chosen one
Beaten fallen angel but I've risen again
And the power is inside me, I've decided to pray
As I wait for Armageddon and it's coming my way
It's an honor to be chosen and I wait for the day
You and only God would know
What could be done
You and only God will know
I am the only one
You and only God would know
What could be done
You and only God will know
I am the chosen one
Could it be it's the end of my world?
All the things that we cherish and love
Nothing left but to face all this on my own
'Cause I am the chosen one
Could it be it's the end of our world?
All the things that we cherish and love
Nothing left but to face this all on my own
'Cause I am the chosen one
Could it be it's the end of our world?
All the things that we cherish and love
Nothing left but to face this all on my own
'Cause I am the chosen one
Could it be it's the end of our world?
All the things that we cherish and love
Nothing left but to face this all on my own
'Cause I am the chosen one
The lyrics of Iron Maiden's song "The Fallen Angel" appear to be about a person who is experiencing a spiritual and psychological struggle. The lyrics describe the presence of demons within the person and the potential for a devil to take over their mind. The person feels isolated and alone, unsure if anyone could understand the depths of their struggle. The lyrics suggest that only God could know what could be done to help the person, and that they feel chosen as part of a larger plan, despite facing a potential end of the world.
The lyrics seem to be drawing from Christian religious concepts, with references to demons, devils, and Armageddon. The idea of a "fallen angel" is also an allusion to the biblical story of Lucifer, the angel who rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven. The person in the song seems to be struggling with their own morality and spirituality, and is perhaps feeling overwhelmed by the forces of evil.
The final verse of the song offers some hope, with the person saying that they have risen again and have the power within them to pray. It is not clear if this means that the person has found some inner strength to overcome their struggles or if they have found solace in their faith, but it does suggest some kind of resolution.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Fallen Angel" are a poignant reflection on the struggle between good and evil, and the human capacity to overcome dark forces.
Line by Line Meaning
Azazel is beside you and he's playing the game
The Devil is always watching and waiting to manipulate and control you.
Demons are inside you and they're making their play
Negative thoughts and emotions can consume you and lead you down a dangerous path.
Watching and they're hiding as they wait for the time
The enemy will strike when you least expect it, so be vigilant at all times.
For a devil to get ready and take over your mind
You must guard your mind against negative influences, for once they take hold, it can be difficult to regain control.
You and only God would know
Only God truly understands what is happening in our lives and how we can overcome it.
What could be done
There may be solutions to our problems that we are unaware of, and only God can reveal them to us.
I am the only one
Each and every one of us is unique, and only we can make the choices that will determine our fate.
Could it be it's the end of our world?
When faced with difficult times, it can be easy to feel as though everything is coming to an end.
All the things that we cherish and love
The things that matter most to us are often the things that are most at risk.
Nothing left but to face this all on my own
Ultimately, we must each take responsibility for our own lives and decisions.
'Cause I am the chosen one
Even in the most difficult circumstances, we can find strength and purpose in knowing that we are chosen for a specific task.
Beaten fallen angel but I've risen again
No matter how far we may fall, it is always possible to rise again and find redemption.
And the power is inside me, I've decided to pray
True strength and power come not from external sources, but from within, where we can tap into the power of prayer and faith.
As I wait for Armageddon and it's coming my way
The end of the world may be approaching, but we must stay strong and keep the faith, for it is through faith that we can overcome even the most dire circumstances.
It's an honor to be chosen and I wait for the day
Being chosen for a divine purpose is a great honor, and we must stay focused and ready at all times for the day when our purpose will be revealed.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stephen Percy Harris, Adrian Frederick Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George Dill
on The Number of the Beast
kicking it